Man fails job interview after being rude to receptionist (who was secretly the recruitment manager) 

First impressions really do count - so much so it saw a unwitting job candidate fall at an unseen first hurdle during the interview process. 

The man was immediately rejected for his prized role within five mintues because he was 'dismissive' to the receptionist.

Unfortunately for the smug interviewee, that receptionist turned out to be the hiring manager who held his fate in her hands.  

A man was rejected from a job for being 'dismissive' to a receptionist who turned out to be the hiring manager (stock image)

The real-life story, posted on Reddit's 'Life Pro Tips' forum by an employee at the mystery company, is a stark reminder of how important first impressions can be.

The candidate was said to be rejected within five minutes, before his anticipated sit-down interview had even taken place.

The smart trick, designed to weed out unfriendly applicants, worked perfectly. 

The anonymous Reddit user wrote: 'Today, a candidate blew his interview in the first five minutes after he entered the building…

'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.'

One commenter on the thread pointed out that, even if the receptionist had not turned out to be the hiring manager, being rude to them would still have worked against the candidate.

They wrote: 'I'll add as someone who's been on every step of the hiring ladder, even if the receptionist wasn't the hiring manager, the receptionist will still get her two cents in at the water cooler while decisions are being made.

The story, which was posted on Reddit, highlights the need to be nice to everyone in the workplace (stock image)

'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.'

Another commenter said a situation like the one in the post had worked for them in reverse.

They wrote: '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 before I saw him a few hours later. Be nice to everyone.'

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