if it sounds fishy, it probably is

Yesterday I received a phone call from what I thought to be a prospective employer. The girl on the phone was hasty in her speech and did not introduce herself either. It didn't leave a very good impression especially since I had to ask for the address of the company after she requested that I come in for an interview. Oh and the fact that she wasn't quite clear on the company name either and  I thought it was a recruiting agency.

Recruiter: " SO are you new graduate??"

Me: "No."

Recruiter: " Oh so you're looking for a career switch?"

Me: "yes, I am."

In my head I'm thinking, what? Don't you have my resume?

Oh wells. Even though I was having some serious misgivings about the rather unprofessional recruiting attitude displayed over the the phone, I agreed to come in for an interview. I brushed it off to it just being "Singapore". I mean, so far, my experience in recruiting here have been dismal to say the least, most of which I can overlook except for unfair hiring practices. One of my biggest beefs in Singapore! *Grrrrrrr* And I refuse to submit a photo of my myself with a resume! NEVER!!! Afterall, I wouldn't want to work for a company that bases their hire on looks rather than skill! But that's a post for another time.

Now I wish I had not wasted my time. I should have just stayed home and honed my cooking skills.

I spent over an hour with "agents" who were basically trying to sell me the idea of becoming an insurance agent or Financial Advisor. Oh I'm sure they are the best "agency" in town and that a few of their advisors are making really good money. Of course, there is good money or else there won't be any insurance agents!

The rhetoric was all so drawn out and well-scripted. I wanted to laugh as I imagined him practising this speech in front of the mirror. As my eyes teared over and I stifled a yawn, I was amazed at myself for being able to feign interest.Every once in a while, I'd be jolted awake by one of his incessant questions.

"SO which department is the most important in a company?"

"Why do you think we have invested in this conference room here"

Buzz, buzz, buzzing on.

Ok, I know questions are to be expected at interviews. But every question was an opportunity for him to "sell" and not to find out more about the candidate - me! Now, I'm not dissing the job of insurance agents or financial advisors but it was a really lame interview.

Oh and I think I might have heard what qualifies as one of the lamest jokes I've heard.

"SO have you talked to a millionaire"

Actually I have but I have no interest in telling you that.

"Because I talk to one everyday! My boss is a millionaire."

Urrm Am I supposed to be impressed by that? I'd probably be more impressed if he had 3 ears and 5 eyes. And maybe, just maybe, impressed if he could do magic tricks with coins.

Come on, give me a break. We're all humans and so he may have a ton of money but I sure don't find that impressive. Let alone be impressed by you talking to him.

Bottomline - am not sold and am not interested. Am I stupid to give up making exponential amounts of money?? WHO knows? I just couldn't picture myself scripting out and practising sales speeches, especially if they were as lame as that!