Love this Chick fil-A interview technique

[gwynne]

But it's not their job yet! If I worked there, I would definitely pick up the trash, because I would have pride in my place of employment's appearance. But on a job interview? I don't think I would feel responsible for the mess, honestly.

Or picking up the trash could be interpreted as showing off, or a bit of a criticism.

 

[gemini2727]

Or picking up the trash could be interpreted as showing off, or a bit of a criticism.

Yes, I think is a kind of random way to judge someone's character

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

But it's not their job yet! If I worked there, I would definitely pick up the trash, because I would have pride in my place of employment's appearance. But on a job interview? I don't think I would feel responsible for the mess, honestly.

But that is the point.

Are you the type of person to pick up the trash when it isn't your responsibility? Rather than only doing it because it is.

 

[wvjules]

Not picking up trash at a job interview = no pride in place of employment?

Odd.

 

[gemini2727]

But that is the point.

Are you the type of person to pick up the trash when it isn't your responsibility? Rather than only doing it because it is.

I'm someone who takes all of her clothing out of the dressing room (I'll even take items others have left), I pick up clothes that that are off of the rack, and boxes that have fallen off the store shelf, so I'm not opposed to helping. But trash on the floor, like a napkin or unidentified garbage, not so much. I wouldn't want to touch that. If I worked at the restaurant, I wouldn't mind as much because at least I could wash my hands after touching garbage, but that's just my germaphobe self.

 

[Kellykins1218]

I worked for a toy store for 12 years and can't walk through a toy section without straightening but I won't pick up someone's trash.

 

[L&Lfan]

I always tend to pick up stray trash at Disney. If someone left crap on a counter service table i put it in the trash receptacle. Just keeping the parks magical! BTW, we love Chick Fil A!

 

[DisneyOma]

I think they need a better standard for picking good employees and employers, all the way up the chain. They barely started to make things a tiny bit right back in 2012 after a lot of bad publicity, but they keep waffling. Not impressed.

 

[gwynne]

But that is the point.

Are you the type of person to pick up the trash when it isn't your responsibility? Rather than only doing it because it is.

I'm not judging on whether or not you pick up the trash. But if you do... I would judge whether or not you went to the restroom after to wash your hands. I don't pick up trash and then shake someone's hand. I wouldn't think much of someone who did.

 

[aaarcher86]

So someone that doesn't pick up the wrapper has poor character?

Not saying they have poor character, but it could be seen as someone that would go out of their way to do something they're not obligated to do.

The person just does what needs done. They'd be less likely to say "that's not in my job description."

I doubt it's a maker breaker but could give someone an extra point or two.

 

[Aliceacc]

I can see how a 16 year old kid, even one who routinely would pick up the trash, would be hesitant to do so at a job interview. He would probably think that noticing the trash would imply that the employer wasn't providing a clean atmosphere.

I can tell you for a fact that both my kids-- who are gainfully employed and good employees-- would absolutely ignore that paper during a job interview.

 

[Lilacs4Me]

I worked for a toy store for 12 years and can't walk through a toy section without straightening but I won't pick up someone's trash.

Haha - I'm the same way! I work for a company whose end products are often prominently displayed in big box stores - I am ALWAYS stopping by to take a look at the displays and fixing the product so it looks good LOL My kids get so embarrassed

 

[Lilacs4Me]

It was my daughter (not wife). Not quite an adult at the time but I believe everyone had to pick up trash on the way in.

Oops - sorry

But, I still think that requiring your employees to find a piece of garbage in the parking lot and having to find you to show it to you before you are allowed to start your shift, is wrong. If you trust your employees and you offer a good working environment, they shouldn't have to prove to you in that way that they are willing to do what it takes. The proof comes when they are doing a good job their WHOLE shift, not in the 30 seconds before they start.

 

[loves to dive]

It's a weird way to judge a person, but I would have passed. I pick up trash whenever I see it, no matter where I am. I did it at WDW a couple of weeks ago when I was there. Got off the bus and the kid in front of me threw her empty bottle on the ground, Mom did nothing, everyone else did nothing. I was a few people behind so when I got there I just bent down and picked it up. No big deal, threw it in the can when I walked by. A cast member was on the way to do it and saw me, thanked me and offered a fast pass. No thanks, I don't need a reward for doing what is right and you have a good day. Of course, I washed my hands as soon as I got in the park but it wasn't a big deal. Did the same thing walking down Main Street with the same results and the same conversation. Might be the mom in me, just used to cleaning up after kids. I also wipe down the table when I'm done and don't hesitate to throw other people's trash out when I see them leave it on the table.

 

[sam_gordon]

If I worked at the restaurant, I wouldn't mind as much because at least I could wash my hands after touching garbage,

You couldn't wash your hands unless you were an employee?

 

[gwynne]

You couldn't wash your hands unless you were an employee?

Well...

You see some trash on the floor. You decide you'll get cool points for picking up the trash. You pick up the trash and pop it in the trash can. Manager is waiting to take you back for an interview. You tell the manager, "Wait on a sec, I just picked up some trash from your store, I need to wash my hands. Where is the washroom?"

A couple of possible reactions:
Manager is happy to wait, she likes waiting for job candidates that pick up trash and know to wash their hands after.
Manager is kind of annoyed, she doesn't have a lot of time and you are wasting hers with the whole trash thing. She also didn't like the way you kind of implied her Chick-Fil-A store is dirty.

It could go either way.

 

[DawnM]

What if the interviewee didn't want to draw attention to a dirty store?

That would be me. I wouldn't want the interviewer to think I thought he had a dirty store or embarrass him, so I wouldn't draw attention or pick it up.

This reminds me of that stupid show where they re-inact scenarios that are annoying or horrible and see who responds and gets into everyone else's business. They applaud the patrons who tell off the offenders.

I wouldn't get hired I guess, but I am not sure I would want to if this is the criteria.

I am going through interviews for the first time in about 18 years and it stinks. All these "new and innovative" interview techniques are exhausting.....how about just ask me how I would do the job for which you are hiring me?

 

[nugov2]

My guess is it isn't a used kleenex and more like a receipt. I would pick up that and toss it and go to an interview. It isn't like you are eating and have to wash your hands immediately. I am a germ phob and I carry hand sanitizer so I'd use that, but I imagine a teen who is the key demographic of this job wouldn't care. I think it is just one part of the interview and I think it can show that someone has a good character trait, but also doesn't mean everyone who doesn't isn't a good employee either. Like a pp poster stated it may give you a couple extra points.

 

[sunshinehighway]

I think its obnoxious, like this guy thinks he's so clever but is really a tool.

 

[rigs32]

If I were an employee, I'd have access to gloves. I don't want to touch things on a floor that may not have been cleaned for awhile with bare hands. Especially right before shaking someone's hand.

I usher at a local theater and if they have two shows back to back (typical for big name comedians who book shows 2/2.5 hrs apart). It seats about 2400, so they ask the ushers to help clean in between the shows as the custodial staff wouldn't have the time. If they give me gloves and trash bags, I have no problem with it. Once they didn't bring gloves and no, many of us were not comfortable with picking up beverage and food containers left behind bare handed. They went and got us gloves.