Weird....or not?

[SandrA9810]

If she was a little weary of your husband, she could've stepped to the door to speak with you at the mall.

As well, after finding out that the law office really exsisted. All she had to do was phone up and say "Is this the law office seeking to hire a new secertary??", and then confirm the best way to submit the resume. She could've even drove over to the office and dropped it off in person to meet the OP again, and go over some of the basic job descriptions.

 

[princesshannahsmom]

If she was a little weary of your husband, she could've stepped to the door to speak with you at the mall.

As well, after finding out that the law office really exsisted. All she had to do was phone up and say "Is this the law office seeking to hire a new secertary??", and then confirm the best way to submit the resume. She could've even drove over to the office and dropped it off in person to meet the OP again, and go over some of the basic job descriptions.

Yes. This.

While I do agree that DH approaching her with the opportunity may be a bit unorthodox, I STILL don't understand a GROWN, married college graduate having her MOTHER call for her. I mean, had her husband called, JUST to verify the validity of the offer, I probably wouldn't have been so taken aback. But, her mother?

At any rate. Boss says we (I) will interview her and see what kind of vibes we get. But, as previous posters have pointed out, I need a self starter who isn't afraid to make decisions (about minor things). I will just be VERY up front with here about needing to do things on her own and not constantly be looking to me, and especially not to boss for answers. I am after all going to need a vacation sooner or later!!!

But I do see where it might have seemed strange to be approached in such a manner. Although, that is kind of how I got the job here myself, so I guess it just isn't THAT strange to me!

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

...At any rate. Boss says we (I) will interview her and see what kind of vibes we get. But, as previous posters have pointed out, I need a self starter who isn't afraid to make decisions (about minor things). I will just be VERY up front with here about needing to do things on her own and not constantly be looking to me, and especially not to boss for answers. I am after all going to need a vacation sooner or later!!!

I am glad that you are at least giving her this courtesy, though it sounds like she is going to have to do more to prove herself to you than she may be able to accomplish in an interview. However, if you really have kinda made up your mind that she isn't the one, at least be honest with her in the interview about why you reached that conclusion. Give her enough information to learn from...

 

[sparklynails23]

The girl's family probably saw the same show I did the other night about girls being tricked into white slavery. They went to job interviews and became hostages. Seriously, I think you should give the girl a chance. Her mom lives close- built-in childcare.

Also, if you aren't paying more than unemployment, then you aren't paying enough. My sister runs a law office, and they pay their receptionist more than that.

 

[Becky2005]

The whole situation seems weird to me.

I think the girl was right in being a little nervous about this job. Who advises a retail clerk working at the mall, someone they don't know and have only talked to for a few moments, about a job at their spouse's place of business? Seriously, if it were me, I would never have followed up on it. I would have figured it was some kind of scam.

.......There are some crazy things that happen. I can just see the headlines.."clerk at Hollister found dead at the former law office location of Smith & Smith."

I would think this myself. Plus in retail, you are either taught or you just know when something ODD happens to question it. Having a strange man give you a phone number for a job lead out of the clear blue sky would fit the ODD situation. I'm assuming he didn't say have a business card with the phone number on it but just wrote the number down.

I can think of a bunch of things that would go through my head pretty much along the lines of the fake "talent scouts" that want you to come to their studio to do recordings...yeah sure...right.

I'm glad you are giving her a chance but with all the wackos out there and ALL the information on what to look for, I'm pretty sure "someone offering you a job unsolicited" is high up there on the red flag meter. Just because they could find the law office stuff doesn't mean you actually WORKED for that office...as far as the person knew it could be a front.

I'm glad you are going to at least give her an interview if her skills on the resume seemed like a good fit. It will be in a more professional setting and you can see how things are.

 

[chellewashere]

Her mom sounds like my DH's grandpop.
About 7 years ago my DH lost his job and started going thru the help ads making notes in his book about who to call, questions he wanted to ask, some answers to questions that might come up things like that. At the time we were splitting up our week staying with him to help take care of him and at our own house 1 1/2 hours away. Well his grandpop took it upon himself to call all the jobs and quiz them and to top it off beg them to hire my DH. How embarrassing was it for him when he would call about the jobs and find out that his gpop had already called them all and most werent interested in hiring him due to that fact. He found an excellent job thru a friend and his gpop still tried to "help" him with that one showing up to it after the interview to talk to the owners to make sure they hired him.
Oh boy Im sure he had good intentions but he is a control freak to say the least so maybe her situation is similar mom just took it upon herself.

