I was in a situation today that I can't figure out what the right way to handle it was.
SomeGuy came in to DeltaHouse and demanded to speak to me PainInTheAss was manning the receptionist desk and saw that SomeGuy was serious. So she emergency paged me to the lobby. And there was SomeGuy, angry, out-of-work, desperate, and needed to get off on somebody. VHRG happened to be somebody. He complained that he applied (three times) for a job I posted that he wasn't qualified for. He didn't read the job description, he just fired a resume. But he wanted to know why he wasn't hired, etc. I look at PainInTheAss, and she's focused on something else. I wind my way out of the coversation, I didn't know what to tell the guy to make him happily leave DeltaHouse. He finally left, PainInTheAss didn't look up from her work, and I really wanted to say, "don't you ever f*cking do that to me again!" But she'd have gone to TheBoss, and say I was mean, and TheBoss (who always sides with PainInTheAss, hence making her a pain in the ass) would have told me that I should be nicer.
Upon reflecting on this I was thinking about this story for the points of view of everyone...
VHRG - Trying to find the best person for the fit at DeltaHouse. Trying to end a conversation with an unqualified candidate who didn't read the job description. And not writing decline letters/emails because, frankly I don't have the time, and I don't want to spend the $43.56 of DeltaHouse's money on declining people.
PainInTheAss - Hates VHRG'S guts, in a way that would only accurately manifest itself in a fireworks show that she'd sponsor after I got fired. Wants to get SomeGuy out of the lobby. Wants to move on with her day and SomeGuy has B.O. F the VHRG, I'm making this his problem.
SomeGuy - Doesn't hear back from companies (they don't want to spend the $0.44 to decline him either). Hasn't worked in over a year. His unemployment benefits are starting to run out. Doesn't understand why he isn't getting called back by anyone (hint: resume is terrible, didn't read the job description before applying for the job). Is having his calls ignored. Is going to take it out someone. VHRG is going to hear about this. Somebody needs to.
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2 comments:
Good analysis of the situation and everyone's perspective. It sounds like you handled it well.
Than someone could enter your business and see HR it sounds like you don't have much facility security. Without changing that, you won't be able to stop these types of situtions from happening. Someone was going to have to talk to SomeGuy and since you don't have good support it ended up being you.
Not a great part of the job, but I'm afraid in your situation it seems unavoidable.
I will say this...it's a pain in the ass, but I recommend that you formally decline the folks who don't get the gig. You should make it PaininTheAss's responsibility to draft and mail letters - I have a similar background as you, and have found that sloughing off those little pieces of busy work to be the ONLY way you can get it done.
Since it sounds like you will not be able to "train" your receptionist to kick people like SomeGuy out, you can only take the hard line with angry candidates. Some HR types don't agree with me on this, but we are not here to coddle or provide a sounding board, we are here to keep the business moving forward. Give 'em a "...in every case we hire the most qualified candidate, period. you are welcome to continue applying for any open positions at DeltaHouse. I'm sorry, but I have to get back to work...best of luck in your job search..." and turn and walk. Hang in there bro...there are a lot of us like you out there...
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