Bristol, UK – Lae was left bewildered after what she thought was a canceled job interview turned out to be a test she failed. This experience led her to start her own business with a more straightforward hiring process.
According to the recruitment agency Hays, more than half of job seekers have encountered negative experiences during job interviews. The BBC has uncovered numerous stories of bizarre, offensive, and off-putting interview situations.
One example is Aixin Fu, who was asked to crawl and moo like a cow during a group interview for a student ambassador position. Despite feeling uncomfortable and pressured to participate, she went along with the unusual task.
Julie from Missouri, USA, learned that interviewers can sometimes be disconnected from the interviewee’s perspective. During a video interview for a copywriting job, she was asked about her retirement plans, highlighting the disconnect in understanding between interviewers and candidates.
Prejudice during interviews is not limited to age or behavior, as Pearl Kasirye found out during a job interview. She was asked about her heritage and was offered a different wage based on where she was originally from, leading her to withdraw her application.
Tom, an IT engineer, shared his experience of being asked to film answers instead of engaging in a face-to-face interview, making him feel detached and uncomfortable due to his preference for clear instructions and in-person interactions during interviews.
Gender discrimination is also prevalent in the hiring process, with many women being asked inappropriate questions about their marital or parental status. Khyati Sundaram, the chief executive of a hiring platform, highlighted the economic biases that impact decisions during the hiring process.
While some interview experiences are shaped by prejudice, others stem from a lack of standardized interview processes. Interviewers are encouraged to ask consistent questions to all candidates and design them with diversity and inclusivity in mind.
Aixin Fu emphasized the importance of standing up for oneself during interviews and rejecting tasks that are irrelevant to the job at hand. By asserting boundaries, candidates can navigate through challenging interview situations more effectively.