In a recent revelation, a McDonald’s job applicant has voiced his frustration after being asked to wait for two hours for his interviewer, despite arriving punctually for his scheduled interview. This incident was first brought to public attention through a video uploaded on TikTok by user Tristyn (@tristyn0795).
According to the details shared by Tristyn, he had secured an interview at his local McDonald’s branch, scheduled for 11 am. Leading up to the interview day, he received multiple reminders, including automated text messages and an email, confirming the aforementioned date and time. Trusting these communications, Tristyn arrived at the fast-food outlet ten minutes in advance of the stipulated time to ensure punctuality.
Upon his arrival and subsequent inquiry about the interview at the front counter, he was met with an unexpected response from an employee. He was told, “No you don’t… No one’s here to interview you.” This statement not only caught Tristyn off-guard but also reflected a lack of coordination and communication within the hiring process.
To add to the confusion, another staff member informed Tristyn that the person responsible for interviewing him would be unavailable for the next two hours.
Tristyn’s experience, though disheartening, isn’t isolated. He mentioned his prolonged job search, which spanned a year and a half, where he encountered similar issues in different companies. Tristyn goes on to say “I’ve been looking for a job for a year and a half, and this is what I’ve faced when I’ve gone into multiple jobs,” he explains. “‘Eh, you’re a number. Who cares?’ [It’s] just tough.”
Despite this unfortunate incident, Tristyn made it clear that he holds no ill-will against McDonald’s as a brand. In the caption of his video, he stated, “For the record, I love @McDonald’s and am a frequent consumer and will continue but it’s tough when people treat you that way.”
The broader concern here lies in the hiring process and its inefficiencies, as experienced by many other job seekers. This issue isn’t limited to McDonald’s alone but appears to be prevalent in today’s labor market. In the comments section of Tristyn’s video, numerous users recounted their own similar experiences, painting a concerning picture of the current job application and interview landscape.
Several users commented on the arduous interview procedures they had to endure. Some mentioned going through as many as three to five rounds of interviews before receiving any substantial feedback. Others spoke of delays, miscommunications, and even instances where interviewers were completely unaware of scheduled interviews.
One user detailed how they had “waited over an hr for an interview that then was an hour long & exhaustive, id invested so much (3-4 part interview process) so I stuck it out.”
Another user narrated an incident where they had taken time off from their full-time job for an interview at Kroger, only to find out that the third-party HR department had failed to inform the concerned personnel about the scheduled interview. Yet another shared an alarming instance where potential candidates were kept waiting because the hiring manager was unexpectedly on vacation.
These testimonials not only underscore the communication gaps within the hiring process but also hint at a broader issue within the labor market. Efficient, respectful, and coordinated communication with job applicants is fundamental to ensure a smooth hiring process.
Both employers and job seekers benefit from a streamlined and transparent process, and incidents like Tristyn’s emphasize the importance of revisiting and refining hiring practices across industries
