Guy Blows His Job Interview After Being Rude To The "Receptionist" Who Turns Out To Be The Hiring Manager

Companies operate because of the collective efforts of each employee, from cleaners to owners. Each contribution is essential for a company to function as a well-oiled machine. 

The positions of employees symbolize puzzle pieces that fit together rather than a food chain where only the strongest survive. Therefore, it’s only right not to look down on employees, regardless of their position.

When you go to interviews, you try to bring your A-game to make yourself an easy hire. You’re either one of those people who are really confident and know they’re going to ace it or the type who over-prepares.

But what if you already sabotaged your interview right before it started? What’s worse is if you didn’t even realize that the ‘interview’ was already happening.

A Redditor posted in the subreddit r/LifeProTips about an experience with an applicant. They weren’t the ones interviewing him, but they witnessed the incident and saw how this applicant’s chances went down the toilet as soon as he stepped into the building.

It was all because of a test that he didn’t even know was already taking place. The test was tricky, but if you’re a company owner or the hiring manager, this is a surefire way to ensure your applicants treat everyone with respect.

This is the start of OP’s post

sawta2112

OP recalled that the applicant was greeted by the receptionist after stepping into the building, but he ignored her even as she made eye contact and ensured he knew she was acknowledging him.

sawta2112

The receptionist tried again to engage him in conversation, thinking maybe he was nervous, but he still dismissed her.

What he wasn’t aware of was that the receptionist was actually the hiring manager in disguise. Soon, when the hiring manager assessed that he really wouldn’t treat her respectfully, she spoke to him in the conference room to discuss how every employee in their company deserves respect, regardless of their position.

In the end, she was the one who dismissed him and told him that the interview was over.

sawta2112

Life Pro Tip: Be nice to everyone in the building

sawta2112

Since Redditors suggested that it might have just been nerves that made the applicant dismissive, OP stated it wasn’t the case and that it further proved the guy really had a bad attitude.

sawta2112

They dodged a bullet when they found out they shouldn't hire him

sawta2112

It’s a two-way street; even if you’re not technically part of the company yet, you should be treated with basic human respect.

fluentindothraki

Receptionists are an important welcoming committee that allows you to gauge how people are in the company.

iMuso

OP replied to one of the comments, stating how interviews could give you a gauge of whether the company would be a great fit for you.

sawta2112

This is even a bit strange since receptionists usually inform applicants to arrive earlier than their scheduled interviews.

ruellera

Some Redditors admitted to doing it, but in a different way.

SloppyPuppy

It turns out it is better since you’ll have time to go over what you need or to address unexpected issues.

TrendNowapp

For those who are about to go to interviews and want to arrive early but not sit around the building, you can follow this pro tip.

Elimaris

Continuation of the comment

Elimaris

There are companies that consider the opinions of their employees beyond the hiring team because they’ll be the ones working closely with the new hire.

unknown

I mean, they do actually need to know everyone and see the people who come into the company day in and day out.

CitizenHuman

The most important reason why you need to treat the receptionist well

SkinfluteHero

Actually, you need to treat all of them well.

SkinfluteHero

They can make your work life easier or complicate it with little things.

makama77

Redditors shared interview stories in the thread.

amonkeyfromthepast

OP clarified it with the company.

amonkeyfromthepast

In the end, it did not turn out great.

amonkeyfromthepast

Sometimes the problem lies with the company instead of the applicants, but they also try to undermine you, especially because you need something from them.

lmbrjck

A continuation of the comment

lmbrjck

If you want to go way beyond being nice, you can instantly try to befriend people when you get hired.

chzplz

From someone who’s in a high professional position, this Redditor confirms that it’s a great idea.

Qwenwhyfar

Being respectful and kind to strangers, especially if those strangers might become your future co-workers, is decent human behavior. The hiring manager’s test, although unconventional, created the perfect interview to filter out those who aren’t a good fit for their company without pretensions. 

If you were the hiring manager, would you have done the same thing? The comment section is open for your opinions.