'This girl told me how incompetent the receptionist was': 30+ Terrible job candidates who shocked their interviewers

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Remy Millisky • Writer and Editor
Jan 27, 2024 5:00 PM EST

How many chances should these interviewers have given their candidates? A lot of these interviewers were surprisingly lenient on their interviewees. 

Going for a job interview is one of those universally scary human experiences. Whether you're 15 or 55, it's still a nerve-wracking endeavor each time. You've got to print out your resumes, read up on the company, iron that business suit, and show up early with a smile on your face. If that seems like just the bare minimum for you, just read these anecdotes. It'll make you feel so much better about that one interview you completely bombed. 

I had no idea how many people like to show up to job interviews in dirty clothing! U/scorpioskillz asked, "Interviewers of Reddit, what's the worst interview you have ever conducted?" and the answers were stunning. A few of these managers greeted their job candidates only to realize the candidate was wearing a grubby tee shirt and shorts. Others didn't have a resume printed out, so they typed a sentence or two and called that their resume. 

Aside from that, a lot of folks just did not understand that if they act weirdly toward their interviewer or the receptionist, the job is not going to be theirs. Never ever underestimate office receptionists: they run everything, and their opinions can decide your fate. 

Check out these stories, then read about some people who acted totally ungrateful, like one woman who threw a tantrum over a laptop because it "wasn't brand new." 

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  • 01
    Co 'Man brought his own lunch to an interview because he was into lifting and needed to make sure he ate at certain times. He started eating said meal during the interview' 1030
    via Victor Freitas on Unsplash
  • 02
    Interviewers of Reddit, what's the worst interview you have ever conducted?
    via u/scorpioskillz
  • 03
    httphaimish Had an older gentleman interview. At the end I explained that the background check form is sent to his email and all he has to do is go fill it out. He didn't understand this concept at all, despite me explaining it 4 times. He kept asking me where he would have to take the paper work, I said there is no paperwork it's just a form you fill out online (like our application) & it's all done electronically. He then
    via u/httphaimish
  • 04
    asked who does it, I told him the company name, & he insisted that somehow our county would need to process the information & how did he do that? I kept telling him, all you do is open the email, click the link, fill it out and click submit. Boom done... he left still confused and said he'd have someone at home explain it. Crazy enough we did hire this guy and when I called him to schedule his orientation he yelled at me because the 4pm class time was too late, even though I had told
    via u/httphaimish
  • 05
    him there was also a 9am morning class the next week he could attend. He still kept yelling about how "no one wants to do it that late, we have lives, my day's already started I can't interrupt my day that late." He had no concept that 1. We hire people for 3rd shift jobs or people who already have day jobs and 2. The world does not revolve around your ideal schedule.
    via u/httphaimish
  • 06
    el_monstruo Had a young gentleman come in, not dressed for the occasion posture was horrible as he was slouched over on the table. The interview committee introduces themselves and give him the chance for an introduction. He just says "Look, I'm going to be real honest. My dad is making me go on interviews or else he's going to stop paying my bills." We continued
    via u/el_monstruo
  • 07
    through the interview and he actually answered questions genuinely but it sucked wasting time on somebody we knew we were not going to give the position.
    via u/el_monstruo
  • 08
    last_711_hotdog Had a lady show up and interviewed with her child and husband. I told her she was welcome to let them sit in the lobby while we interviewed, but for some reason she declined. So we did an entire interview while she held a toddler.
