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13 June 2008

Follow-up question regarding the woman I'd like to strangle. →[More:](Previous question here.)

My interview is schedule for 3 hours from now. In reviewing the job description and the emails from Dragon Lady Crystal, I've pieced together that she's the director of the project they're hiring for. (I thought she was just the one they'd charged with setting up interviews.)

I do not want to work for her. I can't imagine that things would improve much. This is how she treats people over whom she has no authority; how much better is she going to treat people she supervises?

My gut is telling me not to do it. It's not worth it. I don't need the interview experience. I don't need to spend money on gas to get there. I don't need the stress. If they offered me the job, I don't think I could accept it without turning into a huge ball of anxiety. So I think I'm going to cancel.

The question: At this late date, I need to call in person. I'd really like to tell her that I have hesitations based on the process of setting up interviews, and that I've decided that the organization and I aren't a good fit.

Is that appropriate? Is that professional? Is there a better way to word it?

Please weigh in, y'all. I'm thinking I'll call during the lunch break, which is just over an hour from now.

post by: mudpuppie at: 12:55 | 40 comments

I'd call to cancel, and then send a letter to her AND her boss detailing the runaround she put you through and how that has forced you to decide you could never work under someone so unprofessional and disorganized.

posted by kellydamnit 13 June | 12:59

I think it's professional, but I doubt it'll do much, given how clueless she's already established herself as being, you know?

posted by occhiblu 13 June | 13:03

(Which doesn't mean you shouldn't do it, if it'll make *you* feel better.)

posted by occhiblu 13 June | 13:03

Dear god no, you do not want to work for this woman.

I'd really like to tell her that I have hesitations based on the process of setting up interviews, and that I've decided that the organization and I aren't a good fit.

Sounds good to me. I'd follow up with kellydamnit's letters.

posted by bmarkey 13 June | 13:04

You said that you had applied at this company before. Consider your actions if you want to apply there ever again, preferably after Crystal has been booted. I'm guessing that if you cancel, which you should if it feels so completely wrong, your chances for being hired again later would not be affected if they know how insane C. is. Still, I wouldn't say anything about the process, just the part about the good fit, no sense in fanning the flames. Good luck!! (((mudpuppie))

posted by Melismata 13 June | 13:04

Some might give you the "don't burn ANY bridges" angle since you never who's path you'll cross again down the road. But I say in this instance canceling is perfectly within reason. Obvious be professional and, as hard as it may, don't personally attack Ms Stranglee. A follow up letter with, if you have them, a supervisor on two on copy, would be very smart both for your own piece of mind and so the company can see an outsiders perspective.

Good luck either way - it sucks to see someone else's attitude cause you grief.

posted by Slack-a-gogo 13 June | 13:05

Actually, do you have the main number? It may be that telling the main receptionist your reasons would get them spread around the company fairly quickly, if you're in a Machiavellian mood.

On preview: Yeah, don't do this if you're interested in working for anyone else at the company.

posted by occhiblu 13 June | 13:06

Two people I've worked (well) with before know the folks in this organization. Although they're the ones who initially told me about the job, they both kind of laughed when they suggested I apply. The Exec Director (who I assume is Crystal's boss) has a really bad reputation. He left his job as the director of a county agency because he had a fling with an underling, then was accused of sexual harassment. Now he's the director of this nonprofit.

I'm not really worried about burning bridges. I don't care to work for them in the future. This is a field I fell into as an editor, not one I'm passionate about pursuing on a program level. (And this is a program administration job.) If I never get a job in this field again, I won't lose sleep or tears over it.

I don't think I'll write a follow-up letter, because that seems a little axe-grindy. I mostly want to explain why I'm not showing up in a way that makes it clear that I have a reason, not that I'm flaky or noncommittal.

I may regret it later, but I'm trying to show the universe that, though I need a job, I'm not going to be held prisoner to the shitty, soul-sucking opportunities that come my way. So, universe, you'd better start sending some good ones. Thanks.

posted by mudpuppie 13 June | 13:19

Good on you, mudpuppie.

posted by essexjan 13 June | 13:22

I thought this was going to be another one of those "how do I dispose of a body" questions.

Well done, mudpuppie.

posted by rainbaby 13 June | 13:24

Here's my script. I can't decide whether to leave the italicized part in or not. Thoughts?

"Hi Crystal. This is mudpuppie. I’m calling to cancel my interview at 2 this afternoon. I’ve thought a lot about it and, based on my experiences during this hiring process, I’ve come to the conclusion that the organization isn’t a good fit for me. I thank you anyway for the opportunity, and I wish you good luck in finding the right candidate."

posted by mudpuppie 13 June | 13:28

I think you're making the right move to cancel the strangulation of Crystal Pepsi.

posted by Hellbient 13 June | 13:30

I may regret it later, but I'm trying to show the universe that, though I need a job, I'm not going to be held prisoner to the shitty, soul-sucking opportunities that come my way.

I spent five hours in a career-counseling class on Tuesday being told that this is exactly the attitude that job seekers should hold.

On preview: Script looks good, and I'd leave in the italicized part, but I'd also maybe script out a follow-up in case she asks you to elaborate.

posted by occhiblu 13 June | 13:30

Yes, use the italicized part. I think your decision is completely correct and honorable, given your experiences.

The idea of a follow-up letter isn't crazy or unproductive; but since this is a NPO, the person to send it to is the board chair. It sounds like they've hired a real bad apple.

posted by Miko 13 June | 13:33

pups that draft sounds right on target.

