Inspiring stories about job interviews

As managers or supervisors, we had our share of interviewing experiences and stories which can be humourous.

In the movie, the Pursuit of Happyness, based on a true story of a man named Christopher Gardner, “The day before the interview, Gardner grudgingly agrees to paint his apartment so as to postpone moving out due to his difficulty in paying the rent. While painting, Gardner is greeted by the police at his doorstep, who brings him to the station, stating he has to pay for his numerous parking tickets he has accumulated. As part of the sanction, Gardner is ordered to spend the night in jail, complicating his schedule for the interview the next morning. He manages to arrive at Dean Witter’s office on time, albeit still in his shabby clothes. Despite his appearance, he impresses the interviewers, and lands an internship.” (Source:Wikipedia).

Here is another similar story related by Bobbie M when she went for an interview for the job of a receptionist:

I once went on job interview where upon arrival I parked my car, got out, locked the door and immediately locked my thumb in the door. My keys were already in my purse. I yelled for help but no one came. People just looked at me and kept walking. I finally managed to twist and turn and get my keys out of my purse. I went ahead and went into the interview for a receptionist position. During the interview the interviewer asked me to take a typing test. I explained that I couldn’t take the test because of my thumb. I offered to come back the next day to take the typing test. The interviewer got me a cup of ice water and I soaked my thumb while we continued the interview. The next day I got a call from the company. I was hired without a typing test. They said anyone who could stay as calm and collected as I was with a thumb swollen and bruised was someone they certainly wanted to run their front office. I was with the company for three years and left as Office Manager.

Kairos Performance Learning conducts workshops on Competency Based Behavioural Interviewing as on-site or open enrolments.

For more information, write to: info@kairospl.com