Someone interviewed for a job at my work AND (Update #64)

[DisneyFan32WI]

I can't stand her. I knew her from a previous job, and now she has applied for the HR Director position at my place! She interviewed on Friday, and my CEO e-mailed me asking if I knew her because of the same place we were at previously. I would be considered equal to her because of my position.

I truly dislike her and I'm not sure how to say it to the CEO. I know the CEO had a lot of interviews, and he is exhausted with it all now. The e-mail said he had a good conversation with her and she probably could do the job well.

WHAT DO I DO? I have only been in my new position for a short time so I don't want to screw this up. I don't want to sound unprofessional, but I would be extremely unhappy if she got the job.
Here is the problem: The lady is just plain weird. She also avoids confrontation and is very unsupportive. So, there is nothing extremely WRONG with her, other than the things I just mentioned. How do I tell the CEO that he shouldn't hire her without telling him what to do?

 

[aaarcher86]

I can't stand her. I knew her from a previous job, and now she has applied for the HR Director position at my place! She interviewed on Friday, and my CEO e-mailed me asking if I knew her because of the same place we were at previously. I would be considered equal to her because of my position. I truly dislike her and I'm not sure how to say it to the CEO. I know the CEO had a lot of interviews, and he is exhausted with it all now. The e-mail said he had a good conversation with her and she probably could do the job well. WHAT DO I DO? I have only been in my new position for a short time so I don't want to screw this up. I don't want to sound unprofessional, but I would be extremely unhappy if she got the job. Here is the problem: The lady is just plain weird. She also avoids confrontation and is very unsupportive. So, there is nothing extremely WRONG with her, other than the things I just mentioned. How do I tell the CEO that he shouldn't hire her without telling him what to do?

You don't tell him not to hire her. That's not your place.

Just be honest and respectful. Focus on providing feedback in her job skills, not your personal opinion or her personality. I'd avoid what you wrote here. It sounds really petty.

 

[marmalade]

If what you don't like about her is personal you need to keep your thoughts to yourself. If you feel she will won't be able to do the job she is applying for you can give him reasons as to why.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Yes. Forget the weird completely. Also remember the HR requirements. You may think she's supportive, but the position supports the employer. Not necessarily the employee.

 

[JanaDee]

I can't stand her. I knew her from a previous job, and now she has applied for the HR Director position at my place! She interviewed on Friday, and my CEO e-mailed me asking if I knew her because of the same place we were at previously. I would be considered equal to her because of my position.

I truly dislike her and I'm not sure how to say it to the CEO. I know the CEO had a lot of interviews, and he is exhausted with it all now. The e-mail said he had a good conversation with her and she probably could do the job well.

WHAT DO I DO? I have only been in my new position for a short time so I don't want to screw this up. I don't want to sound unprofessional, but I would be extremely unhappy if she got the job.
Here is the problem: The lady is just plain weird. She also avoids confrontation and is very unsupportive. So, there is nothing extremely WRONG with her, other than the things I just mentioned. How do I tell the CEO that he shouldn't hire her without telling him what to do?

You don't tell the CEO anything. What you've listed here are petty personal problems, not job problems.

 

[Micca]

If you're asked "do you know her?" you can say "yes" and leave it at that. Sometimes it's what you don't say that best conveys the message.

 

[tvguy]

Here is the problem: The lady is just plain weird. She also avoids confrontation and is very unsupportive. So, there is nothing extremely WRONG with her, other than the things I just mentioned. How do I tell the CEO that he shouldn't hire her without telling him what to do?

When I am asked by my boss about a job applicant I know, I always answer honestly. My boss doesn't have time to mess with a bad hire, and neither to I. Only had one positive recommendation go bad on me and then it was because it was the problem was with a manager......who fired the person I recommended......and ultimately got fired himself because they discovered HE was the problem, not her.
Although the "avoids confrontation and is very unsupportive"
description makes this person a perfect candidate for HR in most companies today.

 

[Art 1]

I wonder what she might tell the CEO about the OP if given the chance.

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

I wonder what she might tell the CEO about the OP if given the chance.

Please don't spin this around on me, Art. I can promise you I'm not the issue here. I need real, solid advice I can take away from this thread. I don't need it to go awry like so many threads do here.

And to answer your question, I think she would tell the CEO that we didn't see eye to eye on situations. The problem here is that the 2 of us would essentially be in the same exact working environment as before. I would need her support in key HR issues. She would in turn, provide no support. She is very awkward to speak with.

