Ever try to fail a job interview?

[sammyg2]

I've always went into job interviews trying to make a good impression and acting like I wanted the job. I did just the opposite yesterday and it seemed to work better.
Kind of reminds me of that movie Office Space. Go figure.
Here's the details:

About a month ago a headhunter I've dealt with before contacted me about what sounded like a very attractive position.

Last week he calls and wants to set up the interview. I say OK, set it up.
He calls back the next day and says it's a done deal, but now the job description has changed from what he originally told me (headhunters fit somewhere between lawyers and used car salesmen) and instead of it being a major oil company, it's for a small independent oil company at a very small refinery. The kind of refinery that tends to go bankrupt or close down when margins gets tight.

The job description means having to wear many hats, more responsibility with less support, a really big fish in a very small pond.
I hesitate but he convinces me to at least talk to them. OK. I'll talk to them. Don't know why. Maybe I was just curious, Maybe it was greed or boredom, maybe all.

Three bosses come in, one was the plant manager (who I would be reporting to) and two guys from corporate. They told me about the position and I explained the miss-communication and tell them what I was expecting and what my concerns were. I was very open and didn't mince words, called it exactly like I saw it with no sugar-coating which I figured would normally make a really bad impression.
After about 30 minutes they ask me what it would take to get me to come to work for them. I sensed desperation. Uh oh.

I tell them what I have now (a sweet gig), tell them exactly what my current situation is and explain what it would take to get me to change jobs and why. The minimum salary I would consider was way more than they were expecting to hear. Probably about $60k more. I could tell they thought that was a deal breaker which didn't bother me in the least. Then one of the guys from corporate said "I'll have to run this by the CEO. Uh oh again. Should have asked for more.

I really don't want the job and intentionally priced myself out of the market, but I'm still worried they might agree to it.
The problem is, if they offered the kind of money I asked for it would be very hard to turn down even if the job wasn't exactly what I want. Greed sucks.

[Dennis Kalma]

Yeah, been there done that....it seems like it has the opposite effect. I am always respectful and professional but I have several times told them point blank in the interview that the job was not what I was looking for, the pay was not relevant and I would be happy to help them scope out or even suggest other names that may be better for their company.

Net effect has been in one case that they dragged me back 5 times ( I am too polite I think) and kept on asking what it would take for me to take the job. One other time the headhunter took me out for breakfast and said the hiring company was willing to pay the headhunter to find a replacement for my current position, give me 3 months overlap and then I could start at the new place.

Made me think of stalkers....

Dennis

[Porsche-O-Phile]

I've had a couple that midway through, I realized wouldn't be a good fit for me, so I just kind of stopped caring at that point. I never was rude or anything, just was very blunt and to the point about how I felt about certain things. Normally you try to answer questions truthfully but also provide the interviewers with what they want to hear. Once you stop caring you can answer truthfully and be pretty direct with your counter-questions. On one I specifically told the interviewer, "a moment ago, you mentioned that this firm aspires to retain employees and not be 'hire/fire'. Can you give me some specific examples of how this is accomplished as well as telling me exactly how many employees have been 'let go' over the last 5 years?" Stunned silence. Another time an H.R. boob asked me to consent to a credit check to which I just pushed the chair back and said "in order to work as a draftsman in an architectural office doing residential work? I think we're done here". This was early in my career. If it was an executive position or I was working for an office doing work for the CIA or something then I'd understand, but this was neither. I always try to be polite and professional, yet also don't let myself get bullied by idiots.

[DanielDudley]

Works with women too.