Very Weird Applicant

[HogwartsAlum]

Yikes.  Just yikes.

I work for a manufacturer in the office (front desk) and a man just came in to see if we were hiring.  He looked neat and professional, until he opened his mouth. 

He asked me if we were hiring.  I told him I didn't know, what type of position was he looking for?  He said maintenance/machinist. I said I didn't know about that but we always accept applications.  He asked me if there was an HR person he coudl talk to (FLAG #1).  I said, "Let me see if she has time to talk to you, or has any answers."  Then I went back and told my HR person what he wanted, and she said just to tell him we were only hiring for production at the moment.

I went back up to the desk and told him that.  He said he was looking for something more skilled, and he kept standing there looking at me as though he expected me to change my mind and say, "You know, I think we have an opening like that after all."  Then he wanted to take the app with him.  I had to tell him no less than THREE times that HR prefers that the applications not leave the building (FLAG #2).  He danced around it like a professional con man, trying to get me to let him take it. He even tried to tell me he'd go out and fill it out in his car!
 I stayed as polite and professional as possible, and kept telling him that it was policy for the apps to stay in the building. 

Finally, he asked me if we had a copier so he could make an extra copy of his resume(FLAG #3 - he looked as though he wanted to come around the counter).  I told him that I would be happy to make a copy for him.  He said he was going out to get his resume.  He left and didn't return.

I told my HR person about it, and told her that I would flag his app if he came back.  Now am I crazy, or was this just rude?  Don't you think if someone tells you what the policy is regarding applications, that you would make a much better impression if you actually followed the company's policy?  Did he think that he was entitled to "better" treatment since he wasn't applying for a production position?  Sheesh! 

Edited because I was so freaked out I forgot to put in my 2nd and 3rd flags)

[wetblanket]

Yup - weird and rude. 

[NOVA Lady]

So weird. Why was he so insistant on seeing more of the work place (see the HR manager, use the copy machine) and to have the application to leave with?

Hmmm.....perhaps the competition or a new competitor scoping out how its done elsewhere?

In anycase, a job applicant should always follow procedure for filling out applications. I mean if someone cannot even follow that simple procedure why on earth would they be trusted to actually do the job?

Good thing he never came back, I hope he doesn't bug you again!!

[Chocolate Cake]

I guess if I were to apply at your company, you would think I was weird too.

I would also want to see if an HR person was available to speak with because I'd want to ask more than just about the production jobs.  I'd have some specific questions about the company, how often a position matching my skills actually comes available, etc.   I'd want to get a feel for the working environment and to see how people are treated when speaking to a company hiring representative.

I would also prefer to fill out the app at home so I could double check phone numbers, use my best handwriting, attach a fresh copy of my resume, etc.

If I was denied both these very normal requests (in my opinion), I would leave and not come back too.   The only concession I can see is that he should have made an appointment with HR as opposed to expecting someone to be available whenever he decided to stop by.

(As an aside, what is so special about your apps that they can't leave the building?  

[HogwartsAlum]

So weird. Why was he so insistant on seeing more of the work place (see the HR manager, use the copy machine) and to have the application to leave with?

Hmmm.....perhaps the competition or a new competitor scoping out how its done elsewhere?

In anycase, a job applicant should always follow procedure for filling out applications. I mean if someone cannot even follow that simple procedure why on earth would they be trusted to actually do the job?

Good thing he never came back, I hope he doesn't bug you again!!

That's what I thought...the whole thing was really just....off.   Oh, and he asked about the pay scale, and when I said I didn't know, he asked me again in a different way.  (!!!! )  I just told him when I was looking, that I just put a range down if I didn't know.

I think he was one of those people that thought if he could talk to the HR person that he could make his impression then, as though it were an interview.  I had to stop myself from saying "Wait til you're in the interview, ya chump!"  

[HogwartsAlum]

I guess if I were to apply at your company, you would think I was weird too.

I would also want to see if an HR person was available to speak with because I'd want to ask more than just about the production jobs.  I'd have some specific questions about the company, how often a position matching my skills actually comes available, etc.   I'd want to get a feel for the working environment and to see how people are treated when speaking to a company hiring representative.

I would also prefer to fill out the app at home so I could double check phone numbers, use my best handwriting, attach a fresh copy of my resume, etc.

If I was denied both these very normal requests (in my opinion), I would leave and not come back too.   The only concession I can see is that he should have made an appointment with HR as opposed to expecting someone to be available whenever he decided to stop by.

(As an aside, what is so special about your apps that they can't leave the building?  