 

[Kathi OD]

If she was a little weary of your husband, she could've stepped to the door to speak with you at the mall.

As well, after finding out that the law office really exsisted. All she had to do was phone up and say "Is this the law office seeking to hire a new secertary??", and then confirm the best way to submit the resume. She could've even drove over to the office and dropped it off in person to meet the OP again, and go over some of the basic job descriptions.

However, if this was a scam, long the lines of the "talent scout" one a PP mentioned, all this would still appear to be on the up and up. I don't blame her one bit for being super-suspicious. Still think the mom calling was a bit over-the-top.

 

[NewCrew42]

Yes. This.

While I do agree that DH approaching her with the opportunity may be a bit unorthodox, I STILL don't understand a GROWN, married college graduate having her MOTHER call for her. I mean, had her husband called, JUST to verify the validity of the offer, I probably wouldn't have been so taken aback. But, her mother?

At any rate. Boss says we (I) will interview her and see what kind of vibes we get. But, as previous posters have pointed out, I need a self starter who isn't afraid to make decisions (about minor things). I will just be VERY up front with here about needing to do things on her own and not constantly be looking to me, and especially not to boss for answers. I am after all going to need a vacation sooner or later!!!

But I do see where it might have seemed strange to be approached in such a manner. Although, that is kind of how I got the job here myself, so I guess it just isn't THAT strange to me!

I am glad you are giving her a chance. Sometimes these sort of things that start off sort of odd, end up turning out for the best.

I had a stalker in college so for a man to give me a number while I am working out the mall would have freaked me out at that age.

If you watch the news, have had a bad personal experience, or a friend who had a bad experience, it leaves a lasting impression on you. Plus, you just can't be too careful. I learned the hard way that NOT telling your family about weird encounters is not a good idea. You always need to let at least one other person know about odd things that happen to you and where you going and when you will home.

Hopefully she will turn out to be a very good employee who will be as thorough with her job as she is with her personal safety.

 

[MerMom60_94]

I feel like everybody is looking at this as two choices - hire her or don't hire her. How about a third choice? What if you interview her and, if all else fits, hire her on a temporary basis with the possibility of it becoming permanent full-time? Rather than have her quit her current position at Hollister, you could give her part-time hours until you know it is going to work out. This way you only have to spend half the day training somebody since you are too busy to train somebody all day. She gets a chance without giving up her current position. You potentially make the right hire and she potentially gets a job in her field. During the temporary / trial period you can see if she can work independently or if her mother is a problem. If your suspicion is right you can not take her on permanently. If your suspicion is wrong you get the person you were after. It could turn into a win / win situation. If you do that, I would be clear up front what is expected and that this is a concern for you.

 

[princesshannahsmom]

The girl's family probably saw the same show I did the other night about girls being tricked into white slavery. They went to job interviews and became hostages. Seriously, I think you should give the girl a chance. Her mom lives close- built-in childcare.

Also, if you aren't paying more than unemployment, then you aren't paying enough. My sister runs a law office, and they pay their receptionist more than that.

To be perfectly honest, what she said was that on 37.5 hours (on the hourly wage we offered), coupled with the gas money and spending lunch money (don't know why she couldn't pack), it would make her "about $50 shy of what she makes on unemployment every two weeks". I don't thing she REALLY wanted to work to be perfectly honest. But, you may be right, we might not be paying enough, I know until about 3 months ago, I was GROSSLY underpaid, but I did some research, printed it out and "enlightened" my boss!

 

[princesshannahsmom]

I feel like everybody is looking at this as two choices - hire her or don't hire her. How about a third choice? What if you interview her and, if all else fits, hire her on a temporary basis with the possibility of it becoming permanent full-time? Rather than have her quit her current position at Hollister, you could give her part-time hours until you know it is going to work out. This way you only have to spend half the day training somebody since you are too busy to train somebody all day. She gets a chance without giving up her current position. You potentially make the right hire and she potentially gets a job in her field. During the temporary / trial period you can see if she can work independently or if her mother is a problem. If your suspicion is right you can not take her on permanently. If your suspicion is wrong you get the person you were after. It could turn into a win / win situation. If you do that, I would be clear up front what is expected and that this is a concern for you.

