So, I have worked in tech sales for most of my career and for the last two years in tech consulting. While both of these have their upsides as well as downsides, the people I worked with were always oustandingly professional. I have also wfh 80% currently. Also I almost exclusively communicated in English which means I always address people by their first name (can go either way in my language).
Had the first job interview in a while yesterday. Oh lord. It felt like a job interview 15 years ago.
Couple of highlights:
- Younger person, potential peer, greeted me and did not even dare to adress me directly (he did not want to ask whether we should use last or first name)
- They offer wfh but do want you to come to the office which is 60 minutes from my house (sure, cause nothing better than wasting two hours a day)
- Although they want a huge digital focus, most work (also with clients) NEEDS to be done in person (??)
- They asked what my parents do?? (I AM 40 YEARS OLD – they did not dare to ask my age though and I look a lot younger BUT STILL)
- Also they asked what my partner does?
- When the CEO asked my opinion on a couple of aspects, he “corrected” the view afterwards – WHY WOULD YOU ASK ME THEN – just to hear if my take is the “correct” one?
- Younger guy told me he liked to work there. When I asked why, he said the colleagues are interested enough to care where I want to go for lunch (?? THAT'S the higlight?)
They did try to smile and be nice, but…
(Before you say it's illegal to ask for any of these things: I am not from the US)