McDonalds...sigh...

patheticfallacy

I got a rejection after what I felt was a really great interview. The interviewer told me at the end that I had the job "in the bag". I feel about two inches tall I can't figure out what went wrong. I have a 1. ( 70%+) in my Junior Sophister History and English exams and I take part in team sports. I dressed smartly and answered the questions with confidence. I'm embarrassed..what on earth is wrong with me

leeroybrown

It's simple. A better candidate turned up. People shouldn't beat themselves up just because a better candidates turned up. It's hardly surprising given the number of well qualified people out there applying for anything that pays.

On a separate note, the interviewer shouldn't have said that you had it "in the bag". I wouldn't have an issue with telling a good candidate that they were in strong contention but leading them on like they did to you isn't exactly professional.

devereaux17

What age are you? Don't be embarrassed, I mean the luck just wasn't with you on the day. Chin up.

PGstudent

Yeh i wouldnt worry about it, most likely something beyond your control

I was actually headhunted by a firm a while ago, they came after me not the other way round- went through testing, interviewing and worst of all they put together this really great package to seal the deal- i was over the moon, then out of nowhere they just pulled the plug, total waste of time and raised hopes.

I rang them about what happened buit just got a standard, we went another way type answer.

Its a bit of a shock when you are sure you have it in the bag but it happens to everyone i reckon, keep your head up

patheticfallacy

Karma for being a vegetarian ..:) Im 21 in a few weeks..thanks so much..I was freaking out over something that I have no control over..Got to learn to take the rough with the smooth

Ruu_Old

Good for you for having a go. There are a number of people who would think such a job is beneath them and would rather continue on the dole. You've got the right attitude!

cronos

leeroybrown wrote: »

It's simple. A better candidate turned up. People shouldn't beat themselves up just because a better candidates turned up. It's hardly surprising given the number of well qualified people out there applying for anything that pays.

On a separate note, the interviewer shouldn't have said that you had it "in the bag". I wouldn't have an issue with telling a good candidate that they were in strong contention but leading them on like they did to you isn't exactly professional.

They might have got someone with experience. Its a massive differentiator.

TJJP

Horses for courses I'd reckon... You weren’t for them nor them for you. Don't be down about it, look around a bit more. When you get the interviews keep your answers in context; junior sophister history, English exams and team sports have no reference point when someone wants a floor cleaned - its not all like that, but they want to know that you'll it, no questions, when asked... That’s the real meaning of team effort, just do it, then we can all go home. You’ll need to convince you can fit in with that environment.

Good luck with your search.

cronos

Does Junior Sophister mean third year? If so I would say third year, Junior Sophister is the kind of smartarsery only get away with while your in trinners.

toiletduck

patheticfallacy wrote: »

The interviewer told me at the end that I had the job "in the bag".

Jeez that's bad form. They should never say stuff like that. Don't be too down, you made a go of it. Fair play. I've got a fair few rejections and I know how awful it can feel but you just gotta keep in there. Best of luck!

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

Ruu wrote: »

Good for you for having a go. There are a number of people who would think such a job is beneath them and would rather continue on the dole. You've got the right attitude!

It is completely pointless for most on the dole to apply for such jobs... they are over qualified and mc donalds will not invest in someone that will leave, the first chance they get.

patheticfallacy

Just wanted to say thanks again...I'm totally gobsmacked, I managed to secure the job this morning "HELL YEAH" after many emails and phone calls...The manager said I was " one determined young woman"...Ha thats a first

Varkov

patheticfallacy wrote: »

Just wanted to say thanks again...I'm totally gobsmacked, I managed to secure the job this morning "HELL YEAH" after many emails and phone calls...The manager said I was " one determined young woman"...Ha thats a first

Haha, well done. So it pays to be annoying and chase up jobs.

Congrats.

Varkov

Asher Early Twig wrote: »

It is completely pointless for most on the dole to apply for such jobs... they are over qualified and mc donalds will not invest in someone that will leave, the first chance they get.

Not taking a dig or anything, just curious.
Did you do a degree, and would you apply for the like of McDonalds or a cashier in Spar?

