Job candidate laughs in the face of interviewer after their terrible offer: 'I didn't mean to I just burst out laughing'

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Brad Dickson • Managing Editor
Nov 2, 2024 6:00 PM EDT

When you've suffered through job hunting and interview processes to finally make it to the point of an offer, it's disheartening to realize that the wool has been pulled over your eyes… That there's actually been no chance at a job at all: they're just fishing to find someone desperate enough for a job that they can be properly exploited. Still, it's better than actually starting the job before the red flags start to pop up—at least marginally. 

This candidate reached the point of actually laughing in the interviewer's face when they were presented with an offer that they found to be—well, laughable. Everything seemed all well and good during the process; the gig was full-time as advertised despite not guaranteeing those hours. The point of issue came when the interviewer began describing the company's travel policy, as, you see, travel would be necessary for the role. As it turns out, the company expected their staff to share hotel rooms with complete strangers while traveling for work, which prompted the candidate's uncontrollable outburst. This, of course, put a quick end to the interview as the candidate then hurried to share what had just happened online.

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  • 01
    "I accidentally laughed in a job interviewer's face today at their terrible offer..."
    via Ahmet Kurt
  • 02
    Accidentally laughed in a job interviewers face today at their terrible offer. Applied for a job advertised as full time, full benefits upon start, no salary listed. Don't want to say exactly what, but it involves inventory.
    via hamsterdandy
  • 03
    The job was advertised as full time, but turns out they can't guarantee hours, so one week could be zero and the next could be fifty, according to her. Sixteen dollars an hour. You had to travel throughout the state using your own vehicle. You aren't paid while you drive, they consider it like a commute.
    via hamsterdandy
  • 04
    Here's the part where I laughed. While at different locations you have to stay overnight in a hotel they choose, which they pay for. Alright, I can deal with hotels, but you have to share the room with a stranger. Yeah. Insane. Sure they would be another employee, but as I said you travel all over the state. Could be anyone from anywhere. I didn't mean to I just burst out laughing, when she looked at me confused I just laughed and said "thats awful, people actually do that?"
    via hamsterdandy
  • 05
    She was upset, asked rather curtly if I would like to continue the interview and I said "God no," and hung up. Im not getting assaulted in a hotel for sixteen dollars an hour and zero hours. There should be laws against near everything they're doing. Absolutely insane.
    via hamsterdandy
  • 06
    Edit: to everyone saying the travel without pay is illegal, it is not in my state. Federal law specifies travel time must be paid from worksite to worksite. Since I would be leaving from home and driving to a site to work, this would not qualify. It would be like driving to work.
    via hamsterdandy
  • 07
    12h ago Edited 12h ago • $16/hr? You can probably make that babysitting a cash register somewhere. In some states, that's hardly above minimum wage... that's going to be one tough job to fill haha
    via hamsterdandy
  • 08
    RickMuffy 13h ago • lazy and proud that s ks you accidentally laughed at that offer. Next time this situation comes up, make sure you intentionally laugh. instead.
    via hamsterdandy
  • 09
    EnigmaGuy 12h ago "You could have just said no without laughing like the last 30 potential applicants I've vetted through the phone." -Interviewer, probably.
    via hamsterdandy
  • 10
    derfmcdoogal • 12h ago There are so many reasons from an employer standpoint NOT to do room sharing, there is only one reason TO do room sharing. I haven't worked anywhere that allowed that in 20 years.
    via hamsterdandy
  • 11
    Captain_Pink... . • 12h ago. lol... I had a similar reaction in an interview, before I realized how depressing it was. They wanted someone to rebuild the computer network in their 1000+ desk call center. There were a few red flags, but it seemed doable until we got to pay... They were prepared to go as high as $55k for the "right
    via hamsterdandy
  • 12
    candidate". I laughed out loud. They asked why and I told them they'd missed the mark by at least $100k. This was very funny to me until I thought about it a little more... this wasn't just a call center... it was a 911 call center... A private 911 call center. So next time your county commissioners suggest outsourcing your 911 service to save money, be sure to vote "no".
    via hamsterdandy
  • 13
    dsdvbguutres • 12h ago After accidentally laughing, you should have said: "I'm sorry. ... Oh, you're serious!" And laugh harder.
    via hamsterdandy
  • 14
    WalterCanFin... 12h ago. If a job requires you to travel more than 30 miles to reach another work assignment then travel time must be paid.
    via hamsterdandy
  • 15
    DanimalPlays • 12h ago . More people should do this. If they're basically going to try to force you into servitude, make them feel bad and stupid. They aren't being polite to you, why be polite back?
    via hamsterdandy
  • 16
    Solomon DRand • 12h ago . That's absurd. My local McDonald's has a higher starting wage.
    via hamsterdandy
  • 17
    KronkLaSwor... Yeah, that's a no. 13h ago
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  • 18
    Double-Phras... . 12h ago I did this in the military. But that's a whole other story.
    via hamsterdandy
  • 19
    jueidu 12h ago • Lmaooooooooo your reaction is perfect, exactly right.
    via hamsterdandy
  • 20
    Commentor9... • 12h ago. It's a laughable offer to be fair
    via hamsterdandy
  • 21
    LadyA052 12h ago • "HA HA HA I thought you said I'd have to share a room with a stranger, how ridiculous would that be? Oh sorry, you were serious?? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA." *click*
    via hamsterdandy
  • 22
    TredHed 12h ago • . "what's the budget for the role?" should be one of the first questions you ask, always
    via hamsterdandy
  • 23
    howardzen12 • 12h ago So many of these interviews are a big joke. These people are morons.
    via hamsterdandy
  • 24
    cerealfordinn... 10h ago. I love that you laughed. LOVE IT.
    via hamsterdandy
  • 25
    ajmampm99 · 1d ago Do they also post your pictures for predators to pick who they room with?!!
    via hamsterdandy
  • 26
    NathanBrazil2 • 1d ago that job should be at least $30 an hour, no sharing a room, full pay for travel time, .50 cents a mile to use your car, and a food stipend. what a joke.
    via hamsterdandy

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