When we graduate high school or college and go out into the “real world,” we expect to leave all that cattiness of grade school behind. Unfortunately, as life routinely reminds us, reality hardly ever meets our expectations. Alas, such was the case for one teen who made the simple mistake of assuming that professionals would act, well, in a professional manner.
Megan Dixon, an 18-year-old in search of her first job, landed an interview for a server position with Miller and Carter Steakhouse. Though she didn’t have high expectations for the interview (it being one of her first), she did hope to use it as a learning experience. She spoke with the assistant manager who, upon leaving, told Megan she’d be in contact in a few days…via email. Yet, almost as soon as Megan walked out of the restaurant, she received this brutal text message:
The text treat reads:
“Hi Megan, Can you please confirm that you are still available for your interview today at 2 pm with Shantell Wesson. – Miller and Carter Enderby”
“Yes”
“It’s a no x”
“Okay. How come? x”
“Just not engaging. And answers were “like” basic (laughing emoji) x”
The text message, which is highly uncalled for, clearly mocks Megan’s speech patterns AND ridicules her character, calling her “basic.”
Megan’s response to the whole incident was what one might expect in the face of such meanness: shock and then anger.
“I was shocked,” Megan confesses. “The least she should have given me was some proper feedback.
And the laughing face emoji was so unprofessional. It was a really bitchy thing to do.”
We agree Megan, we agree.
When asked about the incident, Shantel refused to comment but a Miller and Carter spokeswoman said: “We can’t apologise enough to Megan. It was never our intention to be disrespectful or upset her in any way. The texts were sent in error and were intended for our manager, not the candidate.” She added it was being taken “extremely seriously” and would be investigated.
Um, okay, so calling a candidate “basic” is okay, so long as it’s not to the candidate’s face? Try again, Miller and Carter.
Ignoring the fact that the whole incident is 100% NOT okay, it appears that the interview itself was doomed from the start. When asked about the meeting, Megan said, “[Shantel] didn’t even shake my hand, didn’t have my CV out and just sat drinking a coffee.” From the sounds of things, Miller and Carter not only needs to reevaluate who they hire but also, reevaluate their hiring processes as a whole.
It seems as if Megan might have had the last laugh, though, as all this negative press surrounding the company can’t bode well for its sales or the assistant manager’s job. The story has since gone viral, with many publications including pictures of the witch herself.
If patrons do see Shantel at Miller and Carter, they’re likely to treat her with the same respect she treated Megan…zilch.
Megan told The Sun, “Maybe because I’m 18 she thinks it’s OK not to be professional with me? I don’t know.”
No, Megan, it has nothing to do with your actual age and everything to do with Shantel’s mental mindset. If you can take the higher ground after receiving such an insulting job rejection, you’re already better off than the person who interviewed you.
Tips for Acing That Job Interview
While no first-time jobseeker should have to go through what Megan went through, the truth is that there are people out there–many of whom might be in supervisor positions–that will think little of you just because of your inexperience. Prove those people wrong by acing your first job interview and every one after that. Below are a few tips you can use to come off as the professional, intelligent and “non-basic” individual that you are:
- Research the Company. Memorize its mission, familiarize yourself with its reputation and know what skills, experience, and knowledge the company values in its employees.
- Get to Know the Job. Before heading to the interview, know what is to be expected of you in the role for which you’re applying. Familiarize yourself with job duties, function and the skills and experience you’re expected to possess.
- Be Prepared to Answer Common Job Interview Questions. Why do you want to work here? Where do you see yourself in five years? What are your strengths and weaknesses? Why should we hire you?
- Arrive With a List of Questions of Your Own. What does a typical day look like? What is the company culture like? What do you like best about working here? Stick to three to five questions at most. After all, it’s you who is being interviewed and not the other way around.
- Dress the Part: Forego the jeans and teeshirt and wear slacks and a nice blouse or button up–even if the culture is a casual one. Everything about your first impression needs to be impeccable, including your outfit.
- Practice Your Speech: In addition to rehearsing the answers to common questions, you should also practice speaking without saying “um,” “like,” “yeah” and other common phrases that arise out of nervousness. Though most employers understand that ALL job seekers, and not just first-time ones, are bound to be slightly nervous during the Q&A sesh, you want to be prepared for the Shantel’s of this world, who seem to forget that they too were once on the other end of the questioning.
It’s unfortunate that Megan had to go through such a brutal first job rejection, but her story has served as a reminder of a few things:
- People in the real world are just as catty as those you encountered in high school.
- If you don’t stoop to their level, you WILL come out ahead.
- Maturity has nothing to do with age and everything to do with mental mindset.
If you’re in the market for your first job, keep the above three points in mind as well as the aforementioned job tips and you should be just fine.
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