Imagine doing so poorly in a job interview that you get rejected before you even make it past the reception desk.
You can have all the qualifications, skill, charisma, and research under your belt, but if you don't make a good first impression, you could be out the door just as quickly as you walked in.
That's what happened to one hopeful lad who fell at the first hurdle when he missed one company's trick to weed out any unfriendly applicants.
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The tale was shared on the Reddit 'Life Pro Tips' forum, and it reads as follows: "Today, a candidate blew his interview in the first 5 minutes after he entered the building."
An employee explained how it all went down.
They said: "He was dismissive to the receptionist. She greeted him and he barely made eye contact. She tried to engage him in conversation. Again, no eye contact, no interest in speaking with her.
"What the candidate did not realise was that the 'receptionist' was actually the hiring manager.
"She called him back to the conference room and explained how every single person on our team is valuable and worthy of respect.
"Due to his interaction with the 'receptionist', the hiring manager did not feel he was a good fit. Thank you for your time but the interview is over.
"Be nice to everyone in the building."
Talk about catching a red flag early!
It's hard to understand why the bloke in question would have been so dismissive of the receptionist in the first place. Even if he got the job, he'd have to see this receptionist that he was rude to every day - and surely, as in every office, word gets around.
A comment on the post made just this point.
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It read: "I'll add as someone who's been on every step of the hiring ladder, even if the receptionist wasn't the hiring manager, that receptionist will still get her two cents in at the water cooler while decisions are being made.
"In a few fields I've worked in, it wasn't just the people in the conference room that were consulted before making an offer.
"Be on point at all times, every employee is a potential team mate and they're all assessing you."
Indeed, recruiters are as keen to hire people who fit in with the team as they are to take on someone with a glittering CV, so it's never a good idea to give anyone the cold shoulder.
Plus, you can never really know how many eyes are on you once you step through that door.
Another Reddit user added: "A few jobs ago, I caught the elevator on my way to the interview. The chatty guy in with me... company CEO.
"I got the job, luckily I am all high energy and friendly when nervous, so he liked me even before I saw him a few hours later. Be nice to everyone."
Topics: Reddit
Ali Condon