I don't know why that policy was implemented; just that it's policy.  That is how it was explained to me and that is how I explain it to anyone who asks.  I wasn't given the reason.

When I was looking for work, I went to each place prepared to fill out apps and leave resumes right then and there.  I carried a binder with me that had all my information inside, plus extra copies of my resume.  I was always prepared BEFORE I went in there, in case I was asked to interview at that time, which happened a few times.  I understand why he was asking, and I understand wanting to speak to someone.  I did check for him, but my HR was very busy and could not see him.  He kept asking me questions even after I said "I don't know," and it was clear that I could not help him.  He didn't ask to make an appointment, either.  I don't know what else I could have done for him.

I still think that my having to tell him that THREE TIMES - no, four, because of the car remark - that the apps were to stay inside was excessive.  One time should have been enough.

[HogwartsAlum]

Yup - weird and rude. 

Thank you, I thought it was a little peculiar!

[Suze]

I wonder if he could read and write? 

Getting to take the app out of the building, would be one way to get someone else fill it out for him.

[EvilAlice]

I guess if I were to apply at your company, you would think I was weird too.

I would also want to see if an HR person was available to speak with because I'd want to ask more than just about the production jobs.  I'd have some specific questions about the company, how often a position matching my skills actually comes available, etc.   I'd want to get a feel for the working environment and to see how people are treated when speaking to a company hiring representative.

I would also prefer to fill out the app at home so I could double check phone numbers, use my best handwriting, attach a fresh copy of my resume, etc.

If I was denied both these very normal requests (in my opinion), I would leave and not come back too.   The only concession I can see is that he should have made an appointment with HR as opposed to expecting someone to be available whenever he decided to stop by.

Your normal requests are only normal requests in a scenario where you know the company is hiring for a position you intend to apply for and might therefore be interested in talking to you.  If someone just shows up unasked and unannounced, I don't think anyone at the company has any obligation to stop whatever they are doing and satisfy some random strangers curiosity as to whether they would deem this an acceptable workplace.

The strange man did not make an appointment, so your post is kind of like saying "if I go to someone's home, I expect to be treated hospitably" and then making the concession, "Unless I'm a burglar or door to door salesman."  You're talking about a completely different scenario.

[NOVA Lady]

I guess if I were to apply at your company, you would think I was weird too.

I would also want to see if an HR person was available to speak with because I'd want to ask more than just about the production jobs.  I'd have some specific questions about the company, how often a position matching my skills actually comes available, etc.   I'd want to get a feel for the working environment and to see how people are treated when speaking to a company hiring representative.

I would also prefer to fill out the app at home so I could double check phone numbers, use my best handwriting, attach a fresh copy of my resume, etc.

If I was denied both these very normal requests (in my opinion), I would leave and not come back too.   The only concession I can see is that he should have made an appointment with HR as opposed to expecting someone to be available whenever he decided to stop by.

(As an aside, what is so special about your apps that they can't leave the building?  

Its not so much that they're abnormal requests its the way/time they were made. I am the HR person at my work place (as well as the accountant, I do all hiring/selection/etc activities) and I would be more then annoyed if some person just walked in from the street and wanted to talk to me about possible jobs.

We don't have an application so I cannot speak to that.

[Lisbeth]

If he's not willing to follow company policy as an applicant, I think that tells you what you need to know about him as a potential employee.

Definitely red flag this person.

[Lisbeth]

I would also prefer to fill out the app at home so I could double check phone numbers, use my best handwriting, attach a fresh copy of my resume, etc.

I don't see that as normal because:
1) You are supposed to have sufficiently legible handwriting to fill out a job application, and
2) You should check that all information you are putting in your paperwork is correct ahead of time and bring it with you along with fresh copies of your resume to the place of employment when you go there the first time.  If you have to take it home to double check it, that says something not positive about your preparedness for applying for jobs and your professionalism.

[Chocolate Cake]

Your normal requests are only normal requests in a scenario where you know the company is hiring for a position you intend to apply for and might therefore be interested in talking to you.  

Not at all.  If you re-read my first paragraph, you'll see that it is entirely consistent with the scenario that the "best match" position is not open at the time.   And, if you re-read my last paragraph you'll see that I conceded that the applicant should have called to make an appointment for the opportunity to discuss his questions in-depth.   However, in many companies, HR personnel do frequently make themselves available on the fly to quickly respond to walk-in applicants whenever possible.   That is why I felt this man's requests were not outside the bounds of normalcy.

[Lunadiana75]

oops nevermind

[hobish]

I wonder if he could read and write? 

Getting to take the app out of the building, would be one way to get someone else fill it out for him.

That's exactly what i was thinking.