Yes, I know it’s hard to believe, but I used to hire people. And I once had to fire someone for sleeping with a member of Congress—why did she TELL me?
Ah, good times.
Anyhow, Joann S. Lublin, writing in the WSJ, June 2, 2009, says some companies are putting applicants through so many paces they end up in tears.
They are asked to bring lunch, to bring years of W-2s, they have to do hours of simulated tasks, and fill out questionnaires and personality tests all day.
One office requires lunch hour karaoke, so I guess lip-syncing is tested.
One investment bank asked a woman to wear evening wear so they could see what she would look like entertaining customers.
This stuff makes the Spanish Inquisition look tame, one recruiter said.
How would you like to answer a question about how you would act if the boss’s gay son propositioned you?
What if someone said, “Tell me something with your eyes, arms, and legs at the same time”?
Perform a play with other applicants beside a highway?
Wow—how about a garden-variety casting couch and call it a day? Or ask people who Soljah Boy Tellem is to rule out people over 25?
You know what? Someday things will be a little less dire and we will remember where these bozos live and work.
One thing I have learned in this long life—what goes around comes around. They, too, might be facing a nice interview some day.
They better keep that evening gown clean.
