Want a job at Currys? Dance, monkey boy, dance!
An interviewee for a job at Currys in Cardiff was made to take part in a dance-off as part of the process.
You're in your shiny new suit, ready for a job interview. What could they possibly ask you? What qualifies you for the role? What will you bring to the business? What are your weaknesses, even? Well how about: Can you dance for us?
Unbelievably, this is what one interviewee was asked when he applied for a job at Currys in Cardiff, the BBC reports. 21-year-old Alan Bacon is a big fan of cameras, so applied for a job at Currys. Instead of being asked to talk about his love of astronomy, and why he wants to work at the branch in Newport Road, he was made to dance to Daft Punk in front of a group of strangers. To top it all, he didn't even get the job, poor lad.
Bacon graduated in July from the University of South Wales with a degree in documentary, film and TV. What with the job situation being as it is, he was finding the application process "extremely hard". All prepped up, he went to the interview, only to be asked to do a dance.
The group of interviewees was split in two, with each having to make up a dance. "I think everyone initially thought it was a joke," Bacon said. "But they were serious. All professionalism went out of the window. I'd spent the past week researching the company and looking forward to being able to express myself and talk about what I love doing.
"But I just felt embarrassed and uncomfortable. I ended up dancing to Around the World by Daft Punk, doing rubbish robotics in my suit in front of a group of strangers."
Currys' explanation? It was part of a team building exercise -- though it's not official policy, you'll be glad to hear -- and those made to dance would be asked back for another interview.
"Regrettably, the store in question did not follow our official recruitment processes on this specific occasion," a spokesperson for the chain said. They added they were investigating who held the dance off recruitment session, and apologised to all involved.
And as for Bacon? He "politely declined" the offer of another interview. Good for him.
Have you ever worked for a gadgets shop? Let me know of any anecdotes in the comments, or on our HR-friendly Facebook page.