Sticky Situation......

[DisneyJules]

Hey guys, I need some advice. I went for a job interview the other day and it went really well. The thing is, I'm going to school this fall and so it would only be for the summer. But my parents told me not to say anything to my employer because it would ruin my chances of having a full time position for the summer and making good money for school. So, I got an email this morning from one of my references and she told me that they were going to hire me on the spot when they asked me where I saw myself in three years and I replied, eventually going to school. So now they're worried that I won't be staying, which I'm not but I need the job for the summer. I have no idea what to do.

 

[DMickey28]

What type of job is this? Is it something that you could go down to PT when you start school?

 

[DisneyJules]

It's a full time receptionist position and I think they really need someone who is full time and expecting to stay with the company for years.

 

[sharbear]

I think that you have to be honest with them. I'm sure they don't want to train you just to have you quit in two months. JMHO

 

[Cindy B]

That is tricky. They may decide not to go with you because you could leave and go back to school.

The employer could feel that all the time spent training, benefits, and other stuff could be allocatted better to someone who can, and will stay. (Not to guilt you out, going to school is a great option if you can do it, some can't)


I 've been in that position too, and its not easy.


If you don't need the benefits, would it be better to sign up with a temporary agency, that way you know its temporary, and you won't feel qualms about leaving.

As an employer, I would be disappointed that someone I hired thinking full time permanent would up and leave end of August. As for hiring back in summer/break, it all depends on the business, and how flexible they are. I haven't seen that many places do that for a clerical position. (For temporary assignments like maternity, disability, etc.. they usually have another person "fill in" or get a temp worker for that short time)


personally, I would be honest. It may burn your bridges, but I would rather be honest than for them to be shocked later. The shock later may not translate into an offer for employment during break.

 

[DisneyJules]

The thing is, I had applied for this job two years ago. This was not a recent thing. Two years ago I could really have used a full time job. Unfortunately it didn't come up then and frankly I was really surprised they called me after two years. So here this opportunity comes up and my parents told me I had to go for it. So I've sort of been wedged into this situation.

 

[poohbears5]

I wouldn't take the job unless I planned on staying longer then a couple months as my dh has a business and when he hires someone it takes atleast a month of training that person how the office runs before they are actually a asset so he would be pretty livid to find out that they lied at the interview and after investing all the training time they are leaving.

 

[jfulcer]

IMHO, you have to be honest with them, even if it means that you don't get the job. What you would be doing is not only burning a bridge, but blowing it up with TNT also. Anyone that is in a management position in that company now will know your name and the game you played.

Think about a couple years from now when you are applying for jobs in your new career. What if the HR person you interviewed with now is with the <i>new</i> company. I seriously think they would pass over you....

 

[DisneyJules]

I agree with you all. I am a very honest person and that's why this has been bothering me so much, so I will tell them of my plans for school so that I I'm not burning myself.

 

[Disney Doll]

Maybe you could work something out where you could work when you came home for school breaks etc. Or, if you're going to school in your area, maybe you could work weekends or part time. That way, the time and expense they spend training you won't be wasted. If that kind of scenario worked out, you'd have an in if you wanted to work there after you were done with school.

Honesty is the best policy. Think how you would feel if you were an employer and someone lied to you.

 

[Adrianna]

All I can say is...... put the shoe on the other foot, if you were the boss wouldn't be a little ticked if that happened to you? Unless it's like the only job available, I'd tell them you really weren't thinking of staying there permanently.

 

[DisneyJules]

Ok guys, I've talked to her and told her that I will be going to school in the future. Plus I work in film which could pose a problem because I can be called at anytime. So I feel much better now, she said she would get back to me. I also asked her if it would be possible to get in part-time in another area of the travel office. The pay is really good plus working part-time would makes things more flexible.

 

[DisneyJules]

So she finally phoned me back. I got passed up for the other girl because of my film work and the fact that I would probably not be with the company for many years to come. But all has actually worked out. Now I've gained her respect because I was honest with her, she likes me and is going to offer me a part-time position when it comes up because she said she really would like for me to work for them. So if I hadn't told them about school, I would have gotten the job BUT they would have been royally pissed off and my future of working with them would have been obsolete. And they pay extremely well, way better than the job I have right now that I was planning to keep during school. So in the end all worked out well, thanks so much for your advice, I really appreciated it!

 

[Claudia1]

I didn't see this earlier but so glad you did the honest thing. In the long run, you earned a good recommendation and her respect.

Congrats!!!!