Painful experience

[jackhammer91406]

The last few days have been somewhat painful for me. Not the usual unbearable physical pain that is an ever-present companion since the chemotherapy. No this pain is worse. I lost two members of my staff who moved on for different reasons. One went back to school and the other I can no longer use because the social security number he gave is bogus and he really has no authorization to be in this country working.

 

While saying goodbye at the end of the year to two great staffers, my problems really started with trying to replace them.

 

Last week I placed an ad which was succinct, contained the appropriate information and a phone number for responding. (you may say it now, SILLY ME). In less that 6 minutes I had over 40 responses. My phone went berserk and I couldn't get clear fast enough to go back online and remove the phone number from the ad and request an email with resume response. I received over 128 replies with resumes, pictures and personal notes before I shut the ad down plus the additional 40 phone calls. I spent last weekend getting the applicants in some kind of order and after a very short phone pre-screener interview, I narrowed it down to 10 people I would schedule for a sit down which I did today, scheduling an interview every 20 minutes.

 

I was stunned that everyone but one was on time, dressed properly for a business interview and gave a very complete picture of themselves. I instantly wanted to find a job for all ten of these people, each one was so interesting as a person, would make a great addition to my staff, and each was equally desperate for a job. I am almost depressed that I can't hire all of them. Each one brings something special to the table and I conducted the interview in a simple straightforward human way in order to relax each one, and they just blossomed, each one.

 

What a painful decision for me. It's more like letting nine more members of my family go.

A case could be made for having conducted the interviews in a more dry and remote style but my staff is and behaves like a family, and I can't bring someone new into our family without first seeing if they would fit. Crap..they all fit.

 

Not really a solution here that you can help me with unless you can think of some words of comfort to give me, I just have to let 9 great people know that they are terrific people and I don't have room for them, but is has been a painful experience. I hope I don't have to do anything like this again anytime soon.

[rvwnsd]

That is a tough, but enviable position to be in. Think of it like this: you have a pool of nine people you can call in the future if another staffer leaves. You also know that the person you hire is the best of the best, which is a much better option than hiring whatever walked through the door. One question...you mentioned you lost two staffers. Why are you only hiring one replacement?

 

I have a similar situation going on right now. I recently recruited two contractors. One is a decent worker and the other is a superstar. I offered the superstar a full-time job, filling an open position I had available. During the hiring process, the position was frozen. Two weeks later, one of my staff decided to pursue an opportunity in another area and got the job. I quickly moved the superstar into the vacant position. I recruited a person to fill the contractor vacancy and that person is working out extremely well. Unfortunately, I won't be able to hire her. But, I will have her through the end of April and might be able to extend her contract.

[tyro]

Jackhammer,

Your emotional response to this whole thing shows what a good guy you are.

Sometimes being a good person royally sucks.

I've never had to deal with this situation. Just trust yourself to hire the best person for you and your company. Send the others some positive energy, and if a colleague/competitor needs to hire someone, pass along a few of these nine names. Most importantly, know that you did your best.

T

[Diverdan]

Jackhammer,

I sympathize with you at every level. I have had a similar situation during the past year, although fortunately my telephone number was not given out, only the email. However, every person I interviewed could have easily filled the position and it was hard to decide. A couple of those who were not hired contact me about once a month, just to stay in touch and say they are still interested if anything opens up. I hope your sharing this story with us will help you through the feelings you are having, but as Tyro said, it is a tribute to you and your dealings with your staff. Hope the chemo is not getting you down either, and there is light at the end of the tunnel.

DD

[+ Charlie]

Jack, I feel your pain. What I hated most about being in supervisory or management positions was turning down job applicants whom I would love to have hired if I had had openings for them. (I also know how it hurt to be turned down for a job that was a perfect fit for me.) I know you will be honest with them about why you cannot hire them, and that is the best you can do.

[jackhammer91406]

Thanks to everyone for their support and good suggestions. I made a choice today and feel that I was very lucky as one of you said to have such a great selection to choose from. I thanked each interviewee when I spoke to them today for being one of that list of great choices.

 

I only filled one position this time because the two jobs required a completely different skill set. Once the new hire is in place and up to speed, I guess I will have to go through this again after all.

[jawjateck]

I feel for you Jack. All you can do is be honest and encouraging; you can't control how the non-selected interviewees deal with your choice. Sadly, in this dull low/no growth economy, qualified, eager-to-work employees are going to be experiencing the let-down for years to come.

[seeker630]

I feel for you Jack. All you can do is be honest and encouraging; you can't control how the non-selected interviewees deal with your choice. Sadly, in this dull low/no growth economy, qualified, eager-to-work employees are going to be experiencing the let-down for years to come.

 

I agree. On several occasions, the prospective employer failed to ever me notify that I wasn't selected. I really appreciated those who said, "please apply to us again if you see an opportunity."

 

It's very rare to be told why you didn;t get a job & someone else did - especially when there's an HR dept involved.

[leigh.bess.toad]

Jackhammer,

Your emotional response to this whole thing shows what a good guy you are.

 

What she said.

[happyguy2]

Jackhammer,

you are an extraordinary human being