Many times there is a “question behind a question” in an interview. But, this week’s “What the?” story from our reader Jean has me wondering what it might be. Take a read and then weigh in with what you think the interviewer was getting at –or- was he just off his meds?
This was back when I was 22, fresh faced to NYC from Michigan. Terrified and had never worked in an office before, much less a high rise building. I landed an interview at a PR firm. I’d been there for hours, meeting everyone under the sun and was cleared
for the final interview. It was apparently customary at this firm for the president to meet everyone, even super junior hires. As I am being walked down the hall toward his suite I am told, in a nervous tone by the worried-looking HR person, that “he’s a little unusual” and informed that “he likes to ask questions to throw you off”. And, “Some candidates have walked out” when he does this.
Hmm. Even I, a total rube in the big city, figured this was not good. Desperate to start my career and life in New York, I figured these questions must be pretty bad if people who’d made it all the way thru a day of interviews at the company would actually walk out of there due to questions from this guy. How hard could the questions be? Revenues from 10 years prior? Name of some small client and their latest news? I began to mentally review all my company research notes as I was ushered down the hall and then into his huge, luxurious office.
The handsome president waved me to sit in what I have since learned was a very expensive office chair.
The guy bores his eyes into me and holds up an expensive pen- Mont Blanc or something like that. Engraved.
“I have just one question. If you answer it right you will get the job. What do you see when you see this pen?”
Ensues the conversation:
“A pen – a very nice one. A tool for communication and revolution. A means of writing. A way to report news.”
“No. What do you see?” Not smiling.
“An implement mightier than the sword. ”
“No what else?” Still in an utterly solemn tone of voice.
I start to smile broadly, muster charm and dredge up an interviewing strategy tip I read somewhere: “Highlight your strengths.” (Remember this was like my 2nd job interview ever.) “Mr. Smith I’d like to talk about my strengths and how they relate to this position at your firm.” (Pretty ballsy, since the guy was clearly trying to intimidate me and frankly, it was starting to work.)
“No. I want to you tell me what you see. Just stay on the pen.”
“I see a pen. And I’d really like to talk to you about why my skills are a fit for this job.”
He leans back in his chair and stays silent. Just looks at me. Moments later there’s a knock on the door- it’s the HR lady – and he says “We’re done.”
As I hit the Manhattan streets even I, an innocent from Michigan thought, “What WAS that? Was that guy being a jerk?” I found out the next day that EVERYONE liked me but him so no job. I have never regretted trying to deflect that stupid, irrelevant question.
So, what do you think? Is there a method to his madness or has he been sniffing too much glue in his spare time? Chime in below.
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“What the? – Strange Tales from the Job Search Front” is a weekly posting with the sole purpose of trying to infuse a little levity into your job search. For practical, tested and proven job search advice, please subscribe to my weekly ezine – Build the Career You Deserve – read by over 21,000 professionals.
Do you have strange tales from the job search? If so, please share them with us at ezine@www.careerattraction.com. (note – we will never reprint your story without your express consent).
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Kevin is the Founder of Build the Career You Deserve, a company devoted to empowering professionals with the vital tools and information necessary to find the job they want and build the successful career they deserve. Sign up for his free e-zine – Build the Career You Deserve – for insider tips on how to do just that!
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