For those of you yet unaware, I indeed find a job. I am now recruiting sales people for a company who has essentially been around for nearly 100 years. So along with this stimlating position there are some entertaining details involved within the job that are infrequent but unavoidable. An example? Career Fairs.
This was my first. I was a Career Fair virgin and who better break me into this venture than my boss who was a seasoned veteran to meeting with different varieties of people. She explained there were the typical 'crazies' as well as the 'fair hoppers' who are people that make an appearance strictly for the free items scattered about on the tables. For instance, the hard candies, pencils, keychains and such thrown at the bottom of your purse when at these types of events and promptly forget about. These items are typically stumbled upon 3 months later usually met with irritation as the stray keychain gets shoved up your fingernail while searching for your keys in a poorly lit bar parking lot at 3am on a Sunday morning. Yes my friends, there are individuals that seek out these particular gatherings as if participating in a sick sort of scavenger hunt for garbage.
We were rewarded that day with a few prospective candidates, and a few without teeth. It was a full day of networking and exchanging of information amongst possible employers and potential contenders. A little after lunch I was inadvertantly introduced to what can only be called the Wicked Witch of the West. Allow me to paint a visual.
Imagine an older woman dressed all in teal with her dark hair slicked back into a ballerina bun perched at the top of her crown. Loose waggy skin under her arms and orange makeup poorly chosen to blend with pasty skin. Piercing eyes that were unfriendly and no smile in the forcast of this woman's lifetime. This vision approached and immediately made a distinct impression on me.
WWW; (Abruptly)"Excuse me, in order to work for your company do you need to have phone experience?"
Me; (Sweetly) "No not necessarily, we're looking for a certain personality, someone who can.." I was rudely cut off from my usual explaination by her snide tone.
WWW; (Snarling) "Well I applied once before with your company and was never called back." (Hmm now that's certainly a mystery) "I was told it was because I lacked phone experience, however you just said it wasn't a requirement"
Me; (Can you hear the sound of my backpedaling?)"Well, actually what I said was that it wasn't a necessary skill......" I could actually hear the theme song of the witch as she soars through the air on her bike with defenseless Toto in the basket as she interrupted once again.
WWW; (Maliciously) "Well I applied at the end of the year last year. I have administrative skills which is what I initially applied for but then also applied for sales and never got a call back."
Me; (Rapidly losing my patience) "Well ma'am I really couldn't tell you as I don't physically have the files right here, (me gesturing around that there are no hidden filing cabinets stuffed with rejected applications) all I can tell you is that we maintain your application for 6 months."
Okay I don't even know what that means exactly. It's not as if we're constantly digging through the monsterous metal filing cabinent for 6 months pulling them out and saying to each other, "Oh this one looks alright, why don't we give them another chance!?" It means we just file it as a courtesy in case an applicant calls we can pull them up and say, "Oh now I remember why we weren't calling them in for an interview" And do our best to break it to them gently.
WWW; "Well I didn't even get a call or an interview and I would really like a chance to be considered.
Um.....wouldn't anyone? So by now I'm starting to feel a little put on the spot and frankly a bit annoyed. Why am I the one sweating? Why am I the one feeling as if I am required to answer hard questions? She's the one that should be trying for a good impression!!
Me; (Done being sweet) "It could have been that we had other candidates that were a better fit at the time your application came through, there are several determining factors all I can suggest is to maybe reapply"
Which is when my manager piped up with,
Marcia; "Send me an email stating you are interested in being considered again for the position and we'll pull up your application to reconsider" But the best part of that statement is that she made no move to give the horrid woman a card to actually submit the email. Still scratching my head on how the lady in blue will accomplish this request.
WWW; (Snidely) "I would really appreciate a call or an interview, I am still very interested in the position". And hobbled away to torment the next unsuspecting booth with her rays of sunshine.
We quietly sat there frozen for the obligatory moments it took for her to be well out of earshot before I muttered to my supervisor;
"Hey, probably not a great plan to be rude to the recruiter of the company if you're looking to get an interview" She adamantly agreed and of course I then had to take it a step further and whip out my phone to capture a picture of this glorious wench. So while her back was turned (me being entirely too chicken to get a face shot for fear I would turn to stone) I snapped a photo of her while hassling the man directly in front of us.
I have included this for your enjoyment.
First thing tomorrow morning her application will be burned.
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