“I was told I was too skinny for the job of catching an ostrich”

“After matric, I applied for a job at an ostrich butchery. They called me in for an interview and I was nervous and excited at the same time. At the interview, the first thing the woman asked was whether I can catch an ostrich because she thought I was too tiny. I just laughed because clearly I wasn’t going to be able to do that. She then asked me to climb on a scale. I immediately knew she was up to something and it was not good. She then said that they can’t take me on because I was too skinny. I was shocked and hurt. But when I look back I just laugh at the story,” – Anonymous

“I lost my tooth over a job”

“I applied for a job that involved working with fresh meat. I was told everything had to be clean, so I figured I was the right person for the job because I’m a healthy and clean person. But when the interviewer asked me if my teeth were healthy I politely said no. I knew I needed to get rid of a bad tooth.  The visit to the dentist was scary, because my biggest fear is extracting my teeth. And after going through the horror of getting my tooth pulled I still didn’t get the job,” – Nomfundiso Jafta (25) Cape Town

“I forgot the plastic bag on my head”

“One morning while busy dying my hair, which includes putting on a plastic cap on your head, my friend came by and told me they were looking for waitresses at a restaurant nearby. We went straight away. I didn’t worry about my looks and the cap on my head because I really needed this job. During the interview my head began itching and I scratched and the interviewer asked about the sound I was making. I remembered it was actually the plastic bag on my head. I was so embarrassed.”– Nicolene Pietersen (26) Oudtshoorn

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“Instead of giving them my name I gave them my mother’s name”

“It was an interview for an internship. I was prepared for it physically and mentally because I really wanted this. I remember during the interview they asked for my name just for confirmation and instead of giving them mine I gave them my mother’s name. Then the lady asked again and it came to mind that I gave my mom’s name. I was so nervous, but at least I got the job.” – Kenny Swarts (23) Cape Town

“I knew that I was screwed”

“My biggest fear is talking in front of people. So when I applied for a job as a receptionist, I practised how I would answer the interview questions with my family. The day of my interview I felt ready, but everything went wrong. I ended up telling my life story and how everything went wrong in my life. It was bad. I got all emotional, with a puppy face, and they just looked at me weirdly. In the end they thanked me for my time and I knew I was screwed”. – Nwabisa Jonas (24) Cape Town

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