Sep 12
Don’t Flush the Toliet While You’re Interviewing!
Is it me, or are there certain things that shouldn’t be done is certain places? I was in a public restroom the other day and overhead a cell-phone conversation between a young applicant (on my end) and an employer. The applicant appeared to be saying the right things. He spoke with enthuisasm and made his points clearly. Things seemed to be going very well.
Then he flushed the toliet, not just any toliet, but one of those water-saving commodes that goes WHOOSH when you press the handle. Then this young applicant said, “What? Oh, that? That was ah . . . Sure, I understand . . . It was good to talk to you too. Thanks, bye.”
One part of me wanted to reach out to this job seeker and ask, “What have you learned from this experience?” But it was none of my business. The other part of me wanted to congratulate the employer on making a wise choice by “flushing” the interview. Those of us interviewing applicants over the past few years have found ourselves becoming more and more flexible with our standards. But there are certain things you just can’t tolerate.
September 13th, 2008 at 5:07 am
Professionalism seems to be a thing of the past in all ways. That truly is what is the key. The younger generation has such a different take on the role employment plays in their lives than we Baby Boomers do and I believe that has a lot to do with their lack of professionalism. Previous articles you have written have indicated the need to provide very detailed instructions….I will have to make sure that whenever I am preparing people to interview to remember to tell them to not conduct an interview sitting on the john! Just sitting here shaking my head…..
September 16th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
I agree that flushing a toilet during a formal interaction such as an interview is lax. However, I am refreshed by the casual nature of GenXers and Millenials in general at work. Professionalism is not perfectionism and being less formal makes a working environment pleasant. While some formality is needed for structure, rigidity hampers creativity and collaboration. And as a GenXer, I want to know who I’m working for and with…good, bad and ugly.
October 14th, 2008 at 11:07 am
Not only should you not flush the toilet during an interview - you should stay out of bathrooms completely. Bathrooms have an echo and it is very clear that the individual with whom you are speaking is in the bathroom. This is not the visual image I want when placing a business call. How many of you have been on the telephone thinking,”Clearly, this person is in the bathroom.” When I talk with someone on the phone, I have a visual image of the individual sitting at a desk, focused on what I am saying - not taking care of other “business.”