Mrs OBumble

Varkov wrote: »

Not taking a dig or anything, just curious.
Did you do a degree, and would you apply for the like of McDonalds or a cashier in Spar?

I don't know about the person who wrote that but:

I have a degree, and considerable work experience. I've applied for countless jobs in SPARs, shops, fast-food etc. None of them were willing to hire me. And if I was the manager in any of them, I wouldn't hire me either - because I'm likely to be educated enough to be troublesome (I can read employment rights legislation!), and because as soon as a "proper" job turned up, you wouldn't see me for the dust.

hobochris

JustMary wrote: »

I don't know about the person who wrote that but:

I have a degree, and considerable work experience. I've applied for countless jobs in SPARs, shops, fast-food etc. None of them were willing to hire me. And if I was the manager in any of them, I wouldn't hire me either - because I'm likely to be educated enough to be troublesome (I can read employment rights legislation!), and because as soon as a "proper" job turned up, you wouldn't see me for the dust.

That's an interesting point, i never thought of a 3rd level education as a double edged sword. I think if I'm ever in the that position, I'll leave my degree off of my c.v for certain jobs.

ozt9vdujny3srf

Because a 3/4 year hole in your employment record is much better!

artful_codger

JustMary wrote: »

I'm likely to be educated enough to be troublesome (I can read employment rights legislation!)

you're not James Larkin, last time i checked employees of Spar and other retail outlets have the numeracy and literacy skills of normal adults. Maybe it's your snobby, elitist attitude which has you on the dole and not those dastardly stereotypical employers who only want to employ idiots?

Nolanger

Did it ever occur to you that not all degrees are impressive? Just because you studied something like Business Studies with Beauty Therapy doesn't mean an employer will be awed. Most degrees are dumbed down anyway - only the professional or technical ones really matter.

patheticfallacy

Nolanger I totally agree..History and English had no relevance in my interview..Flipping a burger hardly involves an indept analysis of Shakespeare

Bandit12

Fair play to the OP for trying but in reality low brow employers like McDonalds,Spar,Londis etc..will go out of their way to not hire well educated canditates. The fact is most of these people will know their employment rights and will not stand to be walked all over hence the employer will usually not hire them. Bad state of affairs but what ya gonna do.

Nolanger

Nolanger wrote: »

Did it ever occur to you that not all degrees are impressive? Just because you studied something like Business Studies with Beauty Therapy doesn't mean an employer will be awed. Most degrees are dumbed down anyway - only the professional or technical ones really matter.

Typical Irish begrudging, negative attitude, as always. All degrees are dumbed down? Really? I worked pretty hard for mine and employers have generally been interested and impressed with the result. Saying that only professional or technical ones 'really matter' is downright ridiculous. The main issue is that people are reluctant to hire people with third level degrees (in engineering or Russian literature, it doesn't matter) to work in Spar or McDonald's. Obviously, someone who has spent time and money getting a degree is never going to be content standing behind a counter. They'll do it when there's nothing else available, but if they get offered something better paid or relevant to their degree, they'll be off like a shot. The manager would be better off hiring someone without a third level degree who has worked in similar roles since leaving school. It's common sense.

Nolanger

Well your degree must be dumbed down because I said 'most' not 'all'.
If two graduates wanted a job from me and one had a degree in Art History and another had a degreee in Theoretical Physics I'd know which one was the smarter before even interviewing them.

dvpower

patheticfallacy wrote: »

Nolanger I totally agree..History and English had no relevance in my interview..Flipping a burger hardly involves an indept analysis of Shakespeare

"Fries with that or no fries with that - that is the question"

cerebus

Nolanger wrote: »

Well your degree must be dumbed down because I said 'most' not 'all'.
If two graduates wanted a job from me and one had a degree in Art History and another had a degreee in Theoretical Physics I'd know which one was the smarter before even interviewing them.

I'm not sure that you would. You'd know which candidate you *assumed* would be smarter, but you might be pleasantly surprised at the large numbers of incredibly intelligent people who don't necessarily study theoretical physics.

Mrs OBumble

artful_codger wrote: »

you're not James Larkin, last time i checked employees of Spar and other retail outlets have the numeracy and literacy skills of normal adults. Maybe it's your snobby, elitist attitude which has you on the dole and not those dastardly stereotypical employers who only want to employ idiots?

