| CAREERS NOW 01-14-09 |
| Boss Hires Employee, Then Disappears |
DEAR JOYCE: I am a 52-year-old woman and been out of work since November.
I went on an interview at XYZ Builders. I interviewed with a person named "Jamar." He told me about the
company and what the job entailed, and then that I had the experience they were looking for and offered me the
job. I accepted. Jamar then said that training would be given on Mondays or Wednesdays - and he was not sure of
the exact day.
Jamar said he could call me the next day before 4 p.m. to confirm training dates. We shook hands and I left. Not
hearing from him by the cut-off time, I called him at 4:40 p.m. that day. No luck. Since then, in the intervening
three weeks, I have called two more times. Is there anything I can do about this person's lack of professionalism?
This hurts and did nothing for my self-esteem as an older woman. Why did he do this? - C.F.
Why is Jamar missing in action? Maybe he was mugged and left for dead. Perhaps he won the lottery and ditched his
job. Possibly he's snowbound and can't shovel out his driveway. Perchance he was suddenly cast to star in a new
high-budget film that began production the day of your interview. Or it may be that Jamar's just a jerk.
MORE REASONS. The possibilities go on and on. The company may have found a candidate they like better. One
of the managers may have cast the evil eye on you. One of your references gave you a bad rap. Jamar had no authority
to hire you and is too embarrassed to admit he blew it.
The radio silence may not be related to you at all but reflects a budget crisis, a reordering of company priorities
or a newly found caution in hiring anyone other than indispensible personnel. Or, for all one knows, a customer
cancelled a big contract, the company instituted an emergency hiring freeze and Jamar's out looking for a job.
WHY? So why doesn't a company representative just call you and tell you that you're no longer under consideration
for the position? People don't like to give bad news, notifying the unchosen is time-consuming and doesn't contribute
to the company's profits and company lawyers may have advised against saying much of anything.
At this point, walk away. Privately, give your ill treatment the raspberry salute. Revenge, as the saying goes,
may best be served cold, but it's positively delicious when it comes in the form of a better new job than the one
you lost.
Don't beat yourself up over this irritating experience. Go out and do a fun thing with cheerful friends. Choose
a new hairstyle; perk up your wardrobe.
BASICS. And the next time you're up for an interview, never leave an interview - especially one that ends
with you being hired - without knowing the first and last name of the interviewer, the interviewer's job title
and the job title of the position for which you're competing or have been hired. Confirm that the interviewer is
the manager to whom you would report; if not, determine the name of your new boss.
DEAR JOYCE: After going through a couple of jobs that were soured by bad bosses, I'm wondering how to get
a lead on small companies before I make another mistake. Without using a computer, how can I check out a place
before applying? - R.S.
The ask-around method might work if you have a circle of friends with whom you can begin your research. Or, if
you're a good schmoozer, you can show up at the lunch hour or after work at restaurants and watering holes where
the targeted company's employees hang out.
Email Joyce
Sorry, the volume of mail makes personal replies impossible.