    via u/last_711_hotdog
  • 09
    RaineBear NW I was interviewing at a hiring event, and had a few people scheduled for interviews that completed the application online and did the pre-screening interview over the phone. For people that did not, they could get stuck there for over an hour waiting to go through the multi-step process, so I took appointment times seriously. I was the only person hiring for my department so anyone applying for anything in housekeeping had to do
    via u/RaineBear
  • 10
    an interview with me, specifically. One girl was not on time for her appointment so I started working through the other 6 or so applicants that had already been there 45 minutes. Shortly after I started one interview the girl finally showed up, about 25 minutes late. The woman signing everyone in happened to be the recruitment manager for the region, and the girl that showed up late was to her when she wasn't immediately sent to me to interview. The
    via u/RaineBear
  • 11
    recruitment manager told her that I was with someone and would be available soon, but the girl could not believe how we were to "bump" her appointment and not be available for her. She got up to complain to the recruiter several times, called her unprofessional and disorganized, and like that. So I got done with the interview I was in and the recruitment manager pulled me aside to warn me. At this point I'm just humoring the girl and planned to do a quick 3- 5 minute interview so I
    via u/RaineBear
  • 12
    could get to better applicants. This girl told me how incompetent the "receptionist" was on our walk to the interview room. I asked the same basic questions I ask everyone and instead of talking herself up she explained that every coworker she ever has is horrible and lazy. She said that as a mother of 2 she's much more organized than other people. She insinuated that I was incompetent at my job for not being able to see her right when she walked in. Like
    via u/RaineBear
  • 13
    I felt like I had to defend myself during her interview it was so bad. She was a horrible person! Don't know why she thought insulting everyone would get her a job.
    via u/RaineBear
  • 14
    PRMan99 Easy. I was interviewing for a junior programmer position. We were looking for someone to train for a cheaper rate. Kid pretty fresh out of college shows up for the interview with his mom. Now, this is OK. Things happen sometimes. One time a girl's car was in the shop. One time it was over 100° outside and dad asked if he could sit in the lobby. No big deal.
    via u/PRMan99
  • 15
    But this mom insisted on going into the interview room with her son. I asked her if she planned to show up to work with him every day for his full shift. She said no so then I told her that I was going to have to interview him alone. At this, she INSISTED that she go into the interview room with him and she WOULD NOT TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER.
    via u/PRMan99
  • 16
    So I responded with, "OK, in that case, this interview is over." The kid got the biggest grin I have ever seen at seeing his mother punished for this sort of behavior. I genuinely hope that he could finally cut the cord and make something out of his life.
    via u/PRMan99
  • 17
    Kiki_Masala Man brought his own lunch to an interview because he was into lifting and needed to make sure he ate at certain times. Started eating said meal during interview.
    via u/Kiki_Masala
  • 18
    2001 broganisms Job interview: Had someone no-show on an interview. They called back a week later to see if they got the job. Press interview: We had given our main camera operator the day off and our other camera operator showed up five hours late with no notice. Our sound recordist called in sick. I got to conduct one of our highest profile interviews while simultaneously
    via u/broganisms
  • 19
    operating camera and sound. Someone accidentally formatted the card minutes later and all the footage was lost.
    via u/broganisms
  • 20
    VanFailin I once gave an interview to a guy that had like ten years' worth of programming jobs but couldn't write a single line of code to solve the interview question. It was apparent in about ten minutes that he wasn't going to figure it out, but we either couldn't or wouldn't just cut it short and show him the door.
    via u/VanFailin
  • 21
    Nevermind04 She had a pretty middle of the road resume with 2 years of relevant experience. I reviewed the notes for her first interview with HR which basically said that she was polite but nervous. I was conducting the technical interview. I started off by establishing that she had done well in the first interview to try to alleviate some of her stress. She argued with me, insisting that it had not gone well. Whatever, maybe that's how she's expressing anxiety. I
    via u/Nevermind04
  • 22
    moved on, trying to boost confidence by handing her a softball question. I presented a simple problem that was exactly tailored to the type of work she had been doing with a platform that I was familiar with. It was the type of problem that you would almost certainly experience multiple times if you had worked with this product for a short amount of time. She accused me of sexism for questioning her resume (which is the literal function of an interview) and refused to acknowledge the question.
    via u/Nevermind04
  • 23
    At that point, I offered her some coffee, and stepped out to call HR, legal, and security. I assumed that she was a litigious predator looking to sue a company for discrimination, so we had security her from the building as HR observed, and legal immediately took possession of my notes and audio recording. Sure enough, she sued. Her case was dismissed, she appealed, and it was dismissed again. Then, she sued me personally and her case was dismissed.
    via u/Nevermind04
  • 24
    ✪ [deleted] A girl who gave one word answers. She got the job because the director knew her.
