Job seeker calls out interviewer for unprofessionalism after a day of playing phone tag with one another, causing them to miss their 30-minute lunch break: ‘I will not tolerate disrespect’

Author image for Lana DeGaetano
Lana DeGaetano • "Show me to me please."
Dec 24, 2024 10:00 AM EST

Phone tag might be fun when you're trying to get in touch with your best friends, but in the scope of the 21st-century hiring process, it reeks of unprofessionalism.

For those familiar with Fail Blog, this tale is of no surprise. Here, we want to project the narratives of those who have been wronged by people, but more specifically, their employers. Once you kick the little guy, you best believe we'll be writing about it. Job interviews are already a nerve-wracking experience, but when your interviewer proves to you that you are the least of their worries and take advantage of your precious time, it might be a good idea to give them a piece of your mind. After all, why would you want to work for a company like that anyway?

The original poster (OP) of this story missed their 30-minute lunch when their interviewer failed to contact them at the agreed-upon time. When the OP gives them the benefit of the doubt and chats with them the next day, the interviewer gets their name wrong and the OP loses it. Scroll to read.

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  • 01
    "I say NO, you and your company are the red flag."
    via Unsplash+ (Slashio Photography)
  • 02
    Am I wrong for what I said during an interview?
    via HippityHopitus10
  • 03
    My phone interview was scheduled for 1pm and was told to call at that time to speak to one of the regional sales managers. Only time I have for an interview is during my 30. minute lunch so I have to do interviews in my car.
    via HippityHopitus10
  • 04
    I call at that exact time in my car no answer. Wait 5 minutes call again no answer. I tell the recruiter what's going on. He apologizes saying I'm not the first one this has
    via HippityHopitus10
  • 05
    happened too. First Red Flag. One of them calls me back. Has no idea who I am says the other manager will do the interview and will call me right back.
    via HippityHopitus10
  • 06
    Waited the whole 30 minutes and did not call me back until an hour later when I was back at work. Wasted my half hour lunch and I could not eat my lunch. The recruiter told
    via HippityHopitus10
  • 07
    me they apologized and want to speak with me tomorrow morning. I thought okay let's give them another chance but let's really see if this recruiter is being honest.
    via HippityHopitus10

  • As you'll read, one commenter points out that calling a recruiter/interviewer is already a red flag. These companies should always seek out their prospective employees, not the other way around. Sometimes, phone tag can be a harmless misunderstanding at the hands of time. However, this job seeker missed his only chance for relaxation and sustenance for this interview. Even still, they try to give the interviewer the benefit of the doubt. That might've been a mistake.

  • 08
    Calls me on time at least the next morning. Calls me the incorrect name and says I haven't had time to view this beautiful resume
    via HippityHopitus10
  • 09
    of yours I'm just pulling it up now. 2nd red flag. Can you tell me more about your background? I say to him do you know what happened yesterday? He says I know
    via HippityHopitus10
  • 10
    there was a mix up in time. I explained to him that they strung me along for 30 minutes wasted my lunch time and I could not eat lunch. So why should I
    via HippityHopitus10
  • 11
    work for your company after doing that to me? What is so special about your company? Does not even apologize or care that they wasted my time. Proceeds to be
    via HippityHopitus10
  • 12
    sarcastic saying there's nothing special we're not busy at all. Listen we're extremely busy blah blah. I feel like I'm being attacked by someone I'm trying to give a job to and to be honest this is a red flag.
    via HippityHopitus10
  • 13
    I say NO you and your company are the red flag. Wasting my time. Not even an apology or a ounce of empathy and we end up telling each other off and I hung up the phone.
    via HippityHopitus10

  • This just goes to show that job seekers are often viewed as meat-suit automatons who don't have lives outside of work, or folks who don't even deserve to be called by the correct name. It's not difficult to put a scheduled interview in your Google Calendar, but apparently, it requires too much effort to actually adhere to the scheduled meeting time.

    I think it was right to call out the interviewer. If a prospective employee gives off the impression that they can be pushed around and the employer expects it, there's no telling what that company will do once you're bound to a contract. The original poster (OP) is a drop in the bucket of many job seekers who are reminded that they are simply pawns in the game of the workforce. Yet, one-by-one, instances like these will teach employers an important lesson.

     

  • 14
    I could smell the narcissistic and manipulation from miles away. I will not tolerate disrespect from these companies.
    via HippityHopitus10
  • 15
    Was I wrong to call him out during the interview?
    via HippityHopitus10
  • 16
    jTimb75 You should not have to call the company/interviewer. Interviewer/Recruiter is ALWAYS the one that calls the candidate. Unless it's a Teams/Zoom call then you log in at the designated time. I never call them, EVER. It's always been them calling
    via jTimb75
  • 17
    me. I actually had a recruiter from a company schedule a call with me on Tuesday. It was for 30 minutes. He was ten minutes late. He apologized but extended the call for 45 min. Didn't thank after that I stayed on etc. regardless they call you. Good luck
    via jTimb75
  • 18
    natewOw Was it a little unprofessional? Yeah, probably. But this was 100% not a company you wanted to work for anyway. If it was cathartic for you to do this, I say more power to you.
    via natewOw
  • 19
    Aggressive_Sta... Nope. Companies like this have to be called out. Who cares if you burned a bridge? Who cares if it's "unprofessional"? They're not courteous of you. You don't need to be courteous back.
    via Aggressive_Staff_982
  • 20
    billiarddaddy You were honest. They sound horribly unorganized. and just expect everyone to go along. You dodged a bullet.
    via billiarddaddy
  • 21
    MIXL_Music No. These companies look. to prey on those that will bend at the knee at any requests. This was possibly a test to see how you respond to last minute changes. You have every right to be mad and to snap at them. Fuck em.
    via MIXL__Music
  • 22
    cadaverousbones Nah good for you. These companies can crumble to the ground for all I care if they want to treat potential and current employees badly. They didn't even know your name lol.
    via cadaverousbones
  • 23
    ImpressiveSim... I would tell the recruiter too. Seriously. Especially if you're not the first, per your recruiter.
    via ImpressiveSimple8617

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workplace-stories toxic-workplace work askreddit reddit story horrible-management workplace Horrible Bosses reddit thread red flag job interview interview entitled people toxic-work-environment
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