I guess what I'm looking for are a few key choice words that I can use with my CEO tomorrow without making a big deal out of it. I don't think she would be a good fit for the company. I don't want to work with her again. She doesn't deserve a new opportunity with this high of a salary.

The CEO values my opinion as I am a key leader in the organization.

I don't want to make this seem like petty high school drama issues. She is in her high 50's, and I'm 40.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Please don't spin this around on me, Art. I can promise you I'm not the issue here. I think she would tell the CEO that we didn't see eye to eye on situations. The problem here is that the 2 of us would essentially be in the same exact working environment as before. I would need her support in key HR issues. She would in turn, provide no support. She is very awkward to speak with.

I guess what I'm looking for are a few key choice words that I can use with my CEO tomorrow without making a big deal out of it. I don't think she would be a good fit for the company. I don't want to work with her again. She doesn't deserve a new opportunity with this high of a salary.

The CEO values my opinion as I am a key leader in the organization.

I don't want to make this seem like petty high school drama issues. She is in her high 50's, and I'm 40.

I think that herein lies the problem. If you have actual knowledge of her work skills then you can at least say that you don't think she's a good fit for your company, with examples if asked for them. If you don't have actual experience of her work skills, just not liking her and saying you don't "want to work with her" isn't going to reflect well on you.

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

I think she would tell the CEO that we didn't see eye to eye on situations. The problem here is that the 2 of us would essentially be in the same exact working environment as before. I would need her support in key HR issues. She would in turn, provide no support. She is very awkward to speak with.

I guess what I'm looking for are a few key choice words that I can use with my CEO tomorrow without making a big deal out of it. I don't think she would be a good fit for the company. I don't want to work with her again. She doesn't deserve a new opportunity with this high of a salary.

The CEO values my opinion as I am a key leader in the organization.

I don't want to make this seem like petty high school drama issues. She is in her high 50's, and I'm 40.

I am often asked for my insights into people and I agree that you should share your insights with the CEO; to do otherwise would be odd (and a lie of omission), given that he directly asked you your opinion.

As I'm sure you already know and plan, I think you should keep it very professional, use direct examples, avoid words such as "weird,""odd," and "cannot stand her" and instead say things such as "Given [current company's] needs in this position, I have concerns about the development of her skills in [insert areas of weakness] because of [reason why it may impact the current company]." I'd also close with something along the lines of "That having been said, I am confident that you are a good judge of what is needed in this position and I am eager to work with whomever you choose..." to essentially reinforce that you are on his side and a good team player.

 

[RitaE]

Something like: "We had this situation where one employee was accusing another employee of sexual harassment because he was making sexual comments and hanging up posters of nearly naked swimsuit models in the hallways. It was her job to independently interview the other co-workers and collect concrete evidence whether the workplace environment was inappropriate because of his actions. She was extremely reluctant to get involved because she doesn't like unpleasantness and for over 2 weeks just kept telling me that she didn't have the time."

If you can give that sort of opinion, then by all means.

If all you got is "She's just weird and nobody likes her!!!!" It just makes you sound immature and unprofessional.

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

Thank you to the previous posters. This is exactly what I'm looking for. I was trying to find a way to word what I was thinking without using my emotions. I wanted to come up with a line or two that I could recite when I see him in the morning.

This is helping my wheels turn.

 

[BigAlsGal]

Please don't spin this around on me, Art. I can promise you I'm not the issue here. I need real, solid advice I can take away from this thread. I don't need it to go awry like so many threads do here.

And to answer your question, I think she would tell the CEO that we didn't see eye to eye on situations. The problem here is that the 2 of us would essentially be in the same exact working environment as before. I would need her support in key HR issues. She would in turn, provide no support. She is very awkward to speak with.

I guess what I'm looking for are a few key choice words that I can use with my CEO tomorrow without making a big deal out of it. I don't think she would be a good fit for the company. I don't want to work with her again. She doesn't deserve a new opportunity with this high of a salary.

The CEO values my opinion as I am a key leader in the organization.

I don't want to make this seem like petty high school drama issues. She is in her high 50's, and I'm 40.

What's wrong with putting it as you've done here? I think it provides the right information.

But here's some food for thought. Was she THAT bad? What if he passes her up based on what you've said and then hires a real nightmare. At least you know what you're up against with this girl.