    via u/ [deleted]
  • 25
    BigPterodactyl Had an interview no- show during peak season. Dude showed up, I asked if he was so- and-so, and he said "yeah". Aside from mostly grunting like a cave-man, he had an odor that caused me to condense the interview I to a few short and sweet questions. Turns out the no-show actually rescheduled for later that day and I missed the memo. Never found out who that guy was or how he got into the office.
    via u/BigPterodactyl
  • 26
    PreviousStrike Not the interviewer but the interviewe. Every time id laugh the interviewer would fake laugh louder and stare at me awkwardly. I'd then get self conscious and stop laughing mid way through my laugh.
    via u/PreviousStrike
  • 27
    [deleted] A woman that went off on massive tangents every single question. For example; Q: You said you had negotiation training, can you explain exactly what you received? A: Yes, I went to training on with my current role. We got driven to the place by the rudest taxi driver I have ever meet! He was was eating some chips with toppings on it! Like cheese and stuff!
    via u/[deleted]
  • 28
    Have you ever had American Cheeder? It's to die for...etc. We had to constantly interpret to get her back on track. It was a panel of three and two of us thought it was insanely funny and had to hide our faces. It was super obvious but the lady didn't notice. One of the panel though had no time for this and was getting really angry. During one question the lady ended up talking about a seal that she saw on the beach and my coworker put up their hand and just 'For
    via u/[deleted]
  • 29
    the love of God stop'. We then concluded the interview. You would have no idea this woman totally bombed this as she was happy as Larry and chatting away. The woman then said "I look forward to hearing from you" my coworker responded with "Well you really shouldn't" It was easily the best/worst interview I have ever been a part of, and I think about that woman and her seal often.
    via u/[deleted]
  • 30
    KensAscot Acted like she was interviewing us the entire time. I could see on her face that she really thought she had us under her thumb with her attempt at manipulation; trying to convince my co-owner and I that WE needed to impress HER. She admitted she had no interest in the main components of our business, and no experience in the field what-so-ever. At the end of the interview she shook my hand and said
    via u/KensAscot
  • 31
    "We will be in touch." Who is "we"?? She e- mailed me a week later letting me know she would be taking the position with us (as though we had offered it to her). I politely told her we were not interested, and used my business term for " of luck to you in your future endeavors." you": "Best
    via u/KensAscot
  • 32
    fistymd A young guy came into my pizza shop wearing a dirty t-shirt and basketball shorts asking if we were hiring, I told him to come in the next day for a screening interview. Comes in the next day wearing the same t-shirt and basketball shorts. and this time he's brought a deck of playing cards with him. I proceed through the interview and learn he's an
    via u/fistymd
  • 33
    aspiring magician, and that's cool he has something he's passionate about. At one point he flat out asks me if once he's learned how to make pizzas if instead, he could just do magic tricks for the customers. I said no and immediately ended the interview.
    via u/fistymd
  • 34
    Fyghter I run gyms. The jobs we have are admittedly easy, but we still like to give people a clean place to workout in and a friendly person to speak with when you come in. Gentleman in his 50's comes in, 10 minutes late, hops off a motorcycle wearing beat up jeans and a shirt that was very close to Zach Galifinakis' wolf howl shirt from the Hangover. Walks in, ignores my current front desk staff walks to the middle of the gym and asks,
    via u/Fyghter
  • 35
    "Where's Fyghter?" I had been waiting for him so I introduced myself and we walked back to my office. The whole time he is talking about how much he used to lift and how every woman in the gyms he used to workout in, would just throw themselves at him. We sit down and I am already irritated. I ask a few normal interview questions. I tell him that I want to cover the job duties so if we hire him he knows what I expect. He gets visibly irritated but I ignore it and keep talking. He
    via u/Fyghter
  • 36
    blurts out about three sentences in, "I mean, it's a gym right? These practically run themselves?" I asked him to leave and he called me a millennial soft that didn't know from a hole in my the ground.
    via u/Fyghter
  • 37
    darksquidlightskin Working in staffing so I've got few. The people that always smell like _.... and don't bathe are always up there. The room shouldn't stink 10 minutes after you leave. But the worst would have to be the single mother of 5 who had zero ambition or will to work. Didn't even try to answer questions. Told me multiple times idk. I was practically serving
    via u/darksquidlightskin
  • 38
    up answers for her and she just wouldn't be genuine. Asked how many more questions I had because she needed to leave. Lady, I know you needed that job but I just couldn't hire you compared to the others who took it serious.
