Meancouver

One annoying thing about looking for a job in Vancouver is something called the stress interview. A fad of the 80’s, it seems that some Vancouver businesses can’t get enough of this interview. Here’s the deal: if the interview starts out real well, almost too well – just wait and the switch will happen. Ive had interviews where all the windows in the room were open allowing the street traffic to drown out questions, having the interviewer read other resumes or not listen to the questions, argue that your answers arent complete even though they are. I know that this has been claimed as a good way to find out how a candidate behaves under pressure but to be honest its a shite way to make a first impression.

Vancouver employers need to realise that it’s 2008 not 1982. Pressure interviews where you launch salvos of attacks to jar the candidate make you look like a loutish bully. The thing is you can explain about how great of a place you are to work and how real, all you are is just a bunch of dudes who like to have a bit of laddish fun but you come across as an unprofessional cadre of wankers deserving of an alley beating.

…Before I go allow me to divulge something else – I realize that a lot of people like to boost up their company but please make it believable. Recently I had someone describe one of their employees as an eminent scientist. Eminent Scientist? Is this some sort of matinee sci-fi movie and we’re saving the world from a killer meteorite? Please, save the pretention, you’ll command more respect and will be far less likely to be referred to as those douches downtown. Same goes for gurus, ninjas, wizards, code bricklayers, superstars etc. If you want the right person for the job you might find it easier if you didnt advertise for superheroes. This isnt a comic book