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Let’s dive into a captivating discussion today that may stir up some serious reflections: What is the strangest experience you’ve encountered during a job interview, whether as a candidate or as an interviewer? We are eager to hear your stories! This topic provides a refreshing break from the intense discussions surrounding the current challenging job market, although we should probably revisit that pressing issue soon too.
The inspiration for this post came from a recent New York Times “Work Friend” column [gift link] that has been circulating widely on the internet, showcasing an incredibly unusual reader question that sparked our curiosity.
For those who may have missed it, here’s the reader’s rather unconventional inquiry:
We recently had a job candidate come in to give a presentation as part of the interview process and bring family members with them — their spouse and several children. This included a 1-year-old who the candidate carried around and interacted with, repeatedly interrupting their own presentation. The candidate also kicked off their shoes and walked around barefoot during the presentation. No one from H.R. was at the presentation (not unusual), but I did mention it to H.R. staff after the fact. The H.R. representative said that it is a generational difference and many candidates are showing up at interviews with parents, spouses, children or other family members in tow. This does not seem professional to me. Have I lost my mind? Does H.R. need to make a “no-family policy” for interviews?
The reactions to this bizarre situation were quite shocking, and we suspect many who have encountered this narrative shared similar sentiments (with the exception of those who might be engaging in such behavior, of course!).
In previous years, when millennials were still in their early careers, we often heard stories about young candidates bringing their PARENTS to interviews and even parents directly contacting hiring managers (though both claims may have been somewhat exaggerated). Now, as the H.R. representative mentioned, it appears that “[M]any candidates are showing up at interviews with parents, spouses, children or other family members.” Is this truly happening, or are we witnessing a new trend for staged TikToks? Sadly, it appears that this is not the case.
Beyond your likely reactions of disbelief (“Seriously, this is happening?!” or “The audacity!”), we would love to hear your thoughts on this emerging “trend.” If this is indeed becoming more common, what could possibly be prompting such behavior? Occasionally, we hear about single mothers who, facing last-minute childcare issues, feel compelled to bring their children to job interviews (especially in sectors like retail or food service), but this situation seems to take it to a whole new level.
The Work Friend columnist, Anna Holmes, expressed that she chose this peculiar question primarily to determine whether this behavior is genuinely prevalent. In her exploration to fact-check the “trend,” she found no similar instances but did identify two scenarios where bringing someone to an interview could be deemed acceptable:
One: The candidate has mobility issues and needs assistance. Two: The candidate has other disabilities and needs assistance with communicating.
Do you agree with these points, or can you think of any additional scenarios? Clearly, the circumstances described in the original inquiry do not fit either of these categories.
Readers, please share your experiences: Have you ever encountered candidates bringing family members to an interview? What is the most unusual thing you’ve witnessed during a job interview, whether you were the interviewer or the candidate? (Both humorous and serious accounts are welcome!) How did you handle the situation, and what were the outcomes of the individual’s behavior? Did you feel the need to report it to H.R.?