    via u/darksquidlightskin
  • 39
    Panicked Poodle I have an opposite story: the first 10 minutes of the interview involved the hiring manager looking confused and asking vague questions. She finally burst out with "OH, you're the WRONG Panicked Poodle." Turns out she had two candidates with the same first name and she scheduled an interview with me by accident. Thankfully, her boss also interviewed me and I was able to impress that person and get the offer, despite the cursory first interview.
    via u/Panicked Poodle
  • 40
    unrequited love58 Dude got so worked up that he couldn't divide 15 by 2. He just froze. I usually love running interviews. I did not love running that one.
    via u/unrequited love5
  • 41
    manymoreways His dad followed him into the interview. At first we thought he was just there to drop off his son, but he entered the interview room. My supervisor even tried to stop the dad from entering, but once he saw his dad not going into the room he went back out. We both didn't have the heart to shut them down right then and there. So we went along with the process. The kid seemed nice enough but the problem was the dad
    via u/manymoreways
  • 42
    was answering all of the question till the point where my supervisor got flustered and told the dad to let his son answer the questions. When his dad let the son answer the question he would look at his dad while speaking to us. He could not maintain eye contact with either of us. It was hilarious as it is sad. After the interview the dad is almost begging us to take his son. It was a really low risk position, so we let him in.
    via u/manymoreways
  • 43
    He lasted about 3 months and never got through probation. The other technicians came together and said it was too dangerous to keep him in the team. We gave him pretty much the lowest risk job there is and still he manage to find ways to scare the out of us.
    via u/manymoreways
  • 44
    DawdlingPinkLady Hiring for maid company.. Question 1: how does cleaning make you feel? Answer: "I mean, It's annoying and gross but you pay good" Question 2: if you found a $100 bill under the bed what would you do? Answer: "I should say turn it in but I'm honest- I'd stick it in my pocket, they obviously didn't need it if it's there" No question 3, bye now.
    via u/DawdlingPinkLady
  • 45
    [deleted] This one didn't even make it to the interview table. Was set to interview some Bozo at 2:30pm. I would usually get into work around 9:30- 11:00am. I arrive at 10am and Co-Worker was totally stunned that Bozo called at 8am and demanded my personal mobile number so he could call/text me that he wanted to come in earlier because he had " to do "important that afternoon and he wanted to come in
    via u/[deleted]
  • 46
    earlier. Co-Worker denied Bozo his request. Bozo then said, "Ok, well when does he get in? I'll just be there waiting" Co-Worker accurately advised Bozo this was a BAD idea. Bozo gets angry with Co-Worker and threatens her "When I get hired as your new boss, you can kiss your job goodbye sweetie" Called Bozo and promptly cancelled the interview. Bozo then got aggressive towards me.
    via u/[deleted]
  • 47
    theangryburrito Myself and another male manager are a candidates 3rd interview of the day. His previous meetings have been with women. With all of the women he was super polite and professional, but when he got to the interview with two males he went full wall street bro. Started the interview dropping the F Bomb in the first sentence. He was a completely different person around us. It was so weird when we all compared notes afterward
    via u/theangryburrito
  • 48
    Blindingnight Mid 20s girl comes for an interview. We asked her why she wanted to work in the medical field and she proceeded to start bawling her eyes out and telling us a story of her dead grandpa. She couldn't compose herself. We had to stop the interview altogether to get her tissues. We asked how long it had been since he passed (assuming it was recent by her intense emotional reaction). Nope. He died when she was 8. NEXXXXXT.
    via u/Blindingnight
  • 49
    Zodree Came in wearing overalls to an interview for an accountant position with a university's department of engineering. Me: "This position requires you to speak English and French, do you speak French fluently?" Overalls: "No." Me: "Um, okay. Do you have experience working in finance?" Overalls: "No."
    via u/Zodree
  • 50
    Me: "Do you have similar experience or education that would make you suitable for this position?" Overalls: "No." Me: "Okay that's all, thanks. Have a good day." Overall: "Do I have the job?" Me: "No."