Chill.

It's not about literacy/numeracy. Or even levels of common sense. (no employer actually wants to hire idiots).

It's about perceived stroppiness. Someone who has worked in a range of places, managed staff, run funding programmes, written policy papers, run helpdesks etc is unlikely to put up with being badly, or with their colleagues being treated badly, and is likely to have the skills/nous to report things to NERA, Revenue etc in a way that will get results.

Oh - and working in a Spar actually requires quite a bit of literacy and numeracy, I think: being able sell a relatively large product range, knowing where to find stuff and where to re-stock it from, and doing cash transactions at a pretty high speed. I'd expect folks working there would have higher-than-average skills if anything.

Nolanger

Nolanger wrote: »

Well your degree must be dumbed down because I said 'most' not 'all'.
If two graduates wanted a job from me and one had a degree in Art History and another had a degreee in Theoretical Physics I'd know which one was the smarter before even interviewing them.

Right, yeah. Intelligence is measured by the choice of degree subject :rolleyes:
Russian, Japanese, Classics, they're all a piece of cake!

What's your point anyway? You're saying you'd hire someone with a degree in TP to work in Spar?

givyjoe81

cronos wrote: »

They might have got someone with experience. Its a massive differentiator.

Perhaps, I didnt even get as far as interview a while back, two rejection emails!! Just finished up in college, have degree, post grad and a masters with lots of experience, but didnt cut the mustard for even an interview! Must be bazillions of people applying for these jobs, so to even get to interview stage is an achievement these days.

givyjoe81

Bandit12 wrote: »

Fair play to the OP for trying but in reality low brow employers like McDonalds,Spar,Londis etc..will go out of their way to not hire well educated canditates. The fact is most of these people will know their employment rights and will not stand to be walked all over hence the employer will usually not hire them. Bad state of affairs but what ya gonna do.

Think thats a fairly ridiculous argument, and potentially libelous to be honest. Maccers was/is regularly voted as one of the best employers in Ireland, so to say they routinely mistreat their staff is presumptous and unfiar. I actually did a bit of hmming and hawwwing before i actually applied myself, and was impressed with how they laid out their site and seemed to encourage they likes of us 'smart' students to apply. They also give the impression that it isnt a dead end job and you can work your way up as evidenced by their testimonials on site, another reason why this logic of not wanting to hire smart people doesnt hold up.

Others have said that not hiring the 'better educated' people is just common sense, well thats just ridiculous, i can say right now as someone intends to run their own business in the future, i will, in consideration, always hire the better educated, 'smarter' person over the dullard with no ambition shifting from 'sh1t' job to sh1t job, that to me is common business sense, not every employer is out to treat people shoddy and just looking for people to exploit.

So in short the 'smarter' person will leave if they get a better job offer, but the 'thicko' wont?! Come off it.

They least companies like this can do is give people the opportunity to explain why they are right for the job, as on the paper they are the better qualified, i was recently given this opportunity and was comfortably able to appease the above concerns of the empolyer. I mean, otherwise all the degree educated people are going to remain perpetually unemployed seen as its only these 'dead end' jobs that are hiring right now.

foxy06

If you are concerned about being over qualified why not just leave that information out of your CV?

t-ha

JustMary wrote: »

Oh - and working in a Spar actually requires quite a bit of literacy and numeracy, I think: being able sell a relatively large product range, knowing where to find stuff and where to re-stock it from, and doing cash transactions at a pretty high speed. I'd expect folks working there would have higher-than-average skills if anything.

Not really, I did it for a few months before and it was mind-numbing. You learn how to do everything fairly quickly and after that it's just routine...

artful_codger

JustMary wrote: »

It's about perceived stroppiness. Someone who has worked in a range of places, managed staff, run funding programmes, written policy papers, run helpdesks etc is unlikely to put up with being badly, or with their colleagues being treated badly, and is likely to have the skills/nous to report things to NERA, Revenue etc in a way that will get results.

all i'll say is that i would be confident of getting better treatment working for McDonalds than i did working at Merrill Lynch. McDonalds probably don't "ask" their employees to work unpaid overtime in the evenings and weekends, or "ask" employees to have PC access from home in case any issues crop up when yer not working. There's a difference between knowing your rights and being able to exercise your rights. Nobody had to go above and beyond the call of duty, but it's your bonus, pay raise and career on the chopping block if you don't participate in the "culture of excellence"

Joey the lips

As someone who interviewed once for what would be considered a sh1tty job dont beat yourself up. Sometimes there is just to many "Good canidates" and its hard to pick the right one knowing your letting the others down

givyjoe81

foxy06 wrote: »

If you are concerned about being over qualified why not just leave that information out of your CV?

