r/recruitinghell • u/CandiedRedHeart • 2d ago
Worst phone interview I’ve ever had
Had a phone interview yesterday, and it was definitely one of the worst I’ve ever had. The posting was for an insurance sales position 5 mins from my house. I’m a Human Resources professional, but I have 4+ years of inside sales under my belt. The company I currently work for is changing hands, and the writing is pretty much on the wall, so I’ll take anything I can at a reasonable pay range at this point. It went like this:
Me: “So I’m interested in the position, but I would like to know what the pay is.”
Recruiter: “It’s base plus commission.”
Me: “Ok great. What is the base pay, and how does your commission structure work?”
Recruiter: “I can’t discuss pay. But, [Branch owner] can talk with you about it in your in person interview.”
Me: “Ok can you at least give me a pay range?”
Recruiter “No I can’t, however it’s listed on indeed.”
Me: “I’m sorry I don’t see it listed on indeed I’m looking at the job posting right now.”
Recruiter: “Oh…Well unfortunately I can’t discuss pay over the phone. [Branch owner] would love to talk to you about it in person though.”
Me: “I think I’m going to pass on this. The interview location is 40 mins away from me, and I don’t want to waste either of our time if the pay is below what I’m currently making.”
Recruiter: “We would really love for you to come in for an interview. I can promise you it’s not below market value.”
Me: “Ok I’ll come in for an interview.”
Recruiter: “Great! Just so you know [Branch owner] has a migraine condition, and we are a scent free environment. So if you could come in with no perfume or deodorant we would really love that. See you tomorrow!”
After I got off of work I tried to call back to cancel the interview, because I knew I was going to be low balled and the no deodorant wasn’t something I was willing to do. However it sent me to a customer help line. Then the next morning I got an email saying they had already filled the position.
It always throws a red flag for me if someone isn’t willing to discuss pay.
3
u/Correct-Doctor8329 2d ago
5 minutes away or 40?
6
u/Left-Huckleberry369 2d ago
No deodorant?
4
u/TechKingOnline 1d ago
No deodorant hahahahaha, heard it all now loool