    via u/Zodree
  • 51
    [deleted] Not an interview, but received a resume with applicants name, address, phone, email, birthday....and one bullet point under work experience that said "wore shoes to work and work shirt." I did not offer this individual an interview
    via u/[deleted]
  • 52
    CoffeeOverChocolate · I asked a research master graduate how would he form his opinion on a matter with very controversial opinions about an established fact. And he answer that he will go and ask an opinion from a trusted person, as that person is always right.
    via u/CoffeeOverChocolate
  • 53
    rattymcratface Had an interviewee hit on our receptionist in a way that creeped her out.
    via u/rattymcratface
  • 54
    B_Huij Not my story. But a former employer of my brother had the best story ever. Guy came into the building inquiring about openings. It was a medical records data entry type place, so some entry level positions usually open. They asked the guy if he had a resume. He said no. They told him to drop one off or email it in and they'd set up an interview.
    via u/B_Huij
  • 55
    The next day the guy is back. He has a sheet of paper in his hands that was clearly printed from Notepad (default font and everything). The paper is entirely blank except the top left corner which says: "I work at century lonk" My brother and I joke to this day about working at century lonk.
    via u/B_Huij
  • 56
    corkykatt The girl walked in, used her fingers to remove the 1 of gum in her mouth and throw it in the trash, and proceeded to shake hands with everyone on the panel. When she got to me, I just gave her a little wave. So disgusting.... And she didn't get the job.
    via u/corkykatt
  • 57
    ItsGettingStrangeLou. We were hiring for a desktop support role, almost every answer the guy gave was - "I dont know about that but I'm a real fast learner and hard worker."
    via u/ItsGettingStrangeLou
  • 58
    qwasymoto I won't say "bad." Maybe bizarre? My job is mostly conducting phone interviews. Pretty standard stuff. I explained to a candidate that the question would best be answered using the STAR format...again, pretty standard.
    via u/qwasymoto
  • 59
    He then told me it didn't apply to his job, his sales numbers spoke for themselves and proved he was successful. Interestingly enough, his numbers showed he was mid-pack (at best), and had mostly incomplete data for recent years. (I interview salespeople.) I'm still not sure what he was trying to accomplish by dodging the question. Lol.
    via u/qwasymoto
  • 60
    tatumhe I work for a well known german company and asked the candidate if he picked up any german in his study abroad to Austria. He answered, "No, I think German is a harsh language". Thank goddess that was a phone interview because our faces were priceless
    via u/tatumhe
  • 61
    Dillberry_pie This is by far the weirdest interview I have ever experienced which also made me wonder what do you do when your interviewer is crossing the line I was being interviewed for a graphic design position at very well known tradie servicing company I applied for the job the night before and the next day around 5pm I get a call from an unknown number. I thought for sure it was
    via u/Dillberry_pie
  • 62
    the company I had applied for the night before. I thought I'd answer and politely ask if I could call back tomorrow as I had to stay back and work on a urgent job. He said he would only be 5mins and then he would let me get back to it...he was not During the phone interview he discovered that I lived around the corner from where he works and asked if I could come in right now for an interview. I said it's currently 5pm and even though I live around the corner I'm currently at work which
    via u/Dillberry_pie
  • 63
    is 1h away. I suggested if he didn't mind an after hours interview I could do the next day. He agreed After a 30min phone interview I finally get off the phone and get back to work. He then proceeds to message my phone asking a few follow up questions which I found weird but went along with it and answered his follow up questions. First red flag The next day I left work early in hopes of getting to this job interview on time but then it all goes down hill. He calls me
    via u/Dillberry_pie
  • 64
    mid way through me driving to his office and tells me he needs to change the meeting location to a suburb I wasn't familiar with. I informed him that if he changed the location this would effect the time I meet him. He agreed and I asked him to send me the new address. I figured he was doing me a favour by meeting me after hours so I should go with it. He sends through the address and I put it into Google Maps only to discover it was a McDonald's. Second red flag
    via u/Dillberry_pie
  • 65
    Traffic was terrible that day making it such a mission to get to this guy. After 2h of... I finally made it. Mind you, throughout all of this he is still calling and messaging me I let him know I've made it and go inside and wait. I'm waiting a good 10mins and he finally shows up but he isn't alone. He brought his kid to my interview @ McDonald's, because sure why the not. I was already weirded out by having my interview at McDonald's and then him bringing his kid along just made it even