YES, YES, YES! I don't know why I didn't think of that. This is a perfect scenario. I think I will call her today, after I work out the kinks of WHEN she can work and offer her just that. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!! I guess I was just so taken aback with her mother calling, that the obvious scenarios just didn't pop up!

 

[MerMom60_94]

YES, YES, YES! I don't know why I didn't think of that. This is a perfect scenario. I think I will call her today, after I work out the kinks of WHEN she can work and offer her just that. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!! I guess I was just so taken aback with her mother calling, that the obvious scenarios just didn't pop up!

You're welcome. I hope it all works out for both of you. You'll have to come back in a month or two and let us know.

 

[Becky2005]

To be perfectly honest, what she said was that on 37.5 hours (on the hourly wage we offered), coupled with the gas money and spending lunch money (don't know why she couldn't pack), it would make her "about $50 shy of what she makes on unemployment every two weeks". I don't thing she REALLY wanted to work to be perfectly honest. But, you may be right, we might not be paying enough, I know until about 3 months ago, I was GROSSLY underpaid, but I did some research, printed it out and "enlightened" my boss!

Wait, if she takes your offer, she will make LESS than she makes on uemployment? I might not blame her then for not wanting to take the job. Unemployment isn't exactly a ton of money.

It could also explain why you have been having difficulties finding anyone else to fill the position.

 

[dimimi]

I haven't read all of the posts, but I could see this scenario:

Girl mentions to her mother that someone gave her a phone number for a job offer.

Mom thinks this is odd, which I agree...although many people have gotten jobs in this way....so mom asks daughter for phone number to check it out.

Girl never dreams mom would call and ask all of the questions she did.

I think the mother was just making sure her daughter wasn't being scammed. Crazier things have happened!

I can't imagine how minimum wage at ther retail store would be more money than you are paying?

 

[SandrA9810]

Most jobs I have worked at, all of them in Florida, start off at a base pay and after 90 days it goes up to a more normal work wage. They're already spending a fortune on hiring and training so they want to make sure you work out past the 90 days. 90 days was pretty much that magic mark of whether you keep the job or they let you go.

 

[Darcy03231]

I've worked in law firms (both large and small) for the past 25 years. I have to say that if your firm is only paying slightly more than minimum wage for a receptionist, I think that's where your problem lies in being able to find someone that's willing to take the job.

I don't know what its like in your area, but where I live, even with the economy the way it is, grocery stores, Target and Walmart all pay "slightly more than minimum wage." DD (age 19) is a college student working part-time at the local grocery store and makes $10/hr. I have foster child (also 19 and going to college) that makes $10/hr at Target.

In a law firm your receptionist is the "face of the firm." She (or he) is the one answering the telephone and greeting your clients. This is a job where sometimes someone has to be able to think fast on their feet. I wouldn't hire anyone who wasn't highly professional, motivated, and a self-starter. Also, for most small firms the receptionist has a lot of other duties such as assisting the paralegals, ordering all the supplies, etc. I can tell you in our area a good legal receiptionist will make $12-$15/hr.

 

[antmaril]

All I can picture is when Marie Barone called the FBI when Robert was going to interview. So funny.

I was just going to post the same thing

 

[cm8]

I've worked in law firms (both large and small) for the past 25 years. I have to say that if your firm is only paying slightly more than minimum wage for a receptionist, I think that's where your problem lies in being able to find someone that's willing to take the job.

I don't know what its like in your area, but where I live, even with the economy the way it is, grocery stores, Target and Walmart all pay "slightly more than minimum wage." DD (age 19) is a college student working part-time at the local grocery store and makes $10/hr. I have foster child (also 19 and going to college) that makes $10/hr at Target.

In a law firm your receptionist is the "face of the firm." She (or he) is the one answering the telephone and greeting your clients. This is a job where sometimes someone has to be able to think fast on their feet. I wouldn't hire anyone who wasn't highly professional, motivated, and a self-starter. Also, for most small firms the receptionist has a lot of other duties such as assisting the paralegals, ordering all the supplies, etc. I can tell you in our area a good legal receiptionist will make $12-$15/hr.

Agreed! Our Practice manager makes $16 an hour and she is M-T from 9 to 4 and Fridays 9 to noon!