Reply
Mon 18 Oct, 2004 02:12 pm
We have a need for a "go to" / gopher at my company. I referred a friend for this position and was told by the manager who'd become this gopher's direct supervisor that my friend was a perfect fit per his resume and my "vouch."
I spoke with our COO (this manager's direct supervisor), and he agreed that it was a great fit: we can get the guy cheap and he can handle all the running around that's been draining all of us otherwise busy folks.
Last week, the requisition was rushed through management, and I was told to get my buddy in ASAP for an interview. I was led to believe the position and the req were literally created for my buddy. I was asked--in fact--whether or not I knew my buddy was ready to give notice at his current job because we needed to get someone in here very quickly.
Well, the interview happened this morning. I talked to my buddy afterward, and he felt that it had gone well. I heard no word from this manager or his boss--both of whom I felt like I had a good relationship with. So I asked the COO politely, and he responded that this manager had changed his mind. The manager was now looking for someone higher level than my buddy. This manager, of course, does not appear to have the moral backbone to say anything to me.
I am enraged. How does what I've been told is a sure thing fall apart in this manner? Is there anything I can say to this manager that will reflect my frustration and anger? I feel that these two have been disloyal to me, especially considering that the gopher would be taking a lot off my plate, leaving me to move on to bigger (and perhaps) better things.
The only sure things in life are taxes and death.
I would talk to your boss (politely and calmly) about the fact that you are over-whelmed sometimes with the "little things" that need to be done and are being distracted from your other work and that even if he doesn't hire your friend, he should consider hiring someone to help out.
Do not make this personal or your work life will go down the toilet faster than you can say "I quit!" Make it about your work load and the quality of your work when you have to deal with all of these other things.
My hunch is after the interview, the manager(s) did not like him for whatever reason. As he is a friend of yours they were probably letting you know they were not hiring him, but didn't want to have bad feelings with you. There is never a sure thing in this situation until you receive your letter of acceptance.
However, if you feel really close to your manager. Ask to speak with him. Then talk in a respectful manner that your understanding was he would be hired and could they tell you why this changed? You may not get a direct answer and also because of confidentiality, may not be able to tell you what changed their mind in the interview.
Linkat--you wrote
"My hunch is after the interview, the manager(s) did not like him for whatever reason. As he is a friend of yours they were probably letting you know they were not hiring him, but didn't want to have bad feelings with you. There is never a sure thing in this situation until you receive your letter of acceptance."
I agree. I guess I just felt that I'd developed a more personal relationship with these fellas than I had. In addition, we're a VERY small company, and everything gets around. I'll probably find out soon enough what the deal was. I guess I just set my expectations to high for this manager. I expected this guy to discuss his decision in a straightforward manner with me. I guess that's life. I won't lose my job over it.
It's also possible that he did decide he wants someone at a higher level.
Next time (if there is one) you might want to get a commitment from management. Could be on paper or could be obtained by just sitting down with the two of them - at least one can't contradict the other and leave you hanging.
Bit of a hint here: when you want to change work practices, it never hurts to pitch it on the level of how it's going to make your boss's life easier, not just yours.
As a manager, I can understand it a little from their perspective. However, I do not feel that they handled it completely professional with you. First off, they should never have insinuated that your friend had the job before they interviewed him. They should have said something along the lines, he looks like a viable candidate, we would love to interview him and leave it at that. After deciding against hiring him, they are now in a position where confidentiality comes into play. They should not and cannot tell you specifics of the interview. So they are now in a tough situation. Even if they are "friends" with you, they are still your managers and have to adhere to certain legal obligations of the company.
Phoenix is exactly right. As a manager and employee of my company, I cannot give any recommendations of employees who have worked for me. It is tough for me because if it would be a positive recommendation, I would always like to give it. However, because of potential lawsuits we need to refer them to HR and they will give exactly what Phoenix stated. I have, however, given references to other people I worked with at previous companies.
Excellent point Stillwater. Making life easier for a boss is the best. I even stated that to some one who reported to me - that he makes my life easier - and by the way he recently received a promotion based on my recommendation and push for it.
New Information
So this just gets nuttier and nuttier.
I was informed today that someone was hired for this position. The new hire is a personal friend of the manager and is of the same race as the manager (mine friend was not). The new hire's skill set far exceeds portions of the job description; the new hire also has NO experience in much of the job description.
AND, he's being hired at a rate that far exceeds the guidelines of the requisition.
Wow. Any recourse now?
If the decision was up to your boss, then it is his decision. If it is the wrong one, they your boss with have to deal with any repercussions. You do have a couple of choices - you could act childish about it and complain and have a bad attitude - which I don't suggest as it would ultimately only hurt you. You could decide to deal with it and continue improving your own work performance and concentrate on your own career. Or you could look for another job if it makes you that unhappy.
Things happen in the workplace that you may never know the reasoning behind. There could be a very good reason for the hire or not. But that was your manager's decision not yours and it is your manager's responsibility not yours. Believe me if it was a bad decision, it will end up reflecting poorly on your manager. So I wouldn't get stressed out about it and continue focusing on your own work.
First, this is not my manager but a manager I work closely with. Second, his decision directly affects my ability to do my job, as the person he's hiring should be taking items off my plate. I feel this manager has abused his power 1) by hiring based on friendship and race and 2) deception.
I do not report directly to him. I don't feel like I can live with this kind of behavior or treatment, even if the behavior and treatment is not directly directed toward me.
I need to either express my concern to this manager's boss or begin to look for new employment. I'd best do the latter before the former.
Why not speak to Your manager. Express your concern about getting your job done. Also how do you know this person's capability? Is it only rumor or good facts about his capabilities. Outline with your boss what items s/he will be taking off your plate. Put it in writing and make an agreement with your boss who will have more clout than you in speaking with this new person's manager. If all job responsibilities are spelled out, there should be no confusion on who is responsible for what. At the point in which these responsibilities are outlined, and agreed upon, anything that is no longer yours, becomes this other person's responsibility. If they are incapable, it then becomes an issue for that person and his manager, not yours.
You may be completely right about this manager abusing his power, but from what you state, you have no authority over this decision. It s*cks, but it happens. Unfortunately you will find these things happening in all sorts of businesses and jobs. You either deal with it or be miserable. I would not suggest speaking with this manager's boss as it would be a very sticky situation and you could end up making lots of enemies. If you do however, be very careful how you word things and do not bring up your opinions (like this person is hired because of race and friendship), only use facts - like you are concerned that because this person does not have experience doing x, he will not be able to take over this responsibility for me as was originally planned. Keep to the facts as much as possible and to job qualifications only.
Stumble It!
Tweet This
Bookmark on Delicious
Share on Facebook
Share on MySpace