    via u/Dillberry_pie
  • 66
    weirder. All alarm bells are ringing at this point. I needed to get away from this guy He tells me to stay put as he orders a Happy Meal for his kid and then proceeds to sit down infront of me with his kid on his lap whilst his kid ate some McDonald's It was really hard to take him seriously and answer questions as professionally as I can. He was also on his phone and taking calls during my interview and I was just so taken aback. I find out he was actually the CEO of the
    via u/Dillberry_pie
  • 67
    company which made it even more messed up During our interview we find out we had a mutual friend. I didn't think much of it at the time but it will later haunt me. He was also pretty keen to talk to my current boss but I had told him my boss doesn't know I'm looking but please call these references instead The interview ends and I'm already thinking to myself no way am I accepting his job, I knew this guy wanted me though but I didn't want him. Didn't want to deal
    via u/Dillberry_pie
  • 68
    with that crazy The next day I find out he started to call and harass our mutual friend for more information on me when I hadn't given him permission to do so nor had I put my friend as a point of contact. This made me very uncomfortable because there was nothing stopping him from calling up my work place and asking to speak with my boss He does call one of my approved references though which was my creative director but was actually trying to
    via u/Dillberry_pie
  • 69
    organise a deal between him and my work place. He wanted to utilise my position to his advantage which really me off. He wanted me to work at my current job 2 days a week and then work for him 3 days a week. My creative director went along with it too which made me more angry!! Either way, I thought this guy was messed up and I decline his job offer. He then asked me to work for him on weekends and I said no
    via u/Dillberry_pie
  • 70
    I thought that was the end of it but nooooo, it wasn't. He then organises a meeting with my creative director AND my boss and comes into my office I was unfortunately the closest to the door so would always greet people. When I saw his face I was so cold to him. I couldn't believe he crossed the line and came into my work place and I couldn't believe my creative director even allowed it! Either way, he became a client of ours and we all started doing work for him. everyone referred to him as my
    via u/Dillberry_pie
  • 71
    'mate' and my creative director told me my boss knows I'm looking for a job thanks to this guy. I refused to do work for this guy because it was just so weird and messed up. I felt sick to my stomach and was so stressed out Get this, my creative director also got a bonus for getting him on board which made me even angrier and more of a reason to leave that God place. What a unethical way to get a client
    via u/Dillberry_pie
  • 72
    He was truely a disgusting human who used me to his advantage and I didn't even work for him. Just had an interview. Even though I've moved on since then that really has haunted me and makes me angry that I couldn't do anything when he was being really unprofessional
    via u/Dillberry_pie
  • 73
    Syntactic Acrobatics A month ago we interviewed an engineer who was extremely charismatic and had years of relevant experience. My partner asked him for a college transcript after 15 minutes. The interview goes very smoothly and we really like the guy. At 30 minutes, my partner pushes the transcript to me. At 40 minutes, I take a look at the transcript to find a -2.1 cumulative GPA with his major GPA about the same.
    via u/Syntactic Acrobatics
  • 74
    I thought, ok sure this guy got some consistent Cs and Ds, but maybe he absorbed a lot and just tested poorly? I asked him about experience working through some technical engineering challenges that involved some science or math. Suddenly all of his glow faded and he seemed like he stopped having fun. He was unable to come up with any technical examples. We liked him a lot until that point and whole- heartedly wished him the best, but didn't extend an offer.
    via u/Syntactic Acrobatics
  • 75
    donuthazard I'm a hiring manager. A shocking number of people will be argumentative and/or on the phone and it astounds me. Why bother even answering the phone if the job isn't what you're looking for? And if how I run my teams is not in line with what you're looking for, just tell me and we can both be on our way. Don't be belligerent!
    via u/donuthazard
  • 76
    Also interviewed a seemingly nice guy who, after the interview, went into sordid drama about his ex-coworkers (who were all out to get him) and his neighbors (who were all out to get him) and his car (which was a lemon because the car dealer was out to get him). It's too bad because he seemed nice, and was certainly qualified but... no.
    via u/donuthazard

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