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Super uuggghh! It’s these kinds of stories that make Gen Y look bad. Today’s horror story circulated in the Twitterverse among new and seasoned PR pros about the worst-practices intern applicant in South Florida. The applicant turned in a shoddy writing test, criticized the hiring manager’s teaching attempts as well as the agency’s own work, dragged out the dialog with personal attacks and near defamation.
You can read the blow-by-blow here. Let’s try and make this a learning opportunity.
Lessons from the Candidate from Hell
1. DO NOT ever argue, lie, criticize or belittle anyone during your job search.
2. DO learn to take criticism, constructive or not, with grace.
3. DO NOT underestimate the importance of details during the application process. While “on paper” the candidate for this job appeared qualified, it’s small touches like enthusiasm for learning, proper e-mails, responsiveness and professionalism that make a memorable impression.
4. DO be justifiably confident. But just because you got A’s in classes doesn’t mean you are great. Learn enough about your business and study the leaders in your business, so that you can honestly set the bar for yourself.
5. For professors (and forgiveness, but this is one of my pet peeves): DO NOT grade too easily. Demand that students demonstrate clear understanding of concepts and how to apply them. Don’t listen to obvious sob stories. Don’t extend deadlines when students complain, unless there’s a REALLY good reason (it’s not fair to the kids who did get their work done on time). Lastly, don’t feel mean for being a “tough” professor. You’re not doing us any favors by taking it easy or guarding our notorious self-esteem. Our bosses, mentors and role models all will ask more of us…why shouldn’t you?
6. Lastly, DO remember that everyone is connected, and the internet makes it even harder to live down our not-so-hot moments. As the blogger wrote, “Be wary of burning bridges at such an early stage.” I’d say it another way: Unless you want to commit career suicide, show some integrity, no matter what the situation is. You’ll regret it for a lot longer than you’ll be angry about it.
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Comments
06.22.09
Gosh, I cannot agree enough; I tried to help a fellow graduate student get an interview at my firm last summer becuase she was a decent student and had worked with me on a few projects before. She didn't fill out her application properly, argued with our hiring manager over the skills tests she was to take, and then tried to give the manager attitude when my manager politely let her know they were not including her in the next round (for her attitude, not her skill level.) Needless to say, she could walk away, but I looked like an idiot, and my graduate program was a little tarnished in my firm's eyes. The problem with brat attacks is they also reflect poorly on your university, your references, and your professional network.
06.22.09
Hey great post! I particularly agree with the idea that professors shouldn't worry about being "tough" or "mean". I know it's cliche but it's a dog-eat-dog world after college so actually professors are doing us a disservice by being "nice" in the long run!
06.22.09
Ouch. that was quite the experience!
Yes I agree with everything you said. I can't say enough how far being civil will take you, or at least being diplomatic.
The world now is too closely connected to get bratty like that. For all you know, these are future contacts.
While being competitive to a reasonable degree is quite okay, being aggressive and rude, is not.
Thanks for great post, Crystal
06.22.09
Nice work Crystal!!!!!!!!!
06.23.09
While "Jane" was absolutely wrong to escalate the situation, the main culprit was the interviewer. She is young and starting out in her career and will eventually realize not to do this. The writer even mentions that he shouldn't have written the second email, he is a professional who should know better. Her mistake is ignorance, his is being unprofessional. If you are not going to hire someone, do not critique why they were not chosen. It can open up a potential legal liability. The writer should have told Jane, thank you but we have picked another candidate. Criticizing her effort made her defensive, and while we should be open to constructive criticism it should not come as part of the job interview process. If the writer wants to critique he should open a workshop for prospective PR candidates.
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