I personally didnt feel like i was 'lowering' myself and am particularly proud of my achievements, so didnt feel the need to hide them. Personally i think they would have gotten far better value out of me working for 9 bills an hour, over some one less qualified or educated.

BillyGoatGruff

I don't think it is about being dumber or smarter for places like McD's or Spar anyway. If I was the Hirer I would be looking for someone who is personable, well presented and interacted with customers well.

Mrs OBumble

artful_codger wrote: »

all i'll say is that i would be confident of getting better treatment working for McDonalds than i did working at Merrill Lynch. McDonalds probably don't "ask" their employees to work unpaid overtime in the evenings and weekends,

Not their basic rate employees.

But the folks who are trying to make a career of it, and have got into lower management positions - hell yes. (And if you're a grad with no reason for wanting a casual-hours job, the only way to get in is to convince 'em that you're looking for the career).

(Yes, I've worked for them, admittedly long long ago in a country far away. But the same issues will still be there - staff from the next shift phoning in sick, equipment breaking down, cash-drawers not balancing, more customers than expected so no change-over done during the shift, a-holes breaking windows at night that need to be fixed before tomorrow morning, etc.)

Agreed that some of the Merryl Lynche's of the world exploit people too. But at least there you can expect some sort of decent career inthe industry, and don't have to clean grease-traps and toilets.

nitrogen

artful_codger wrote: »

all i'll say is that i would be confident of getting better treatment working for McDonalds than i did working at Merrill Lynch. McDonalds probably don't "ask" their employees to work unpaid overtime in the evenings and weekends, or "ask" employees to have PC access from home in case any issues crop up when yer not working. There's a difference between knowing your rights and being able to exercise your rights. Nobody had to go above and beyond the call of duty, but it's your bonus, pay raise and career on the chopping block if you don't participate in the "culture of excellence"

You are paid almost 3 to 4 times as much for a reason. Did you expect bonuses, rises with higher pay and a career not to come with more responsibility than flipping burgers?

IvyTheTerrible

givyjoe81 wrote: »

I personally didnt feel like i was 'lowering' myself and am particularly proud of my achievements, so didnt feel the need to hide them. Personally i think they would have gotten far better value out of me working for 9 bills an hour, over some one less qualified or educated.

Also, what would you say you did for the last x number of years?

IvyTheTerrible

TarquinTitsworh wrote: »

Seriously! I would rather sign-on(which I wouldn't do lightly) than serve obese people burgers in McDonalds. I would be prepared to work in the lower paid jobs- the likes of Tesco and bar work etc... but that's my limit, as it were . You don't sacrifice years of your life completing a degree for this type of employment.

Seriously you might have to consider signing on if this is your attitude. You know there is a recession on??

Having a degree at the moment means sweet F-A tbh.

Joey the lips

IvyTheTerrible wrote: »

Seriously you might have to consider signing on if this is your attitude. You know there is a recession on??

Having a degree at the moment means sweet F-A tbh.

+ 1 i was thinking the same. Its these very people that generally give out about all the "Foreigners" taking the jobs,:rolleyes:

weird

patheticfallacy wrote: »

I got a rejection after what I felt was a really great interview. The interviewer told me at the end that I had the job "in the bag". I feel about two inches tall I can't figure out what went wrong. I have a 1. ( 70%+) in my Junior Sophister History and English exams and I take part in team sports. I dressed smartly and answered the questions with confidence. I'm embarrassed..what on earth is wrong with me

A new a guy once, super intelligent... he went to apply for a job as a Janitor. The interviewer basically said that he felt that he couldn't do the job. This really resounded with him. He thought to himself "you mean to say I'm not good enough to clean your toilets?!" this motivated him and now he's has a computer science degree and very close to being a pilot.

weird

TarquinTitsworh wrote: »

Seriously! I would rather sign-on(which I wouldn't do lightly) than serve obese people burgers in McDonalds.

