Top Echelon is back with another crazy recruiting story! So far, we’ve had a boa constrictor interview and a candidate who was arrested by two (count them, TWO) police officers.
This week, our story deals with another candidate who did not get past the interview stage . . . and it was not because he had a boa constrictor around his neck. Once again, this story was submitted to us a few years ago by a Top Echelon Network recruiter.
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“Several years ago, I was in general recruiting here in [Mobile, Ala.] I had a long-time client that I recruited sales people for. I had set up an interview one afternoon for a candidate who I felt was a ‘shoo-in.’ I felt his background was excellent and also that he and the hiring manager, who I knew quite well, would hit it off. They had the same interests, personality, etc. Later, I found out just how much they had in common! I was really feeling good about this one.
“The interview was at 3 p.m. and knowing the hiring manager as I did, I knew I would get a call after the interview. I waited in my office for the call until almost five o’clock, and since I had not heard from the hiring manager or the candidate, I called the company.
“I was told that the hiring manager was out of the office, and knowing him the way I did, I understood why he didn’t call me. I decided to speak with the office manager to see if I could get any information. Since I had worked with the client for so long, I also knew this person quite well. As we were talking, I knew something odd was going on. He finally “spilled the beans.”
“The hiring manager’s wife was apparently having a long-term affair, and during the interview, he somehow discovered that the candidate I sent was the person his wife was seeing! He came over the desk and the fight was on! They both ended up in the emergency room. It was nothing serious, but apparently each of them got in some really good punches.
“My candidate was not hired—not a big surprise—but I managed to keep the client and that certainly WAS a surprise! What I never understood was why the candidate took the interview. He had to know who he was seeing. I never spoke with him again. He did not return my call.
“And now you have ‘the rest of the story’ . . .”
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Remember, there are two ways you can submit your craziest recruiting story:
- You can email your story to marketing@topechelon.com.
- You can add the story in the comments section at the end of this blog post.
Keep in mind that you can remain anonymous if you would like, and by submitting your story, you give us permission to include the story in a future blog or social media post. And be sure to check back with the Top Echelon Blog.
Because more crazy recruiting stories are on the way!