Destroyed an interview today:cry:

jamesbrown

I had an interview today. They told me to bring documentation of my education, experience and qualification for the job. I went in with originals of my transcript, training certifications and microsoft certificate. The interviewer wanted to keep my original transcript but i refused. He said was it for him to keep and i said no, it was view only. What can I do now? I wasn't thinking properly. I should have went in with photocopy and I forgot.

I think that's it. I won't get a call back or won't get the job because they ask me to bring my references but never ask for it.

What should I do?

it_consultant

You telling me they didn't have a photocopier, scanner, camera on a smart phone etc?

jamesbrown

I think they do but I really don't know if he wanted to keep the original transcript. He didn't ask me for my reference but he told me to bring it.

rsutton

jamesbrown wrote: »

I think they do but I really don't know if he wanted to keep the original transcript. He didn't ask me for my reference but he told me to bring it.

Instead of telling him "no, you can't have it", a better response would have been "Sure, I will need to make a copy for you, is there a copier near by?". If he still insisted on wanting the originals, at that point you could safely leave the interview knowing he is a nut job.

Akaricloud

Yeah... I think your chances at that are pretty much gone from that.

Next time be prepared to handle anything that arises better. Most companies don't want to hire someone that demonstrates that they can't handle such a simple problem.

Learn from your mistake and keep applying! There are plenty of other fish in the sea.

hiddenknight821

rsutton wrote: »

If he still insisted on wanting the originals, at that point you could safely leave the interview knowing he is a nut job.

Haha! I was thinking the same thing. I think what the interviewer meant was that he wanted an official copy of the transcript. Most official transcripts have watermark and are printed on special paper. If that's not the case, then forget them.

tpatt100

Never had somebody ask me to bring original transcripts to an interview, usually when they make an offer they might ask for it. Certs I can make copies , I have generated CompTIA transcript requests from the site which sends the person who wants it an email link

simtech

what make you think this was a deal breaker? You never know, maybe you'll get a call back...

cyberguypr

It's like those recruiters wanting the social sec # just for an interview. Thanks, but no thanks.

jamesbrown

It was my fault, I didn't expect that to happen and it's the first time I've been asked for a copy of my transcript or any evidence to document anything.

jamesbrown

I think it's over because he started acting differently after that. I beat myself too much over things like this and I might just move on. Should I send a thank you letter with the attached files?

QHalo

This guy sounds like a nut job like someone else pointed out. I've been to several interviews and not one person even my current recruiter asked me for my transcripts and cert documents. No sense worrying about it now, apply what you learned for next time and realize that this situation is not the status quo for all employers.

Zartanasaurus

All of the major cert vendors have ways to verify credentials. His request makes it sound like he isn't with the times. That said, you need to think quicker on your feet.

jamesbrown

Zartanasaurus wrote: »

All of the major cert vendors have ways to verify credentials. His request makes it sound like he isn't with the times. That said, you need to think quicker on your feet.

I wasn't thinking. Well, next time I know what to do.

jamesbrown

it_consultant wrote: »

You telling me they didn't have a photocopier, scanner, camera on a smart phone etc?

Should I send a thank you letter with an attached document of all this files?

cshkuru

In my 30 plus years working for umpteen companies I can say that if the HR guy wanted originals of your transcript and your certificates you are better off without the job. What they are doing (IMO) is laying the trail to fire you for cause at a time that is convenient for them. By having your documents they can find some discrepancy and use it as the basis for the firing and under the current unemployment rules you don't get to collect. I have seen this happen at a couple places. At one - after a merger they were "verifying" everyone's resumes. One guy was fired because he claimed to like a 3.5 GPA and it was actually a 3.49. He was also the most productive engineer in the groups so it was kind of a case of cutting of their nose to spite their face. That is what this sounds like to me.

jamesbrown

cshkuru wrote: »

In my 30 plus years working for umpteen companies I can say that if the HR guy wanted originals of your transcript and your certificates you are better off without the job. What they are doing (IMO) is laying the trail to fire you for cause at a time that is convenient for them. By having your documents they can find some discrepancy and use it as the basis for the firing and under the current unemployment rules you don't get to collect. I have seen this happen at a couple places. At one - after a merger they were "verifying" everyone's resumes. One guy was fired because he claimed to like a 3.5 GPA and it was actually a 3.49. He was also the most productive engineer in the groups so it was kind of a case of cutting of their nose to spite their face. That is what this sounds like to me.

