A reader writes:
I’ve learn the many instances you’ve talked about how one can not annoy hiring managers or badger them, however I’m questioning if I’m discovering my state of affairs a little bit too annoying.
We’re hiring for a really particular sort of job that requires a ability set that we don’t have the time or assets to coach somebody on. It’s fairly clear within the job posting too! The day we put up the advert, a lady are available and requested to talk with me. It turned out she labored for a nonprofit that helps adults with developmental disabilities get jobs. She gave me the title and resume of somebody, Ferguson, and informed me how he’d be an amazing match, and so forth. I took the data and thanked her. Ferguson then submitted his resume; nevertheless, he didn’t have the ability set wanted.
We hadn’t replied to any candidates but after which two days later the lady referred to as me. I wasn’t round so she left a voicemail. In it she informed me once more that Ferguson was particular person for the job, they usually requested that I no less than interview him so I can see his full potential. On one hand, I completely get that is her job, however I felt it was a little bit off-putting and really made me really feel dangerous. Even when it gave Ferguson expertise, I don’t actually have the time to interview somebody I do know isn’t going to be match. And I felt like it will give him false hope.
I used to be off for the remainder of the week and didn’t name her again, so she left two extra voicemails stating the identical factor, that they’d actually admire it if we interviewed him and it will be actually nice if we gave him an opportunity.
Am I off-base in feeling prefer it was a bit icky to maintain calling me? I get coming in and handing me the resume, that was high quality, even the follow-up telephone name was alright, however I didn’t take care of the stress she was attempting to place me beneath simply to interview him. She saved stressing that this job can be necessary to him and that he was a very good particular person. Which I’m certain he’s!
Ought to I’ve referred to as her again? I really feel like I might don’t have anything to say to her, moreover thanking her. Or wouldn’t it have been higher to have informed her up-front that Ferguson didn’t have the ability set required for the job? Do you suppose her method is tanking Ferguson’s probabilities at a job elsewhere too? I’m torn — I love the nonprofit and their help however on the similar time, I’d reasonably not be guilted into interviewing somebody!
(If it issues, Ferugson himself by no means contacted me. If that they had requested for suggestions on his resume/cowl letter, I’d be pleased to supply it. There’s nothing fallacious with both of them; it truly is the truth that he’s simply not the certified for the job!)
I actually really feel horrible not calling her again, however I truthfully don’t know what to say particularly because it’s not her making use of and I’d really feel bizarre giving her data on another person’s standing too.
Yeah, that’s not a helpful manner for this type of group to work.
The preliminary contact was high quality. It shouldn’t have been in-person except you made it clear that you simply’re one of many uncommon organizations that welcomes that — most discover that annoying and customarily gained’t speak to individuals who strive to try this — however in any other case it was high quality.
I’d even be okay with one follow-up after that. On the whole, in most fields I wouldn’t advocate that candidates observe up on job functions — the employer is aware of you’re , it’s of their courtroom, they usually’ll contact you in the event that they wish to speak additional — however on this set of circumstances, the place her job is to advocate for a disabled consumer, certain.
However the continued telephone calls and the insistence that Ferguson was an amazing particular person for the job when your advert made it clear that was unlikely to be the case was an excessive amount of, and was no less than as more likely to undermine Ferguson’s probabilities because it was to assist him.
I’m additionally involved this group — or no less than this explicit worker — isn’t significantly good on the providers they’re offering! It doesn’t make sense to place assets into pushing a consumer for a job they’re not certified for. And somebody doing that work wants a nuanced understanding of hiring and which approaches will probably be efficient and which gained’t be, and that framing an interview as a favor shouldn’t be the way in which to go. I’ve little question it’s troublesome work, nevertheless it’s a disservice to their shoppers to not higher goal their pitches and to make use of methods extra more likely to get somebody employed.
I do suppose it’s best to have referred to as her again and informed her that Ferguson wasn’t certified for the function or despatched him a notice letting him know that — or ideally informed her that up-front when she first confirmed you his resume. I hear you on feeling bizarre giving out data on another person’s software standing, however these had been particular circumstances, the place she was functioning as his rep for a particular cause.
However in any other case, no, I don’t suppose you’re off-base.