"...He left his job as the director of a county agency because he had a fling with an underling, then was accused of sexual harassment. Now he's the director of this nonprofit."

good christ, he wasn't by chance the director of the medical clinic at [local large state university redacted], was he?

posted by lonefrontranger 13 June | 13:34

The follow-up, in case I get her in person (I'm hoping for voicemail) and she asks why:

"The process has felt disorganized and unprofessional and, frankly, disrespectful. When I’ve returned your emails and phone calls, I’ve received responses stating 'I still haven’t heard from you.' When I initially agreed to an interview time, both in an email and a voicemail -- and a month in advance -- and I promised to contact if I were unable to make it, you called me and scolded me for not being able to commit to a time. You then called me two days before the interview because YOU wanted to change the time.

Based on these things, I have serious hesitations about the culture and and the tone of the organization, and like I said, I’ve decided that it’s probably not a good fit for me. I do thank you, though. And again, best of luck."

posted by mudpuppie 13 June | 13:38

as essexjan said "good on ya, pups".

posted by crush-onastick 13 June | 13:39

Oooh... it's a nonprofit? I'd watch out in terms of anything too devious or bridge burning. Things move around that community from group to group more than in the corporate world.

posted by kellydamnit 13 June | 13:41

The only reason to reconsider the italics part is that it gives her fodder to argue with/rant at/question you. She might not, but if you don't feel like getting into it, don't give her any branches to grab.

posted by Melismata 13 June | 13:42

Woo! Voicemail! I'm free!

posted by mudpuppie 13 June | 13:47

So, um, Olena won't be showing up? Dang.

Seriously - I think your two scripts are great.

I am sorry it didn't work out, (((mups))).

On preview: Woo hoo!

posted by deborah 13 June | 13:48

Yay!

posted by occhiblu 13 June | 13:49

Things move around that community from group to group more than in the corporate world.

Yeah, but in the gossip about this, pup won't be the villain. I'm sure these people have reputations that are already well known.

As for your followup, pup, I'd strike the first sentence about how the interaction "feels." Just the litany of facts - initiatives and responses - clearly displays unprofessional practice to any neutral party. You don't have to call emotion into it or apply labels. It looks more objective and calm to just list the interactions - the judgement will be clear as day by implication alone.

posted by Miko 13 June | 13:52

You know, after thinking about it....

In the email in which she finally confirmed the interview times (the one a month ago, where she listed two times, neither of which was the one we agreed upon), she ended with "Please feel free to use my cell number below at any time, but especially on the day of the interview, if you will be unable to come, will be late, etc. for the interview."

That is, of course, the number I called.

I'm betting MONEY that I get a call from her at 2:15 asking me where I am and why I'm not there because these people who drove in from HOURS away would really like to leave before traffic gets bad.

posted by mudpuppie 13 June | 14:02

HOURS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

posted by JanetLand 13 June | 14:11

Yes. You will definitely get a call.

HOURS!

posted by occhiblu 13 June | 14:13

Now I have to turn around and drive back to Rapid City! Thanks a lot!

Seriously, though, I've been in that position twice before (the pre-interview process being so obnoxious as to make me never want to work there), and yeah, no regrets - I've found better jobs both times.

posted by mdonley 13 June | 14:20

I await the final update.

posted by drezdn 13 June | 16:14

yeah- did she call to ask where you were?

posted by small_ruminant 13 June | 17:03

Nope, haven't heard from her. I guess that she checked her messages, just this once.

posted by mudpuppie 13 June | 17:07

Or she's still expecting you right now.

posted by occhiblu 13 June | 17:19

Well, yes. She probably is. Those poor people are probably sitting there, waiting, for their hours-long drive home. In traffic.

posted by mudpuppie 13 June | 17:24

WHICH YOU CAUSED! WHY DIDN'T YOU THINK OF THE POOR DRIVERS WHEN YOU FORCED THEM TO LIVE HOURS AWAY FROM THEIR WORKPLACE AT WHICH YOU DON'T WORK!?!?!

posted by occhiblu 13 June | 17:28

no, no, wait! I've got it... she'll call you wondering where you are (wait for it)...

ON MONDAY! AT 1:30 PM! Wondering if you're planning to come in for your 1:00 interview!!!

posted by lonefrontranger 13 June | 17:47

By my math, if they started interviews at 8, they could only have scheduled 5 total. (Mine was the last, and when she called to reschedule, she wanted me there by 1.) More likely, since people were driving in from HOURS away, they started at 9, so they probably only scheduled a total of four interviews.

I canceled, so there are only three left.

Those poor people. They have no idea that their chances of being Crazy Crystal's assistant just jumped from 1 in 4 to 1 in 3.

posted by mudpuppie 13 June | 18:13

ack! I'm glad you decided not to go. Twice I've not trusted my gut with bad jobs and twice I've regretted it. (My current job is pretty awesome now.)

*hugs*

posted by divabat 13 June | 18:32

you dear mudpuppie have integrity and class. Well done.

posted by dabitch 13 June | 18:54

Well done kid. Please do follow up if you have any new news.

posted by arse_hat 13 June | 23:59

I drove in from Greece, but didn't get to interview because they were waiting for mudpuppie at 11 am, 1 pm, 1:45 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm, and 3:15 pm. *sigh*

posted by taz 14 June | 01:22

taz and friends setting off for Cali.

≡ Click to see image ≡

posted by arse_hat 14 June | 01:36

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