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Chronicle Live
National
Zahna Eklund & Catherine Addison-Swan

Boss explains reception trick test man failed 'within five minutes' of job interview

A boss has warned all job candidates to be mindful of their behaviour when they're interviewed for a position - and not just when it comes to dealing with the person carrying out your interview.

Posting on Reddit's Life Pro Tips forum, the hiring manager warned others not to make the same mistake as one of her most recent candidates, by reminding people that they should be on their best behaviour as soon as they enter the building. The error led to the man quickly being dismissed as a good fit for the job - before the interview itself had even begun, The Mirror reports.

The manager said: "Today, a candidate blew his interview in the first five minutes after he entered the building. He was dismissive to the receptionist. She greeted him and he barely made eye contact.

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"She tried to engage him in conversation. Again, no eye contact, and no interest in speaking with her. What the candidate did not realise was that the 'receptionist' was actually the hiring manager," she explained.

"She called him back to the conference room and explained how every single person on our team is valuable and worthy of respect. Due to his interaction with the 'receptionist', the hiring manager did not feel he was a good fit. Thank you for your time but the interview is over.

"Be nice to everyone in the building," the manager cautioned. And fellow Reddit users were quick to praise the clever method for weeding out unsuitable candidates.

One person said in response: "Bingo! After a candidate leaves one of the first things those involved in the interview will do is speak to the receptionist and ask them how the interviewee treated them. The person could be the best person for the position but if they treated the receptionist like c***, they are done.

"If they treated the receptionist like s*** when on their best behaviour, imagine how awful they will treat them once they get the job. The same goes for any cleaning staff. They are consulted, too," they added.

And another Reddit user shared: "I got hired once because I held the door for the janitor coming in with his cart. The receptionist said, 'that's so nice of you'.

"I said it was just decency, but apparently, she was in the hiring manager's ear later that day. The choice was between me, and someone more knowledgeable, but he was a p****... so they went with me."

Would you use this trick when deciding who to hire for a job? Let us know in the comments below.

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