Assuming that you have applied to a company and they consider you to be a worthy candidate, the next stage is the interview. The purpose of an interview should be to ascertain one’s suitability for the position the company is hiring for, right?
As much as I consider this to be the case, there are times where getting the job does not seem completely tied to one’s experience and ability.
I’ll give you an example:
Previously, I had applied to a Michelin starred restaurant for an Assistant Restaurant Manager position, and was promptly called by their HR Manager to say that my experience was great and that they would love for me to come in for a trial and interview. As this restaurant was outside of London, getting there required schlepping incredibly early in the morning to get there. My trial began before lunch service and ended around the time that their lunch service ended.
Following a successful (and lengthy) trial, I was then interviewed by the Restaurant Manager – who offered me a waiter position. Confused as to why I would come in for an Assistant Manager position, only to be offered a waiter position, I asked if I could receive some feedback and if he thought that anything during my trial shift made him think that I would not be fit for their Assistant Manager role. To this, he stated that there was nothing wrong with my trial shift, and that his decision was entirely based on my CV.
Now, you may be wondering why they asked me to come in to begin with, with the person on the phone stating that my experience was “great” for the role and the manager stating that my CV is not yet good enough to become an Assistant Manager. This is especially confusing considering that both the HR Manager and the Restaurant Manager had viewed my CV before I came in on the day. This is the point that I had realised I had been tricked; this restaurant already had a position in mind for me but knew that I would not come all the way from London to interview and trial for a lower position to the one which I had applied to.
This is a perfect example of how not getting a particular role may have nothing to do with you, no matter how well your interview goes and how great you are on your trial shift. My above story perfectly highlights how a company can push to hire you into a role lower than you have applied for just because they are struggling to fill that particular role. Moreover, the amount of trickery prevalent when it comes to hiring (in the hospitality industry and other industries) is quite disturbing.
Imagine how much time and money some people spend to attend these interviews and trial shifts, especially if the establishments are far from where they live. Companies need to be upfront with candidates and not resort to such underhanded tactics. Had the above restaurant been straightforward with me, then I could have seriously thought about their offer – however the dishonesty and trickery really put me off working with them. I certainly hope that companies fix their hiring practices so that they are more transparent; remember that if you are honest and upfront then the right people will come around, and that applies to work as much as one’s personal life…
