Did I make a mistake?

Calina_Leigh · Post by **Calina_Leigh** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 7:06 pm

A little background:
I found out that the contract for my project was not renewed and 60-70 people are looking to get laid off in about 3 months if they cannot be rotated into other projects. My best friend's uncle is president of a small company and has told him about me. Today I went for a tour and they really seemed to like me. It starts out at $12.50/hr(more than I am making now) and they pay for medical that I would get the first day of the month after I hire in(if I hire in).

Ok here is the "mistake" I made. Towards the end of the tour and impromtu interview, I found out that there was another who is interviewing for the job. He has already had three interviews and the last step for him to get the job would be a background check(usually that means you got the job if you pass). I asked the manager if the guy had a family and he informed me that he just got married and his wife is pregnant. In my mind I went "oh sh*t". I then told him that I think that it might be better for the other guy to get the job because he is just starting out in life. Especially having a child on the way. I did inform him that I am intrested in the job and really wanted it. He told me to complete an application and submit it. I have always had a high level of empathy and felt it would be wrong to take the job from someone that was pretty much garunteed to get it and starting a family.

So my question to you was, did I really screw up or did I collect karma points? Also not, I still may end up getting the job.

Post by **DonnaT** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 7:14 pm

No, I don't think you made a mistake, especially if you think that you might have got the job because your best friend's uncle is president of the company.

Alexandra · Post by **Alexandra** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 7:24 pm

Since you asked, yes, you did make a mistake. hirings should be made based on the applicant's merits, NOT outside factors like family matters. I would not want to work for a company that does this, and if I did, I'd be talking to a lawyer if I got passed over because another applicant's wife was pregant.

(Of course, without a contract, a company can do anything they want, but it would be a cue to polish up a resume.)

Calina_Leigh · Post by **Calina_Leigh** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 7:29 pm

In their defense, they did not tell me about his home situation, I asked. I think that they were just telling me that there was another that was close to getting the job so that I would not get upset if I did not get it. They have been looking for someone for a little while and I just happened to get considered because the president of the company is my best friends uncle.

Alexandra · Post by **Alexandra** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 11:39 pm

Calina, you're like my wife, just too nice sometimes!

sometimes she feels bad about her big promotion because there are other families struggling while we're doing okay -- but I keep her on track -- things could easily be the other way around and would THEY yield for her?

Good luck at your job!

Lorna · Post by **Lorna** » Thu Oct 07, 2004 1:03 am

Hi Calina,

I don't believe you made a mistake at all. I don't want to sound unsympathetic towards the other person, but you too have a child to take care of. Good luck to you!!

Calina_Leigh · Post by **Calina_Leigh** » Thu Oct 07, 2004 2:24 am

Lorna, I love your new avatar, that is such a great pic!

Beauty · Post by **Beauty** » Thu Oct 07, 2004 3:27 am

Hi Calina,

I don't think it's anything major. Not enough to blow a good job interview for sure.

I hope it all works out!

Beauty

Josey · Post by **Josey** » Thu Oct 07, 2004 9:44 am

Hi Calina,

A mistake? No, I don't believe so. As a manager, I was responsible for hiring new personnel. I definitely wanted someone who could do the job, and since you both are being considered, I would guess that you both pass that criteria. I also looked for people who would compliment the work force and the company. If I were hiring for this job you are looing at, I would weigh your comments very strongly in your favor. Since I know nothing about the other person, I can't say you would get the job but, if you didn't, I would probably recontact you the next time a job became avaialble. In my opinion, you didn't make a mistake.