Sandwich Technician

I believe I’ve just had one of the shortest job interviews in history. My previous two were also fairly short, and quite disappointing.

The first was for a customer service role. I got an email confirming the date and time, which also asked me to “note the dress code is smart business dress”. When I got there, the receptionist was dressed in a fairly casual strappy top. She also had the local radio on very loud, and didn't turn it down when she was on the phone. The DJ talked at length about the high price of Hornby train sets.

After waiting 20 minutes, I was called in, answered about three standard questions (example: why do you want the job?), and then listened to a long description of the job. I’m sure the interviewer spent longer talking than me. Isn’t the point of an interview to get information about the applicant? Why would you invite someone to be interviewed, and spend the whole time talking yourself?

The following week, I had a similar experience in an interview for a hotel job. The manager made me wait more than 20 minutes, asked three or four simple questions, and then gave me a lot of uninteresting detail about the job. I was rejected.

My latest interview was even more disappointing. I applied for a job as a 'kitchen assistant'.

“Part time Kitchen Assistant required for a Pub in [nearby town], approx 16 hours per week, mainly evenings and weekends. We are looking for someone who can work with our Pub Chef, but who can also work alone and use initiative. Rate of pay £6/£7 per hour depending on experience. 
“Call or email to arrange interview.”

I soon got an email:

“Thank you for your recent enquiry, I will be conducting drop in interviews tomorrow Tuesday 16th and Thursday 18th August between 2-4pm, I hope you can make this time. For the right applicant we would require immediate start.”

I replied: “Hi, Thursday afternoon would be the best for me - what time would be best?” Their response: “Interviews will be held between 2-4pm.”

I arrived at 3:50. The manager was not expecting me, and was in the middle of something, so I had to wait a while. I was then given an application form, and left for a bit longer. When the manager finally arrived, she had a quick look at form. I can remember the full text of the interview that followed:

“So, do you have kitchen experience?”

“No.”

Lady One Question strikes again

That was it. She then explained that she was looking for someone with experience, but would get back to me if anything else came up, or if none of the other applicants had any experience either. I guess our total conversation was over in 60 seconds.

I felt a little insulted. If the manager had bothered to glance at my CV before inviting me for interview, she would have seen that I have no kitchen experience. Alternatavely, she could have mentioned in the job advert that experience was required, and I wouldn’t have bothered applying. As it was, I wasted about an hour getting to and from the interview.

Was I supposed to know that experience was so important? Perhaps kitchen work is more difficult than I thought. This job certainly looks demanding:

Breakfast chef/sandwich technician

We are looking for a fully experienced chef/sandwich/baguette maker. This is a solo position for a chef who can work quickly and cleanly preparing breakfasts, baking frozen products and sandwich and baguete production in a busy central Brighton cafe. 7 a.m. start, flexible shifts to include weekends. Please email cv.