Hired a friend of a friend and I was too soft
In august I opened up a business. I have a college student who came highly recommended to me by a mutual friend for a 12 hour a week position. I set up a time to interview with him via email. The day of the interview he showed up 1 hour and 10 minutes late and brought a friend with him to the interview. There was no private place to interview so his friend sat in the interview and even answered some of the questions for the one being interviewed. He offered no reason for being late and I chose not to talk to him about it at that point in front of his friend. I attempted to talk with him about the work and attempted to go over a job description.
He took the job desciption and did not look at it and proceeded to inform me that this was his senior year and he really had all he wanted at this time in his life, that he really wasn't certain that he wanted to work. Then, he proceeded to tell me how he thought things should be run that college students don't have clock in hours that they show up when they want to, that they don't really mind being accountable to their peers but not employers because it puts a damper on their free spirit.
I took this information to my friend and a couple hours later I received a phone call from my friend that this student was now on board. I took my friend at his word and I emailed the student stating my concern that he showed up an hour and ten minutes late for the interview and against my better judgment, I gave him a second chance. On the day of his second interview he showed up 10 minutes late and offered an excuse this time, stating that he was sorry he was late but he was out hanging with the guys. I went forward with the interview and again he proceeded to tell me he was a senior and didn't really want much else, but that he wanted to give it a try. Again, I gave him a job description and we went over it, and he seemed on board until I saw him lay it down when he went out the door. Again, against my better judgment I agreed to work with this student.
We worked out a schedule via email after he received his class schedule, and he would show up but his attitude wreaked with argument, disrespect, etc. I talked with him about this and he blew up in my face, told me that he was leaving and would come back in 2 days to "let me know" if he wanted to continue working. This young man has alot of wonderful qualities to make this business succcessful, but I am astounded at his attitude.
When I shared with my friend what had happened he said to me that he would have never hired him if he had said to him what he had said to me. Then my friend proceeded to tell that he would talk to him to see if he wants to continue, and I said no, if this student comes back in 2 days, I am going to listen but I unless I see a real commitment and attitude change, I am letting him go. Once against my better judgment caused me concern, twice cost me my sleep, and now my friend wants a 3rd chance for this student, I just cannot see it. What is your counsel?
He took the job desciption and did not look at it and proceeded to inform me that this was his senior year and he really had all he wanted at this time in his life, that he really wasn't certain that he wanted to work. Then, he proceeded to tell me how he thought things should be run that college students don't have clock in hours that they show up when they want to, that they don't really mind being accountable to their peers but not employers because it puts a damper on their free spirit.
I took this information to my friend and a couple hours later I received a phone call from my friend that this student was now on board. I took my friend at his word and I emailed the student stating my concern that he showed up an hour and ten minutes late for the interview and against my better judgment, I gave him a second chance. On the day of his second interview he showed up 10 minutes late and offered an excuse this time, stating that he was sorry he was late but he was out hanging with the guys. I went forward with the interview and again he proceeded to tell me he was a senior and didn't really want much else, but that he wanted to give it a try. Again, I gave him a job description and we went over it, and he seemed on board until I saw him lay it down when he went out the door. Again, against my better judgment I agreed to work with this student.
We worked out a schedule via email after he received his class schedule, and he would show up but his attitude wreaked with argument, disrespect, etc. I talked with him about this and he blew up in my face, told me that he was leaving and would come back in 2 days to "let me know" if he wanted to continue working. This young man has alot of wonderful qualities to make this business succcessful, but I am astounded at his attitude.
When I shared with my friend what had happened he said to me that he would have never hired him if he had said to him what he had said to me. Then my friend proceeded to tell that he would talk to him to see if he wants to continue, and I said no, if this student comes back in 2 days, I am going to listen but I unless I see a real commitment and attitude change, I am letting him go. Once against my better judgment caused me concern, twice cost me my sleep, and now my friend wants a 3rd chance for this student, I just cannot see it. What is your counsel?
