A few years ago (before 2020), I applied to Erne for an advertised position. Since many of my acquaintances work for this construction company, I generally hear good things about it and my other experiences have confirmed this positive image to this day. At the Laufenburg depot, I introduced myself in person at the counter and handed over a written application. I was told that I should still apply via the company's own portal. As I said, I did so and soon afterwards received an invitation to an interview. I showed up on time at the address provided and waited. When nobody showed up at the agreed time, I asked for the lady in charge of the HR department with whom I had an appointment. It turned out that the interview was taking place in the office 1 km away in Laufenburg's old town. So I set off and arrived completely stressed out. When I was finally met by the person in charge (I think it was actually the head of the HR department), I apologized for being late and showed her my invitation. It actually had the address of the works yard on it! The whole thing went without comment on her part. No apology, no explanation. After an extremely long monologue about the company, with a folder containing all sorts of information, I then submitted my application. As I could see, it was meticulously scrutinized. I was actually unable to declare a few weeks (I think it was 2) of my professional career on my CV! The interview went very slowly and some of the questions I was asked were - to put it mildly - unconventional. Too bad the interview wasn't recorded, I could laugh about it today. "Can I handle the money economically?" was just one of the many questions I was asked.

It should be noted at this point that I was applying for a job as a chauffeur, not as CFO or member of the Board of Directors! The interview finally ended with her suggestion that I should reconsider whether the position was still suitable for me and that she would do the same for me as an employee. We then discussed back and forth who should report to whom (actually superfluous, because normally it's clear who reports to whom). Well, after a lot of talking, I went home, still not knowing whether this lady would contact me or not. The next day, by the way, I contacted another construction company and started work there a few days later. After 2 weeks, I received a call from Laufenburg: "We've decided on someone else". Thank you - me too! :-) Ironically, in the years that followed, I regularly drove on behalf of ERNE construction sites. A great company, with lots of competent, uncomplicated and friendly workers! It's a shame that my experience with the HR office was somewhat different. Sometimes I wish I could meet this lady again in the queue at the Migros checkout. Would she (want to) recognize me?