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I just have to share this job interview experience I had. It happened a long time ago…

To start off with, I got called for this interview in a very unconventional way. I had just ended a phone conversation during lunch when a guy sitting in front of my started a conversation with me. He was talking about how it was rude for the caller to have called and asked about some computer problems during my lunch time. Then he went on to tell me that his company is looking for people and asked if I knew anyone looking for a job. We exchanged business cards and then told him I will try and ask around.

That afternoon, he called and told me that he actually want me to attend the interview. Heck, why not? He’s seen how I handle users (from the phone conversation during lunch) and if he’s OK with my style, why not? I have a no-nonsense attitude when it comes to dealing with users and I am very practical.

That evening, I popped by his office and was led to the meeting room. He started off by saying he’s very unconventional in his approach, which was evident from how he approached me during lunch. I have to admit that I also prefer unconventional methods of scouting for people as some people can really be good at pretending (aka acting) during interview.

He asked me to tell him about myself which I did? The usual stuffs… What I do, where I studied, etc…

After that, the guy said he likes to size up candidates and says he’s very good at it. Again, I think this is a good skill to have. Many hiring managers lack this skill and end up hiring morons. Then he said he’s going to ask me a few questions and size me up. I’m game for it. After all, that is what the interview is about — we ask each other questions to find out more and size up one another.

First question. What is your impression of these people — gay, lesbian, homosexual?
From this question, I already knew everything I needed to know about my interviewer (and boss, if I am successful in the interview). Anyway, I told him it is not for me to judge a person’s personal preference. As long as in the office, they are professional in their approach and work, I have no issues. But I also added that biologically, there is a reason why only male and female are ‘compatible’.

Next, he went on to talk about how the company and that the company have a plant (factory plant, not the tree) in East Malaysia. He told me the plant was really big and it would take you like 40 minutes to walk from one end to the other. He said the person would need to occasionally travel and work at the plant. He shared about the last experience he had at the plant. Walked from one end to the other and by the time reached the end of the plants, he said his legs were so tired and wobbly, just like how it feels after a masturbation session (yup, exact words used).

OK, now I know he’s not really professional. I just gave nod.

He told me he’s a very open person. He don’t believe in having office mask and a personal mask. The interviewer says that he likes to keep things casual and just as an example of what he means by ‘open’, he gave this example — “It’s like when we go to the toilet. You look at my thing, I look at your thing, it’s nothing.”

Now I know he’s got nothing there…

He continued to talk about his approach and his management style. He said he don’t really like people who draw a clear line. He says he like to be ‘good friends’ with his team members. He says he’s approachable in every sense and there’s no line between office and personal. He went on the explain the term ‘personal’ — “When I say personal, I don’t mean we’re going to have sex.”

Sex. Male. Office. Hmmm… Wait, he didn’t say anything about touching…

Of course during the interview, there were also other things being discussed like what are the plans for the person in that position, responsibilities, etc… We also discussed about the package to which he had this to say, “When I first got this position, I told the MD that I will not discuss about what I expect. After 3 months, I will prove my worth and you pay me how much you think I deserve. After 3 months probation, I got a good re-adjustment. The point is, we should not get into too much detail about expected salary. I always take care of my team. As long as I’m happy, my team will be happy.”

I don’t know why but when he said that, images of Blue Oyster went through my mind along with a scene from Police Academy where this guy dropped a bar of soap in prison…

After like 30-40 minutes, the interview ended. Shook hands and left the place. The whole thing sounded silly. I shared it with a few friends and my brother. My brother said he was surprised I actually sat through the whole 40 minutes. He would have walked out like 5 minutes later. Well, I just wanted to be ‘professional’ about the whole thing.

A month after the interview, I saw an advertisement in the local papers for that position. I guess it was still not filled yet. I think it would be difficult to get that position filled if the interviews were conducted that way.

3 months later, I saw the same advertisement again…

Speaking of interviews, don’t you just get annoyed with companies that approach you first and tell you how you much they want you to join their company, how much you can contribute, etc and then 1 week later, they ‘disappear’ (probably to look for other options or maybe they went bankrupt overnight?!).