Grounds For Rejection

I work for a coffee chain that’s opening two new locations in a new massive mall development, so we’re hiring like crazy. This results in conducting group interviews to get through the numbers. 

We start with a breezy opening question.

Me: “So, what’s everyone’s favorite drink from [Coffee Chain]?”

Interviewee #1: “I like black coffee, but then when I get bored of it, I pour in milk halfway through and turn it into tea.”

Me: “Tea?”

Interviewee #1: “Yeah. You know how, when you pour milk in coffee to turn it into tea?”

I look to the other interviewees to see if any of them will step in to correct her.

Interviewee #2: “Wow…”

Here we go.

Interviewee #2: “I didn’t know that!”

Oh no…

Not one of them knew enough to contradict her. At this point, I wasn’t blaming them, but the recruitment guy who let all these resumés get to the group interview stage.

I get things back on track.

Interviewee #3: “I like the coconut frappe.”

Me: “Well, a frappe is a Starbucks drink. I wanted to know your favorite drink from [Our Chain].”

Interviewee #3: “Oh, I don’t order any drinks from here. They all suck.”

And just when I thought things couldn’t get any worse…

Interviewee #4: “This isn’t Starbucks?”