Job seeker fails interview ‘within first five minutes’ after being ‘dismissive’ to receptionist who was actually the hiring manager

• One man’s blunder sparked a Reddit thread on interview etiquette
• This recruiter wanted to teach him a lesson by pretending to be a receptionist

Many of us have had a nightmare job interview – but have you ever had your interviewer roleplay as a receptionist to gauge if you’re polite to everybody in the workplace?

That was the case with one job hopeful who failed to secure the role and instead landed himself in hot water when he couldn’t even bother to acknowledge the receptionist. 

This interviewer simply used this method to ensure her hires are polite and respectful to all team members. 

The recruiter was so shocked by the applicant’s disregard for the ‘receptionist’ that she took to Reddit to convey her disbelief and warn others keen on bagging their dream job.

And it turns out your parents were right – basic manners and etiquette still go a long way.

The recruiter was so shocked by the applicant’s disregard for the ‘receptionist’ that she took to Reddit to convey her disbelief and warn others keen on bagging their dream job

The recruiter, who posted on Reddit imparted her wisdom after revealing to readers that she was the receptionist in disguise.

She said: ‘Today, a candidate blew his interview in the first 5 minutes after he entered the building. He was dismissive to the receptionist’.  

The hiring manager went on to explain that she went the extra mile to engage in niceties with the interviewee, who gave back nothing in return.

He barely made eye contact or expressed interest while chatting to the woman, who doubled as a receptionist and hiring manager on the day.

To the shock of the man, the same woman who greeted him on entry was in reality the same woman who decided his fate with the company. 

Amazingly, she put the man in his place, explaining that every employee matters and should be afforded the same dignity you’d show to your line manager.

She then disclosed the bad news to him: ‘Thank you for your time but the interview is over. Be nice to everyone in the building’.

The woman was praised on the Reddit Life Pro Tips thread, reassuring users that all is not lost and basic dignity is still valuable.

One said: ‘Bingo! After a candidate leaves one of the first things those involved in the interview will do is speak to the receptionist and ask them how the interviewee treated them.

‘The person could be the best person for the position but if they treated the receptionist like c***…they are done! If they treated the receptionist like s*** when on their best behaviour imagine how awful they will treat them once they get the job. The same goes for any cleaning staff. They are consulted, too.’

She then disclosed the bad news to him: ‘Thank you for your time but the interview is over. Be nice to everyone in the building’ 

Another Reddit user chimed in saying the reason they got a job was being polite to workers that not everybody thinks to value.

They said: ‘I got hired once because I held the door for the janitor coming in with his cart. The receptionist said, “that’s so nice of you”. 

The Reddit user went on to say: ‘I said it was just decency, but apparently, she was in the hiring manager’s ear later that day. The choice was between me, and someone more knowledgeable, but he was a p****… so they went with me’.

Others on the thread also warned the people of Reddit, saying it never hurts to be polite to any staff members you bump into on the day, irrespective of their ranking.

However, the user understood that some of us struggle with anxiety disorders. 

They said: ‘My only question about this is I have horrible anxiety and struggle to focus on stuff other than the actual process so I’m sure I’ve blanked on responding to a receptionist. 

They explained: ‘Not because I’m a rude person but purely because I just struggle to pay attention to everything because of the other stuff I’m thinking of. 

Finally adding: ‘So this is actually nice and reminds me I need to make sure to interact. Granted had I been not nice, I always make sure to apologise as soon as I am able to if I recognise it. Even if I don’t get the job’.

Was the interviewer too harsh when crushing this candidate’s dreams or did he deserve it? Let us know in the comments below.

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