Just over two years ago, I wrote a post about job fairs. Every year, I can count on attending at least two major conferences geared towards video games and their makers. I love going to these conferences. I love the networking aspect and I love meeting new people.
We typically purchase space to put up a booth in the career center at these conferences. If I stopped to count, I am willing to bet we see over a thousand people on average over our time on site. Some of them are passionate. Some are super smart. Some are the next big thing!
But this post isn’t about them. It’s about the others. The people who make you cringe when you see them coming. I’m leaving out Mr. Sweaty Hand and Mr. Girl Handshake. We see them everywhere. These people are special. They attend job fairs like Brett Favre attends retirement ceremonies.
#5) The Oblivious: The Oblivious is the guy who is totally..well…oblivious. You know how, after talking to someone for way longer than you’re comfortable with, you say something like, “Well, thanks for chatting. Have fun at the rest of the show,” and they respond with, “Thanks… did I mention that I beat Halo 3 on Legendary in under 15 hours?” and then you proceed to give an apologetic smile to the 20 people lined up behind him? Well, that’s the Oblivious.
#4) The Halitosis: Dude, this guy annoys me. First rule of thumb when you know you will be talking to multiple people throughout the day, brush your teeth. Second rule, pick up a pack of mints or gum on your way. Quick and simple solution to this problem. But, The Halitosis doesn’t think of this. He forgets his morning oral hygiene and then proceeds to order a double espresso with an Everything Bagel topped with Onion/Garlic cream cheese.
#3) The Arrogant: This is the guy that can’t understand why we haven’t hired him, already.
“But…I applied to that position over a month ago. I totally meet the requirements”
“Well, it’s a very competitive role and we have some candidates with a stronger background in ABC.”
“But…I beat Halo on Legendary in under 15 hours!”
#2) The Confrontational: I don’t know if I see this more as a Microsoft recruiter, or if it’s universal. This is the person who comes to your booth simply to tell you about how much your product sucks. “Microsoft is stupid for not doing this exact thing that your competitor is doing.” Or, “That game you made sucked. What a horrible ending.” These brilliant observations are always capped off with, “Can I leave you my resume?”
#1) The Stupid Question: My (least) favorite. This guys asks things like, “Are you hiring?” and ”What kinds of positions are you hiring for?” and ”What company are you with?” (completing missing the 10 foot sign behind me that says Xbox). I think The Stupid Question is related to The Oblivious. Even after you talk to them for a while and try to coach them a bit on how to present themselves, they’ll often end with another dinger like, “How much do you pay your employees?”
These guys haunt me at every conference I go to. Doesn’t matter what city I am in or what talent pool I am hunting for at that particular event. All five of these characters come by to see me at some point. I still talk to them. I don’t roll my eyes or condescend (although I may take a step back and hold my breath when the Halitosis comes by). But… I am beginning to feel like I am being followed.
Who am I missing? Let me know in the comments.
How about The No-Talker? They silently hand you their resume and no matter what you ask them, you get such short answers you wonder why they’ve bothered to come to a job fair. I had a couple of those at the last fair I went to. After 1 or 2 questions with responses like that, it’s all about “OK, thank you. You blew it. NEXT!”
What about the person who goes to collect pens, Frisbees, magnets and other company emblematic toys?
#1 Totally gets me at every job fair!! I love the list, it is right on.
The hoarder that wants all your free-bees but has absolutely no interest in a job- Go figure.
Hilarious! Looks you covered some really good ones here. Anyone who has worked a job fair or event and has to have lots of conversations with candidates or prospects can feel your pain.
A couple that may have been missed: the “sick” candidate who clearly has a cold and should keep there distance or who should have just stayed home. Also, what about the shy/introverted type that comes near your booth several times, but never comes in. Finally, don’t discount the nervous/fidgety candidate. Plenty more I’m missing for sure.
#6- the sneakers, dirty jeans, and football jersey guy. I don’t care if you are applying for a job fixing railroad track….. look sharp.
Jason _
Great post – how about the I Reak of Alcohol guy – whether it was from the 4 beer lunch they just came from, or the 12 beer dinner the night before – you telling me “you decided to leave your last job” isn’t something I’m buying as I get a contact buzz from the alcohol seeping from your pores.
Also – Hickey on the Neck guy – Bro, I’m sure you’re excited about making out all night with your 15 year old single parent girl friend – but I don’t need to know about it by the giant welts on your neck!
Don’t forget The Talker – Person who is talking on the phone, very loud…in front of your booth. Do it outside the Fair
Excellent post! I am an agency owner and frontline recruiter who represents my brand at the job expos / conferences.
Heres what I HATE… The Negative person.
The one that has been rejected by numurous recruiters and takes the opportunity to vent all of their frustration and anger about all of their negative experiences and takes it out on you – “Ahhh security, help please!”
I stopped reading here: “Mr. Girl Handshake”
How edgy! What a cutting insult! Because there’s NOTHING worse than comparing a man to a woman, is there? Because, as we all know, women are weak. Not like the strapping, confident men folk!
You’re better than this, aren’t you? Please consider the implications of your words.
I use your earlier blog post in a workshop for my students about career fair preparation actually, and it’s worked very well. I’d like to think that my students don’t fall into any of these categories, but there are a few choice chuckleheads that do. Sometimes, no matter how many times I discuss it with them, they are going to be Mr. Oblivious or Mr. Dumb Question.
And K, I agree with you, because not every girl has a weak handshake. I work with mostly men, and have never presented like a limp fish!
all great irritations but i think you left off two that especially irritate me…
the i-have-no-work-experience OR U.S.-work-authorization but why WOULDN’T you hire me people and the clearly-you-recruiters/hr people-don’t-know-what-you-are-doing-b/c-i-am-not-getting-interviewed people… that last kind of fits with the arrogant/confrontational people but i continue to be amazed at the people that insult you to your face and then ask you to put in a good word for them…and keep in touch!