My so called job interview

If there is something that really bothers me, it’s when some people treat others with disrespect and contempt, just because they have money and status. I had a bad experience when I went to an interview in one of the big grocery stores in Toronto.

Since I was shopping in this store pretty often, I saw a sign at the entrance that there are openings for full time and part time jobs.

I called the store and said that I never worked in a grocery store before. I asked if I could apply anyway, and the answer was yes.

I went to the store and grabbed an application, I filled it out and applied for a part time job. I clearly indicated my availability (both days and hours), and submitted it the next day.

I didn’t work since I moved to Canada (approximately 8 years ago). Before that I  worked for a big accounting firm for over 20 years. When I saw the note in the store, I thought to myself well……it is probably not what I want to do for a living (when I grow up….. :-), but it is a start and maybe it will give me the opportunity to be interviewed for the first time in Canada, and maybe I’ll have a part-time job.

I received a phone call from the store a couple of days after I submitted my application, and was invited for an interview the next day.

The day of the interview was one of the warmest and most humid days. By the time I arrived to the office floor, I was sweating and felt I am going to melt, like a jellyfish in the sun :-). I desperately needed some cold water, and was sure I would find a cold water dispenser, in the office of the one of the biggest grocery stores in Toronto. But they didn’t have one, and no one offered me a glass of water.

When I arrived, I was asked to sit in the hall and wait. 15 minutes later I was pointed by the secretary, to the office I was supposed to be interviewed in. I went inside and saw a man with an unpleasant look on his face, he pointed to the chair in front of him. He barely looked at me.

I sat uncomfortably, the light in the room was little bit dim. I felt like I was sitting in an interrogation room.

The man who owns the store (I found this out later) did not introduce himself, which surprised me. He was holding my resume and asked “are you here for full time or part time?” I said “for part time” and he said “why didn’t you write the availability days and hours in the application?” I said, “I did!”

You would think that before you have an interview, the interviewer would spend a minute of his time and read your resume and the application, but this is probably too much to ask.

However, he glanced at the application and said, “you’re available just in the mornings” (obviously he didn’t read what was written there), I said “no I didn’t write just mornings” and started to say, “I was available every Sunday until closing time”, but he cut me off and didn’t let me finish the sentence. He said “no no no the store is open until 10pm and it is shift work”.

I was speechless, I froze, he was so rude. Although I clearly mentioned my schedule, I was called for an interview just to be told, my availability wasn’t good enough.

I looked at this arrogant man and asked for my resume back. I was so frustrated. I wanted to give him a piece of my mind. Then I thought…… I should not waste my time any more than I already did.

I just picked up my stuff and left the room quietly.

Basically, even though you apply for part-time, they want you to be available for them whenever the store is open. On the other hand, they have no obligation whatsoever to give you any hours.

Anyway, thank God I don’t have to work for someone like him who probably thinks that the sun shines from his ass…… :-). I hope I’ll never see his face again.