Job hunters are increasingly showing quirky behavior during the interview process, with some even bringing their parents or pets,
USA Today reports.
Millennials, those between 18 and 34, are the worst offenders, hiring managers say. Over the past three years they’ve seen more interviewees take phone calls, send text messages, and use overly casual language and dress.
Mara Swan, executive vice president of the staffing firm Manpower, blames the trend on Millennials having grown up with smartphones and text messaging.
Jaime Fall, vice president of the HR Policy Association, told USA Today that Millennials have been coddled by their parents. "It's (a mindset of) 'You're perfect just the way are. Do whatever you're comfortable doing.'"
In fact, one applicant brought his father to an interview for an assembly line job. Another father called to negotiate a higher salary after his child had received a job offer.
Yet another job seeker brought her cat to the interview, sat the crate containing it on the interviewer’s desk and periodically played with it.
"It hit me like — why would you think that's OK?" said Mark Dillon, the former recruiting director of American Eagle. "She cut herself off before she had a chance."
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