DS aged 16 has been looking for a job since he started college at the beginning of September. He has basic retail experience (paper boy then taken on to stack shelves and serve on till until he has to quit to work on his GCSEa) and is hardworking, smart, kind, reliable and lovely (biased I know!). He had 2 interviews for McDonald’s and I had always heard they were good employers. He researched, dressed well, practised answers with me etc.
Interview number one: Sat down at a dirty table, interviewer (in son’s words) slouched at the table and just chatted. Seemed to go well in terms of his answers. Son said he had brought his CV if the interviewer wanted to see it. Told, ‘no, it means nothing to me’. Fair enough if it was not needed but odd turn of phrase! Got an email saying he had been unsuccessful. No offer of feedback, just a request for HIM to give THEM feedback on their process! 🙄 He really thought it has gone well so phoned 4 times to get through to a manager to ask for feedback. Eventually (after speaking to abrupt staff) spoke to him and was told it was literally his availability that didn’t match what the store needed. Was told he did really well and when DS asked could he give him advice for a future interview was told no just to do exactly as he did first time. Fair enough.
Interview number two: Followed the link to book an interview and was offered 3 slots, all within 40 mins of each other, the very next day. He was due to perform at an event in college at that time but really wanted the job too so booked the latest slot with the intention of trying to sort something with college. Went to college and was told although he would have finished performing at that time, there was an important session he needed to be at. He then phoned McDonald’s (all off his own bat btw, none of this did I even know about until later), and they said he could go the following day. The next day he was on his way, about to board the train, and got an email saying he had been unsuccessful! He phoned to clarify and they said it was an error and still to come. Arrived and felt they had no interest in him whatsoever. Again sat at a dirty table, interviewer didn’t want to see the documents he’d been asked to bring, was completely disinterested in DS or his answers and even walked off at the end leaving DS sitting at the table. Interviewer said he’d hear back the next day. He knew from the email he’d got on his way and the way he’d been treated in the interview that they’d already recruited. He didn’t hear back the next day or the day after. He phoned and spoke to the store manager to ask for an update who said oh yes he must have forgotten to send the email, I’ll make sure he does. Almost 2 weeks on now he’s had nothing.
Shocking way to treat our young people. I don’t believe he’s have had the same as an adult. What kind of message does that send to them about respect, their worth and the world of work in general? He was more professional throughout the whole thing than any one of the staff members he encountered. He’s left deflated and wondering will he ever get any work. He’s applied for upwards of 50 positions and is getting nowhere. Indeed usually says he’s one of 965 or one of 568 who have applied so he stands no chance 😩