How do you think employers would react if I said these things at an interview?

Question

I've learned the hard way that I need to show myself respect and be straight up with employers and interviews. Before an interview I spend hours preparing for it, the least they could do would be spend 5 minutes reading my cover letter and resume. If I walk into an interview and they haven't read my cover letter/resume yet I'm going to say "You haven't read (those) yet? I'm sorry but I spent hours preparing for this, the least you could do was spend 5 minutes; this shows me a lack of respect."

Next are the interviewer where they ONLY ask questions like "Tell me a time when..." I'm going to stop them and say "Well first can I ask, are all the questions going to be like that because I'm not comfortable with those types of interviews. If you don't want to get to know me personally please let me know now so I don't waste my time" (and having to keep BS'ing them).

Now don't assume I don't already know that most interviews are like that and they won't hire me it's about my self respect

and don't assume I don't already know that most employers will show me the door when I say that. I'm actually hoping they will so I don't waste my time, I'm just curious how you think they'll react. If they ask questions like "Tell me what you would do (in such and such situation) it'd be fine." But interviews where they ONLY ask "tell me a time in your past when..." bug me. They aren't taking the time to get to know me, and frankly I don't have an experience to match every single question. It doesn't mean I'm not the most qualified though because in most situations I apply for, I probably am.

Also don't assume I NEED a job or even want to work anymore. My ambitions have gone down the toilet. So being umemployeed doesn't bother me. No comments like "Well get ready for flipping burgers for the rest of your life" because I'd never take such a job

Answer 1

You show no one respect with your answers - and you're not being "straight up", you're being flippy and unprofessional.

If someone thought you were good enough for an interview, then someone must have read it at some point in time, unless they spread all of the resumes on the stairs and pick the ones that make it to the bottom.

Your history is all they can judge you on - and your ability to quickly recall details, places, people is a skill that is being judged - if you honestly say in 5 seconds, nope, never did that, without reflection - it shows how you would behave in the workplace.

Sorry that you're so burnt out, but I fail to understand why you would spend hours preparing for an interview - you already know who you are, you spent time on a good resume and cover letter - so cut yourself (and others) some slack. It's not a respect issue at all, it's a professional attitude.

Answer 2

1.) You spent hours preparing....they could care less. You'll sound like a complainer and a whiner right off the bat. They probably have hundreds of interviews to do, they don't need that pompous attitude.

2.) The resume/cover letter got you an interview. They want you to be able to think and answer questions on your feet.

3.) "Tell me a time when..." They want to see how you'd react in a situation. They want to get a glimpse of your personality; how you handle problems. These type of questions get at the very heart of who you are!

4.) Leave your "self-respect" at the door. You're at an interview to get a job. Respect is earned over time. To them you're just 1 of 10 peons they have to interview that day. You have to set yourself apart from the rest.

Answer 3

well it seems that you are already going into these interviews with a negative attitude and i'm not sure how much that can help you. employers base alot of things on first impression.

also, those questions about "tell me about a time..." are not BS questions. because they only have about a half hour to get to know you, they need to know how you've reacted to different situations. because if you give them an answer where it showed that you didnt think or act appropriately, it shows a sign of character that they may or may not want. only after they find out how you "work" as an employee will they start asking more relevant questions about the specific job you are interviewing for. because if you start the other way around, you (in turn) are wasting THEIR time. make sense now?

Answer 4

This sounds like fun. If you can afford to be unemployed for a good while, go for it. However, most, if not all, of the hiring managers that would be willing to hire you after hearing your answers would not ask those questions in the first place. Did you ever think that an employer might have hundreds of people coming in for an interview and might not be able to waste his/her time reading your cover letter and resume until he/she finds out if you can conduct yourself professionally? Maybe, as far as they are concerned, you have not yet earned enough respect for them to read your cover letter and resume. It's just a thought.

Answer 5

Those burgers you'll be flipping have a higher IQ than some of those alleged interviewers. They ask you " Tell me a time" tell them it never happened to you. They ask " What would you do ......" tell them I'll do whatever your company trains me to do. I've been on interviews where some of the most absurd questions were asked and at one I asked the person what does this have to do with the job. She couldn't answer except to say this is the script they had to follow. Like I said, some of those burgers have brains compared to interviewers.

Answer 6

"Also don't assume I NEED a job or even want to work anymore. My ambitions have gone down the toilet. So being umemployeed doesn't bother me."

So why should we assume that this is a serious question? Why should we respect you enough to give a real answer?

Darnit...I'm not going to give you any flippy answers. I'm saving that for MY comedy show!

Answer 7

And maybe they have heard it all and will listen patiently to you, before they drive to the hospital and watch their Mom, and hope they come out of that coma, maybe they go home and help clean up and dress their loved one or child. They need their job, if you don't.

When you really need to get a paid job, try making fun of yourself. Don't mistake a captive audience for potential fans, OK? An interview isn't an episode of Jerry Springer.

Answer 8

They wouldn't interview you if they haven't read your resume, but sometimes you need to do one more glance. They are busy too.

As for the "tell me a time when" questions. Those are called behavior based questions. A proper and LEGAL process of selection means that you ask all qualified candidates the same questions, therefore you are evaluating them against the same criteria. It's perfectly acceptable for you to ask them behavior based questions too.

If you came to my company with that attitude??? I wouldn't hire you to flip burgers or mop the floor.

Answer 9

Most of the time you will never see HR people after the interview anyway. Unless you have payroll issues or crap like that. they have a way of weeding out people by there response they give. Just get thru it and move on with working.

Answer 10

You stated what I, excuse me - they would do if you tried to 'take-over' a job interview, at any point. I, excuse me, they would, indeed show you the door, promptly.

It sounds as though you are experiencing rejection and compounding it with anger instead of introspection.

You are obviously articulate and might be an asset to most any company if you would take that chip off your shoulder.

Good luck.