Hiring Managers Ask Job Applicants to Dance to Land Job Interviews (For Real)

In an effort to keep things light on a Monday, here goes: Currys retail store in Wales seems like just that at first glance -- a retail shop. It's certainly not a disco but it probably felt that way to job seeker Alan Bacon. According to CNNMoney, he pursued a job in customer assistance at the store along with eight other candidates. Apparently they were split into two groups and asked to dance with each other in order to land an interview. Disconcerting, yes? He told CNNMoney, "We were told to dance for the chance at a real interview. I would have walked out, but I needed a job so I just smiled and did it." It sounds like cutting a rug didn't help his cause when he did the robot to the song, "Around the World," by Daft Punk. (He didn't get an interview.) Pointing out the experience was degrading and humiliating for "an older gentleman who was just made redundant from his job," according to Bacon, the managers enjoyed themselves watching the dance moves. So, how can an employer get away with asking candidates to cut a rug which was absolutely irrelevant to the job description? Job seekers wanted the job so they danced away but the aftermath ensues. A representative of the parent company of Currys issued a formal apology indicating managers didn't follow official recruitment processes. Per the CNN piece, the statement read: "We are investigating the store members who held the recruitment session. We are extremely sorry to those interviewees impacted; all are being asked to attend another interview where they will be given a proper opportunity to demonstrate how they can contribute to our business." That said, Bacon hasn't been asked to come back for a second chance but the story does have a little silver lining. He's been receiving unique opportunities such as an offer of almost $4,000 from a British newspaper to dance in a video. Thinking long-term about his career planning and branding, he turned them down. Bacon dished, "It's a lot of money, but it's a video that would follow me for the rest of my life. It's not really worth it."

Fishbowl

Hiring Managers Ask Job Applicants to Dance to Land Job Interviews (For Real)

Vicki Salemi

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Vicki Salemi