A friendly tip for employers:

[raccoon]

Don't call people for interviews if you already know EXACTLY who you're going to hire.

It annoys the piss out of me for someone to call me for an interview, then I waste MY time and MY money going to wherever they are, taking the time to go for the interview, spending money on transportation, meals, dry cleaning bills, etc.

Thank the universe, I haven't been job seeking in a long, long time. In fact, I don't think I ever will again. Should I be laid off, I'll sell hot dogs from a cart. (sort of kidding there.)

As long as we're talking about job seeking, and jobs are so few these days, employers, be good and don't waste other people's time and money going for jobs they have no chance in hell of getting.
If they don't have a job, they probably are hard up for money anyway.

I just had to chime in on this...it's one of my pet peeves.

[undeterred]

1. And knock it off with the illegal questions.

We're not stupid. And while we know its a bad idea to call you on it during the interview, we may report you for asking the question and you may find out later that you were interviewing someone from the EEOC.

[Fozzledick]

2. Unfortunately it's often required by law

When I've had this happen its been for civil service jobs where they've already decided on an internal promotion but they're required to post all open positions. I understand the general attempt at public transparency in hiring, but it's still frustrating as hell when it happens.

[phantom power]

3. Law or the company's own internal policy.

[joeybee12]

6. True, but many companies post jobs where there aren't jobs, they just

want to get a feel for the market and make people come in and go through the porcess knowing there's not job that they're interviewing for...you'd think this would be illegal.

[jwirr]

4. Not to mention the cost of coming to the interview for nothing. I have

driven 100 miles for an interview just to learn they hired the receptionist.

[mrmpa]

5. Thank you so much for posting this.................

I have always hated this. I have spent an inordinate amount of time and money, going on interviews, for the end result..they hired from within. The company knew they were going to, it's just a sham.

If you really look at job postings, they are so precise and exact in the experience they want. You read the posting, know the job is within your knowledge and capabilities, but you just don't have those years of experience. It's a wonder anyone gets hired.

As for illegal questions, haven't been asked any yet, but there is time yet for that to happen. I had one interview, where everyone was younger than me, I saw a young, well built blond woman walking down the hall, and I knew I didn't have the job. I'm middle aged, brunette and the well built I once had is a lingering memory.

[Llewlladdwr]

7. There's a very simple solution for this.

Just put a statement near the top of your resume that reads something like this:

Please do not contact me for an interview unless you can guarantee that I already have the job. I don't want to wast my time on an interview that does not result in my hiring.

[Bunny]

8. That approach should land you plenty of jobs.

[raccoon]

9. Self delete, it isn't worth the effort. nt

[Nikia]

10. Some companies like to have a back up candidate

Like if their preferred candidate does not accept the job or suddenly gets arrested or dies. Some companies don't really know what they want. Other companies make the interview process into some elaborate contest where there are several rounds of interviews.

[mulsh]

11. or... if and when you realize you're in a bogus interview you

can have some fun. Start asking the interviewer inane questions. Ask if it's all right if you stand on the table or desk in the room.Then of course don't wait for a response just get up there. Pack a snack and start eating it during the interview. Extra points for making a mess. Extra extra points for offering the interview the last bite. Ask the interview about their criminal record. Probe them on the company's policy on embezzling. Mention you need to make personal, international phone calls on a regular basis during office hours and ask if they have a problem with that. Casually let it be know that you enjoy pilfering office supplies. use your imagination. have some fun the position has already been filled. you won't be going back there.


I've been on both sides of the equation and neither of them are all that much fun.

[raccoon]

12. Thanks for a good laugh! nt