I went in for an interview today, i don't even have the job. So, if they are trying to have this on there record, i don't think it makes sense. I have been to so many interview and not one ever asked me for it. I have a degree in CIS and what does that have to do with an help desk/desktop support position?

networker050184

I highly doubt not having copies is a deal breaker. If you don't get a call back it probably has little to nothing to do with that man. Don't stress the little things.

jamesbrown

networker050184 wrote: »

I highly doubt not having copies is a deal breaker. If you don't get a call back it probably has little to nothing to do with that man. Don't stress the little things.

Should i send a thank you letter?

Psoasman

It's usually a good idea to send a thank you letter.

jamesbrown

Psoasman wrote: »

It's usually a good idea to send a thank you letter.

Should I attached a copy of all the files or not?

networker050184

I think you are worrying way too much about details that will have little to do with your chances of getting the job. If they liked you they will get back with you. If not, then you must not be a good fit. A company isn't going to let a candidate they like get away due to some copies. If you want to send a thank you then go right ahead. I doubt it will matter either way if you attach the files honestly.


Good luck!

jamesbrown

networker050184 wrote: »

I think you are worrying way too much about details that will have little to do with your chances of getting the job. If they liked you they will get back with you. If not, then you must not be a good fit. A company isn't going to let a candidate they like get away due to some copies. If you want to send a thank you then go right ahead. I doubt it will matter either way if you attach the files honestly.


Good luck!

Thanks for all the great advice.

CodeBlox

I would have made copies before I went, but thats just me. Maybe the word "origional" in his context was referring to an official, sealed copy. I don't think that should be a huge factor in a hiring decision. Good luck!

the_Grinch

Screw him. I agree, probably could have not said no, but any person with half a brain should be able to understand that a person wouldn't want to hand over originals. Under normal hiring procedures you would just show these to the person and get official copies sent over when the offer is made and accepted. I interviewed at Comcast, brought my Security+ Certificate, got the job and they kept the cert! Also, when I worked with ICE I needed an official government passport and brought my birth certificate. Sent it, had to leave the job due to injury, and never got my birth certificate back.

Psoasman

jamesbrown wrote: »

Should I attached a copy of all the files or not?

I wouldn't bother. Just send a nice thank-you note and leave it at that.

NOC-Ninja

That guy is stupid not to offer their copier or scanner. You have the right not to give them the original since that is yours. In my experience, they will ask me on my email for a copy and not get my original documents/certs/transcripts.

cshkuru

I understand and I sympathize. My point is that HR kind of represents the company and the only time I have seen things like this happen is when the company is one I would rather not work at anyway because they generally treat their workers like c**p anyway. Govt jobs or jobs requiring a security clearance are a different matter but my experience is that they are upfront about what they need and why.

badrottie

Honestly, I too would have refused to relinquish original documentation other than my resume and references. Certificates, transcripts, birth certificates and other documents can be provided as a duplicate for their records.

That being said, it seems that the interviewer was overly insistent and overstepping their bounds. HR is the one of the first points of contact with a company, and any demonstrated lack of professionalism is a big red flag from personal experience.

Karma can be a cold b*tch sometimes, though. I remember interviewing at one company and found the manager of HR to be thoroughly unprofessional during the interview process (Some of the questions that she asked were flat out illegal, for the love of it all!). When I was contacted later and offered the role, I politely turned down the offer, and thought that was the end of the whole sordid mess.

As it turns out, I ran into a old friend from university several months later. We started chatting and catching up, and after a while, he asked if I had applied at XYZ Corp for a position. I was surprised at the question and replied that I had, but had such a horrible interview process that I elected to decline the offer. When pressed, I detailed some of the more egregious aspects of the interview. He was oddly quiet while I was recounting it all.

Turns out, he and his partners had just acquired the company. The manager of HR was let go shortly thereafter.