Cursing during Interview

micromary

Just want to see what anybody thinks of this.

I went to a 2nd interview last week. They were obviously interested in me as they were emailing "we very much look forward to meeting you etc". I went there and during the interview I met the main man. It was a strange half hour. He asked a number of informal questions about previous employments and what I wanted to do etc. He also told me that I was only 1 of 3 that was now in contention and the benefits of the company, job etc. What was strange was how much he cursed during the conversation. Has anybody experienced that? I remained polite and listened even though secretly I was astonished! I don't honestly know whether it is his way of doing things, whether he was selling the job to me and really wanted me or whether he was testing me to see how I would react.

They got in contact later on and advised that they are looking for references. I was down the country so could only give this early on in the week. I have not heard anything since so I am continuing looking. Bit of a limbo situation I suppose!!!

Bepolite

Different company ethoses. I once worked for a guy who told me 'Get into your f***ing store, or I'll drive to [Town] drag you out of bed and f***ing put you in there" when I phoned in sick on day. The guy had made my career for me so things balanced out.

Again during an interview you don't know the person so realistically you have to go with your gut. If this is the way he speaks in an interview imagine what he's going to be like day-to-day. You're either up for that or your not. Part of me thinks Kudos to the guy for coming across as he actually is.

Tabnabs

The classic sign of an alpha male wannabe. Unprofessional and poor manners in formal situations.

Mrs OBumble

You meet people like that. Your call whether you want to work for him or not - it may not be the nicest of working environments.

I'd be more worried that you couldn't provide references immediately: being "down the country for a few days" is no excuse for not having access to your contacts list and the ability to send an email, IMHO.

micromary

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

You meet people like that. Your call whether you want to work for him or not - it may not be the nicest of working environments.

I'd be more worried that you couldn't provide references immediately: being "down the country for a few days" is no excuse for not having access to your contacts list and the ability to send an email, IMHO.

I disagree. They got back to me a few hours after the interview on Friday and I am not going to ring former employers during the weekend to inform them out of courtesy that they will be rung or go back from a family event for items on my laptop. I have a offer from somewhere else today so I will have a good think over the weekend of what to do and make the right choice for myself.

Philope

What was strange was how much he cursed during the conversation. Has anybody experienced that? I remained polite and listened even though secretly I was astonished!

That's was your first instinct and alarm/warning bell going off. Pay attention to it. Don't waste your time, move on, unless your desperate.

doolox

By your user name I assume you are female. I would regard it as entirely inappropriate for manager to use foul or racy language in a formal setting with a new working acquaintance or contact ( which you are ). A person should have enough cop on to moderate their tone and language to such situations. Would he use such language to a customer in a sales pitch???? I think not.

Professional setting of the job. Is it a pub or a bookmakers or some such establishment? I would be inclined to forgive bad language in such settings, garages and engineering workshops etc also tend to have higher levels of informality and use of course language. Businesses dealing with trades also might be used to bad language esp. if the workforce is predominantly male. I recall some adjustments which had to made in technical workshops over the years as more women joined the workforce but also recall some women who very fluent in racy, and offensive language.

If it is someplace like a garden centre, library, daytime cafe etc with a mixed or mostly female clientele then I would be very wary. If a professional workplace like a clinic, hospital or legal or accountancy firm I'd run.