I hate how being bigoted against overweight people is completely socially acceptable.

TarquinTitsworh wrote: »

I would be prepared to work in the lower paid jobs- the likes of Tesco and bar work etc... but that's my limit, as it were . You don't sacrifice years of your life completing a degree for this type of employment.

I get your point: you work hard in school and you expect to get a good job. However, one doesn't necessarily begat the other. Everyone has to pay dues so to speak.

My view on it is like this: I will never, and I have never, looked down on any working man. It doesn't if you're working in an "unskilled" job or as a rocket scientist... a job is a job. Any man or woman who gets up everyday and goes to work deserves respect.

Gone West

TarquinTitsworh wrote: »

there are certain types of employment which are simply below certain people(like myself).

You stated that McD's is below you, and that you would rather go on the dole.
McDonalds is a step above the dole. You would rather burn up others tax money on a very basic stipend, rather than work in a fast food place for almost double the renumeration. Because of pride?
Where is the pride in sitting at home, taking weekly handouts when you could be working for your bread.

There are certain types of people who ARE above certain types of employment, but if (as you've said) you would rather sign-on, you are not one of those people.

eth0_

The dole is around 200 euro a week, not 300.

Tarquin banned for a month for muppetry.

Mrs OBumble

And that's if you're getting full-rate dole. Lots aren't.

Gone West

TarquinTitsworh wrote: »

(BTW I said "almost")Double the remuneration? What planet are you residing on? Planet idiot?

40 hrs of minimum wage works out at 346 euros, compared to the dole of 300+. I have stated quite explicitly that I wouldn't go on the dole unless absolutely necessary, but I am not slaving away for 40 hrs serving fatties their daily cholesterol for 46 quid more than the dole.

Planet idiot indeed.
At this point, I will step out of the discussion, because you clearly have no idea what you are talking about.

I have self respect, thank you very much! Plus, I am far too intelligent to work in such establishments.

(lol)

weird

TarquinTitsworh wrote: »

Re point 1: fat people are so for a reason, no need for the politically correct rubbish.:rolleyes:

People who are obese are obese for a reason, they over eat. However, they over eat because because it becomes an addiction and every addiction has a reason behind it.

However, fat people are still people, people just like you. I'm thinking you must have something you really dislike about yourself; that's why you act like this. In this thread you've come off saying how you're so much better that a fat person or some one who works at McDonalds. If your posts are any indicator of how you're like as a person you're probably fairly miserable to be around.

tallaghtoutlaws

patheticfallacy wrote: »

I got a rejection after what I felt was a really great interview. The interviewer told me at the end that I had the job "in the bag". I feel about two inches tall I can't figure out what went wrong. I have a 1. ( 70%+) in my Junior Sophister History and English exams and I take part in team sports. I dressed smartly and answered the questions with confidence. I'm embarrassed..what on earth is wrong with me

Nothing wrong with you OP unlucky is all. I fell down at that hurdle also and the interviewer said the same thing to me "job in the bag" I worked in retail for years and have management experience and I thought I would have gotton the job in McD but ye know I will keep plugging away. Annoying for sure though. With so many unemployed employerers have their choice of candidates if you ask me.

Xterminator

TarquinTitsworh wrote: »

Re point 1: fat people are so for a reason, no need for the politically correct rubbish.:rolleyes:

Honesty is the best policy and all that....

and ugly people are so for a reason, and black people are so for a reason, and jewish ......

the reasons may be beyond their control .... like there parents were also jewish or black etc, nevertheless there are reasons.

discrimination has many guises ....

anothernight

McDonald's worker here.
A lot of my co-workers are graduates, and some have even done masters.
We have too many applications every day. Many people I know have applied for McDonald's. Most never got an interview, and from the ones that did, none of them got the job.
So if you apply for McDonald's and don't get a job, don't feel bad about it. There's just too many unemployed people atm.