 

[dawnball]

(oops, there was more conversation while I was posting, and this is pretty irrelevant now!)

 

[kaytieeldr]

I guess what I'm looking for are a few key choice words that I can use with my CEO tomorrow without making a big deal out of it.
1) I don't think she would be a good fit for the company.
2) I don't want to work with her again.
3) She doesn't deserve a new opportunity with this high of a salary.

1) Best response is some version of what A_Princess's_Daddy offered, then have an example or two in mind if he asks - but don't necessarily volunteer.
2) No. He's not asking what you want, plus this makes you seem not a team player.
3) I'm a stickler for number accuracy, but 1000% NO!!!!!!! Not up to you to determine - and certainly not to state - what anyone deserves for a salary. Or a an opportunity for that matter.

 

[disykat]

I would definitely give the opinion that you were asked for. The things you described don't exactly make her a great candidate.

By email I might way something like "Yes, I did know x at x. I am unable to give her a recommendation for this position."

If he asks again personally, I'd try to come up with a positive to lead with and say something like "although x was good at x, I felt there were issues with x, x and x."

Even IF the only thing about her was that you just plain don't like her, that is valid input in this situation IMO. You just have to find a way to phrase it that doesn't sound personal. My guess is that if you had these issues, others did as well. Phrase things as "she had difficulty getting along with her coworkers" etc.

I can't imagine not giving my boss my opinion, as many seem to be recommending. Part of what I'm paid for is my input into decisions that affect the team. When team members don't get along, that affects the workplace.

You can express this, carefully, but also have to be prepared to work with her if she is hired.

 

[MSLRAC]

I'm sorry but since you haven't actually provided any real reason that she should not be hired other than you don't like her, it does seem petty and high school. You are pretty much sounding like a mean girl.

If she is truly "awkward" it seems that the CEO would have noted that in his conversation with her.

"She doesn't deserve a new opportunity with this high of a salary." Wow! Just wow!

I don't know but I view karma as a total B**** so I would tread cautiously.

I would not keep someone from getting a job unless I had concrete details as to why they couldn't do the job.

I agree! It's not up to the OP to decide what this lady deserves or not and that is not what the CEO asked. He also didn't ask if the OP wanted to work with her or not. OP, I honestly think that you need to keep your mouth shut because it seems like your issues with this lady are personal, immature, and petty.

 

[Bluestars]

Please don't spin this around on me, Art. I can promise you I'm not the issue here. I need real, solid advice I can take away from this thread. I don't need it to go awry like so many threads do here.

And to answer your question, I think she would tell the CEO that we didn't see eye to eye on situations. The problem here is that the 2 of us would essentially be in the same exact working environment as before. I would need her support in key HR issues. She would in turn, provide no support. She is very awkward to speak with.

I guess what I'm looking for are a few key choice words that I can use with my CEO tomorrow without making a big deal out of it. I don't think she would be a good fit for the company. I don't want to work with her again. She doesn't deserve a new opportunity with this high of a salary.

The CEO values my opinion as I am a key leader in the organization.

I don't want to make this seem like petty high school drama issues. She is in her high 50's, and I'm 40.

If it were me, I would give my boss specific examples of how she acted or reacted to certain situations. How is she unsupportive? Does she completely ignore requests for support? Do she respond in ways that aren't productive? Do you have any specific examples of her behavior that would lead you to believe she would be unsuitable for this position?

I have worked with a couple of people who were very difficult and I would never want to work with those people again. When a person is difficult, incompetent, or unsuitable for a position, usually nearly every employee working closely with this type of person feels the same way about him or her. Were you the only person who didn't like this employee or did other coworkers feel the same way? How did her previous boss feel about her?

 

[Happy Snowman]

Were you the only one, or one of the few, that had problems with her at your previous company? If so, I would just say that you knew her and leave it at that. If most people at the company had problems with her, I would say that she would not be a good fit for the company. If you are pressed for specifics, I would give some concrete examples of what makes her not a good fit like she repeatedly sent hiring managers unqualified candidates for interviews while passing over excellent candidates or she habitually turned in her payroll late causing delays in payments to employees or whatever she did. Don't generalize that she "avoids conflict"..give specifics like "when employees forgot to sign up for their benefits, she would just sign them up under a "life change" option instead of enforcing deadlines. Do not use words like "weird" or "awkward"--especially since your boss said he had a nice conversation with her--that makes him seem weird or awkward LOL.