Re: Appalled, eh?

["Barbara A. Tokay" <batokay -at- IX -dot- NETCOM -dot- COM>]

Andrew--

What is your goal in hiring people--to provide services to your clients? to
service your ego? I join Matt Horn in being appalled at your attitude and I'll
go one better:  I'm also appalled by your lack of  business sense.

If you don't feel an applicant cuts it--don't hire the person. If you hire a
person after telling him/her you will pay less than the going rate because of
"failure to follow directions," what are the chances this person will perform
well for you?

Sounds like you're setting yourself up for disaster. Small contractors depend
heavily  upon the quality and loyalty of their employees. I would say there's a
very good chance that someone you hire under such circumstances will not only
do a bad job for you but may actually take business away from you at a later
date. If you treat people badly, you can expect them to return the favor.

As for cutting costs by offering this person less money than the going rate,
the saying "you get what you pay for" certainly applies.

I've had a small consulting business myself for the last 12 years. At least 75%
of my work today involves "clean up" projects--I'm brought in to fix up messes
created by clients who decided to pay another contractor less than the going
rate! Needless to say, the client pays me a lot more to "rescue" a project than
to do it right the first time.

I'm responding to this thread because I think it's important for people on all
sides of the hiring equation to think about quality. Your clients should be
aware of your hiring practices--they could very well compromise the quality of
services you provide. Prospective employees should be wary of working for your
company because your attitude says: "I'll treat you right if I feel like it."

I think you shot yourself in the foot on this one. IMHO, of course.




Andrew Plato wrote:

> Oh goodie, someone hates me again.  I miss being hated.
>
> Matt Horn got his undies in a wad at my comments about interviewing
> people.
>
> I feel your pain, Matt - here's my response.
>
> > I am basically appalled by what Andrew Plato President / Principal
> > Consultant of Anitian Consulting, Inc. had to say...
> >
>
> Thats too bad, because at GOOD companies if you don't include a cover
> letter or samples when requested you are not even considered for
> employment.  Moreover, messy and poorly formatted resumes go right in
> the trash.
>
> Unfortunately, many companies today are so desperate for people, so
> they will interview candidates who don't follow directions.  When the
> next recession hits, those people will be eating Top Ramen and working
> at McDonalds while people who can follow directions will have work.
>
> > <<"Joe, your resume is very good and I am very impressed with your
> > skills.  I would like to hire you for this position.  However, the
> > advertisement for this position clearly asked for samples of work and
> > a cover letter, which you did not provide.<snip> In the future,
> please make
> > sure to follow the directions in position advertisements." <snip>>>
> >
> > <<It is a little mean, but it puts the applicant on the defensive.>>
> >
> > Nothing like getting a working relationship off to a good start.
>
> What is wrong with communicating the factors that will influence a
> decision to employ someone?  If someone had really great art skills,
> would it also be improper to complement them on that?
>
> Yes, it is mean.  I agree. However, it is also honest and fair.  I
> would rather be told the truth and know WHY I lost a job than be told
> some meaningless platitude.  Maybe that is just me.
>
> > <<It also is a good way to pay them less than what you advertised.
> You can
> > say that the lower pay is a result of them not following the
> > directions in the advertisement.  If they can demonstrate they can do
> > good work, you will reconsider the pay in six months or something like
> > that.>>
> >
> > When I am looking for work in the future, please, someone remind me
> not to
> > send my resume to Anitian Consulting.
> >
>
> My company hires only the best writers, programmers, etc.  People who
> don't follow directions, take shortcuts, and don't do their work don't
> last long at my company any way.  However, my consultants also make
> $20,000 to $40,000 more than most writers.  The ones that do make here
> are respected, paid well, and get to work on some awesome projects.
> We have a very loyal team that is also very professional. None of my
> consultants would even THINK of applying for a job without submitting
> EXACTLY what the advertisement asks for.
>
> > <<The fact is, people who do not follow directions should not be
> > rewarded with a job at the salary they want.>>
> >
> > I guess they don't deserve that gold star on their final drafts they
> had
> > been hoping for, either. It sounds like you treat job-hunters with
> the same
> > attitude that a third-grade teacher treats her students. If they
> miss a
> > deadline, do you rap their knuckles with a ruler?
> >
>
> Hey, if your boss asks you to do something and you don't do it, you
> get in trouble.  If you keep avoiding work, you get fired.  The fact
> is, people who think they are "above" submitting cover letters or
> samples are simply not deserving of a high paying, respectable job.
>
> Twist my logic into whatever dimension you want, Matt, companies are
> not in business to coddle idiots and people who cannot follow
> directions.  Companies that do that - go out of business.
>
> Yum yum
> Hate me more...
> Andrew Plato
> Presidnet / Principal Tyrant
> Anitian Consulting, Inc.
> www.anitian.com
>
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> From ??? -at- ??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000==


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