Cussers, Criers, and Hostage Takers

You may be wondering how the things in this title go together. They are all people I've interviewed in the last two weeks

Cussers
I've had not one but two people who used profanity during interviews during this time. We do strive for a relaxed atmosphere, but we aren't that relaxed. In both cases it was mentioned by the hiring team, and not in a positive manner. We currently have a 17 year old high school student working in our HR department for the summer. We mentioned to her about not using profanity in interviews. She said "I thought that was common sense." You would hope, but sadly it's not.

Criers
We had a candidate tear up when we asked a very innocuous interview question. I've never had that happen before. It was bizarre.

Hostage Takers
My coworker gets credit for this title. I'd asked her not too long ago how an interview went, and she told me she had been held hostage by a candidate who talked way too much. I also had two of those in two weeks. Let me share what one of our managers said quite some time ago said after he experienced a hostage taker: "When everyone in the room has put down their pens and pushed back from the table, it's time to stop talking." Oh how I wish everyone would follow this advice.

So, the take away from post? Don't cuss, cry, or take everyone hostage with your talking during your next interview.

The official shirt of HR people everywhere

I recently saw a customer in Wal-mart who had on a shirt that read:

"I used to be a people person. Then people ruined it." I told the lady wearing it that I loved her shirt, and I added that I work in HR. She got it.

I told my HR coworkers about it. My boss wanted to buy one, and another coworker asked where the woman had purchased it. Alas, I don't know. But if SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) wants to make a few bucks, do I have an idea for them.

You know you work in HR when....

You know you work in HR when you have this conversation with your boss:

Boss: "Have you drafted a response to crazo yet?"
Me: "Which one?"

Yes, welcome to my world.

You really should know this

This week is the final week of open enrollment at my job, and all of HR takes turns assisting employees with the sign up process. Yesterday during my shift I gave an employee a form to update his life insurance beneficiaries. As he was completing it said "I don't know my fiancee's middle name". He was serious. He is marrying this woman in July. He had to call her and ask her what it was. I was completely dumbfounded. I feel like this is really something you should know when you are engaged to someone.

The Wacky World of HR

I've shared some of my stories from the trenches of HR on this blog. SHRM recently published this article of real-life anecdotes from other HR professionals. There are some true gems. As we used to say at a former employer "HR is seldom boring."