Recently we had one of our favorite Clients ask us to send her our best stories of disastrous experiences that happened in an interview so her CEO could give a speech at UNC on “marketing yourself”. (We all have had them being in the business we are in of [tag]recruiting[/tag].) Here are my two favorite:
I had a Senior AD start at an agency that was in a remote location - as in hard to find the [tag]pedigree[/tag] and person for it. He had several phone interviews and a three day in person interview - including drinks and dinner with the entire creative department. It was a done deal - love all around.
He moved to a really cool loft apartment and was ready to start work. He didn’t show up for four days - the CD called me, I called him - over and over again. We found his car, but no body. We considered calling the police. His mother even called the CD and began a conversation to find her son.
I talked to the Mother - Mothers always know. She confessed her son was a binge drinker - going on benders for 4 days at a time. He would rent a hotel room and drink himself silly.
Needless to say, the client was pissed. It wasn’t pretty. I left him a message and told him to listen to it when he was not naked, wearing a batman cape and trying to fly…”You are talented and you are fired, let me know if you want the number to a great therapist and rehab center…”
Story number 2 actually happed during an interview here at the Zoo for a Creative Recruiter to work on my team.
The internal recruiter and I were sitting in the conference room interviewing a possible Candidate to work for us. We were discussing Talent Zoo - the casual atmosphere - music playing through the office - dog days on Fridays and blah blah. Our internal recruiter wore a really light, yellow sundress that was somewhat low cut. She was giving her background telling of her experience - she also mentioned she was in a Fraternity (little sister). Then she continued to discuss the benefits of working at the Zoo.
The Candidate looked at her and asked, “Oh, so you are a transvestite?”
I sat there with my mouth open staring at our internal recruiter, with her “girls” bulging out of the top of her yellow sundress trying not to choke on laughter.
“Aren’t you a transvestite since you are in a fraternity and [tag]Talent Zoo[/tag] is gay friendly?”
It was like watching a tennis match of uncomfortable come backs -
The Candidate didn’t get the job - just because it comes into your head - doesn’t mean it should come out of your mouth…filter it.