Interview with a Vampire (and Other Assorted Characters)
If you get an interview, don't wear a vial of blood around your neck, refuse to pay for parking or let your fingernails pop off.
I recently met a fellow HR professional at a seminar. “M” and I struck up a friendly work related conversation and by lunch we were trading interview war stories. She shared this one first:
One time a woman came in for an interview wearing 6-inch pointy boots, Tammy Faye blue eye shadow and 3-inch fake, press-on fingernails. Shortly after she began speaking with the woman, the fingernails began to pop off. Halfway through the interview, half of the nails were on the floor. When they were finished the woman stood up and immediately fell. Apparently her boots were so tight they cut off the circulation to her feet. Lesson here – dress appropriately for an interview.
My turn. I had arranged for a candidate to meet with a manager in New York City for a technician position. The gentleman called the morning of the interview to confirm. OK, good start. Approximately 15 minutes prior to his appointment he called to say he was having a difficult time finding a parking spot.
He called back a few minutes later and said he still could not find a spot. The person who answered the phone, since he will be reading this article I will call him handsome “D,” told him that there were several parking lots and garages in the area. The candidate replied that he had no money. He called back a few more times to update his status – still no free parking spots to be found on a weekday on the west side of Manhattan. Shocking!
The candidate finally called and asked to speak to the manager he was supposed to meet with. The manager later shared the conversation with me, “Hey man, umm, I been driving around and can’t find a parking spot. So I am here on your loading dock, just come on down and we can have the interview here.”
Interestingly, the manager declined. But, he did peek out the window to get a look at the guy. He was dressed in shorts and was wearing a baseball cap.
Here is a tip: probably a good idea to anticipate that you will have to pay to park in NYC. Oh and, as previously mentioned, dress appropriately for an interview.
“M” went next. She had set-up an interview after hours because she was replacing a current employee. The candidate walked in dressed in black, head to toe. Dark black hair, accented underneath with bleached blonde hair.
They sat down to speak and “M” commented, “What an interesting necklace you have on."
“Thank you, it is a vial of blood," the candidate replied casually.
The woman went on to explain that she was a vampire. “M” told me the first thing that ran through her mind was, “I wonder if fangs are covered under our dental plan.” (See, you work in HR long enough and not much fazes you.)
“M” described the duties of the job and mentioned that the hours were 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Yup, you guessed it; the woman asked if night hours were available. I guess that bursting-into-flames-if-daylight-hits-you thing is not conducive to a productive day job. Please understand I have nothing against vampires. Robert Pattinson can take me out for a bite anytime. I even used to watch the soap opera “Dark Shadows” at my Aunt Barbara’s house.
The lesson is, if you are a “night" person you should seek employment with hours suited to your needs.
Interviews are difficult to get. Please, take every precaution to make sure yours is taken seriously. As the saying goes, “you never get a second chance to make a first impression.” Make yours memorable for the right reasons.
Jonathan Peebles
10:37 pm on Saturday, October 1, 2011
Not all Vampires have night jobs. Many actually have kids and regular jobs (during the day). That stupid myth about Vampires burning in the sunlight was started by the movie "Nosferatu" which is one reason I am so against that movie now; they just didn't want to get sued by the Stoker Family but still got in trouble. Vampires in mythology have little effect to the sunlight except it does bother them some but they will not die...
Bob from Irvington
2:03 am on Sunday, October 2, 2011
My landscaper is a vampire and he doesn't work at night either. Regular guy, has a couple of kids, he's a little on the intense side but really knows his stuff. He didn't mention it when I interviewed him for the job. It wasn't until months later, we had become friendly and went on hunting and fishing weekend together. One morning at breakfast, literally while he was passing the salt (no kidding), he matter of factly said, "You know I'm a vampire, right?" I was really taken aback. Needless to say it became the topic of conversation over our morning eggs. He mentioned that it had really changed his life, that both he and his wife had become vampires after living as non vampires for 20 years. He said that the choice just came to him one day while walking in the woods. Said it just hit him like a bat to the head. I asked if something had inspired it. He said there were a number of reasons. It gave him more clarity, spiced up his marriage, which I won't get into here, but most interesting was the case he made for vampires as being environmentally conscious. He explained it as, recycling of, he didn't use the word blood, it was materials and energy. Really interesting guy and as I say, our place looks great, he does a really fantastic job and I've yet to see a cape or a coffin.
johnnyangel10
7:51 am on Sunday, October 2, 2011
Some of the weirdos walking around in 'normal' apparel and make-up;I wonder when does Halloween stop or is it year round?
Lisa Stamatelos
9:31 pm on Sunday, October 2, 2011
In my world - year round!
Jill Bryant
8:22 am on Sunday, October 2, 2011
That would be "vial," not "vile."
Lisa Stamatelos
11:02 am on Sunday, October 2, 2011
Thanks Jill - I did not write the introduction - if you notice within the article (my writing) it is correct.
Satta Sarmah
8:28 am on Sunday, October 2, 2011
Thanks. We've made the correction.
Miguel Hernandez
10:31 am on Sunday, October 2, 2011
1. At the conclusion of a job interview the HR manager complimented me on my diction/pronounciation saying: "Miguel, you spoke very well and without an accent." I don't know what came over me but my response was: "Sank ju beri much bu if ju wan I can espeek weet a porrorican assent for abou fifsteen minou." ... I was not hired.
2. During a discussion about qualities that the agency was looking for in candidates, a fellow manager said: "They should be well dressed." Good advice but he had on a loud plaid jacket with a striped shirt and a polka-dit tie. His rumpled dark trousers were held up by a wide, white plastic belt. Actually, he was a very good manager giving lie to the old adage: " You can tell a good book by its cover."
Lisa Stamatelos
11:00 am on Sunday, October 2, 2011
LOL! excellent response Miguel.
Jonathan Peebles
5:27 pm on Sunday, October 2, 2011
I suppose if you are in a job interview you should dress the part and look nice because you cant always do whatever you want on the job. Most homosexuals wouldn't even let that out that they are homosexual on the job because people can be so prejudice and close minded. Your Lifestyle and sexual orientation have nothing to do with the job so that should not even come out in an interview. BTW Robert Patterson is an actor and not a real Vampire LOL...
RJ
6:41 pm on Sunday, October 2, 2011
Wow all the freaks came out to comment here today. Very entertaining. Thanks for the laughs!
Lisa Stamatelos
7:26 pm on Sunday, October 2, 2011
:)
Rebecca Mazin
9:28 am on Monday, October 3, 2011
Last week a candidate did not complete an application and told me they had a resume. When I asked for a copy they said it was on their IPad. They then went on to explain that they did not have access to a printer and asked if they could email the resume so I could print it later. I said sure and made appropriate notes on the top of the empty application.
Lisa Stamatelos
9:52 am on Monday, October 3, 2011
Rebecca - What? Your crytal ball was on the blink? You could not "feel" that this was a perfect candidate? LOL!
Lisa