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Marina Mobley
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Store Manager at Your Vape Supply

Dollar General in Gulf Breeze FL asks illegal interview questions!

I have been out of work for about 4 months now. I'm a full time college student at UWF and needed to focus on school for a while. However, financial situations have caused me to start sending out resumes again. I applied to an open position at the Dollar General in Gulf Breeze FL, and the interview was the strangest I had ever dealt with. I'm only 21 and have only had 3 jobs so far, my last job consisted of me running a small retail electronic cigarette store completely on my own for over 2 years. I only left because I just couldn't swing the amount of time required anymore with school. I didn't leave until I hired and completely trained someone to replace me so as not to leave the owners in a pickle. I only tell you all this to let you know I feel as though I know a little something about professionalism despite my young age. I mentally prepared myself for my Dollar General interview and arrived about 10 minutes early (my dad taught me that if you aren't a few minutes early you might as well be late). The woman who said she would be doing my interview seemed nice enough and we even joked a bit as we walked back to the interview space. As soon as the door closed though, it got a little weird. She told me to sit down, and her first question made me glad that I did because I was so caught off gaurd. She asked if I was married. A little confused and taken aback I immediately started blabbering like I do when I'm not prepared and talked about my life with my fiance. Her next question was to find out if I had children or not. When I said no she immediately asked if I planned to have children. Then the interview got even more strange as there were no more questions. She went on and on for about 10 minutes (which felt like hours) about how she was a "hardass", and then bragged about how she was so hard on her employees that she had one guy never show back up after a lunch break. At one point I actually felt considerably insulted; she looked at me hard and said "I'm not looking for some girl who is just going to stand around and try to look cute and be lazy". Of course I looked nice for an interview and without trying to sound full of myself I am an attractive person, but the way she said this was so rude and too personal. I continually attempted to force my way into this one-sided conversation about my job history and experience but she ignored all attempts from me to speak and then she said we were done and I'd hear from them in a few days. Needless to say I left there speechless. I didn't hear anything for about 2 weeks and was convinced that I didn't get the job. Then I received a call from the interview woman's boss who informed me that the just had 2 people quit and I said of course I was still interested. I also informed her about the rather unsettling interview and she immediately apologized and offered me a job. I received an email with the new hire paperwork, I filled it out using my computer and emailed it back. Keep in mind I just sent these people all of my information including my social security number, and now it has been another 3 weeks and I've heard nothing. Sorry about the length of this post but I wanted everything explained. Any advice on how to handle this weirdness, for lack of a better word, and the extreme un-professionalism?

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over 10 years ago
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Marijoy Bertolini
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Senior Director of People & Culture

Hi Marina, Sorry you had that experience. Whether or not the question is illegal, I'd think twice about working for someone who acted that way. Remember, you have skills that lots of employers want. My recommendation is to keep looking.
Check back in & let us know how things turn out, ok? Thanks

10y
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Jim Flack
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I just may be the droid you are looking for.

Marina,

Those questions about your personnel life are absolutely, 100% ILLEGAL in an interview and I encourage you to find who the district manager for Dollar Tree is for Gulf Breeze and WRITE to them explaining what happened in the interview. I wouldn't concentrate on her "bragging" but the questions about being married, having children. Now, since you accepted the job, I would do this completely in a confidential way by contacting Human Resources as well. This kind of action is exactly what companies do NOT want because it's a lawsuit waiting to happen. I would expect this "manager" will be replaced in a few days. Please keep us updated.

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Valerie Sunyak
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Senior Learning and Development Consultant | Instructional Designer | Learning Strategist | Program Manager | Project Manager

Hi Marina, I am a great believer in listening to my gut. If something does not feel or sound right, go with that voice and act on it. i would definitely contact someone in corporate HR and discuss your situation. They need to know because their company might be placed at risk by interviewers possibly violating laws. At this point I would not even pursue working there as their behavior is very telling of how they manage people. You deserve to be respected! Keep looking and you will find a place you feel more comfortable.

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Eliran Boraks
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Technical Product Manager at Jobcase Com

I will be worried about identity fraud. Some could have took your resume from their offices and called you, to get your SSN. You should try and track down the person your sent the information to. Also, send an email to their corporate office - CorpSecy@DollarTree.com (http://www.dollartreeinfo.com/investors/corporate/contact/) to tell them yours story.

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Amanda Fakhreddine
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Security Publications Editor at Akamai Technologies

I agree with Jane... keep looking. Remember, an interview is both for the company to find out if you are a fit for them, and for you to find out if you are a fit for them. I give you credit for keeping it together during the interview - I would have been so flustered!

I would also try to follow up with the woman's boss who requested the information, by both phone and email, and express your concern around your personal information.

10y
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Jane Cui
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Content Writer Seo Specialist at Jobcase

I think you should continue looking for another job.

The manager was rude to you and she asked questions you were uncomfortable with. You're going to be working under her, so the job is not going to be nice anyways.

10y
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