WorkWise BlogTip: Talk is cheap

You can't always understand why an employer says what he does. John Van Zante (www.animalcenter.org) spotted a job he really wanted, then landed an interview.

The interviewer set the tone: "This is only a courtesy interview. I already know who I'm going to hire. She's fresh out of college, has a marketing degree, and can be molded into what I want." Van Zante took control and got the job.

In the Let's-See-How-Self-Centered-We-Can-Be category are two radio guys. One set an appointment with the job hunter, allowed him to drive 25 miles, and had him cool his heels in the waiting area for almost an hour. Then he decided he wasn't in the mood. Van Zante got out before things got worse!

Then there was a programming director who commented, "It must be terrible to be looking for work. I'm glad that I have a job. I've had my job more than 20 years. Too bad you don't have a job. I'll bet you wish you were me."

In another life, Van Zante was working at a competing radio station. The first job application he received came from "Mister 'I'll-bet-you-wish-you-were-me.'" Mister's chances went up in smoke from that long-ago burned bridge.

Dr. Mildred Culp welcomes your questions at culp@workwise.net. Copyright 2009 Passage Media.