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Words to be Wary of: “Can you get me a job where you work?”

by Been There, Done That on July 2, 2007 9:44 AM

My recent experience helping a friend get a job where I work has left me wary. Full disclosure: he’s my ex-boyfriend (and I mean ex; more than 25 years ago). Years after breaking up, we both ended up on the Upper West Side with kids in the same kindergarten class! We’ve stayed in touch and I knew he was looking for a new job. Recently he called me about a position he had seen advertised where I work.

That job wasn’t for him, but I knew about another opening coming up that hadn’t been advertised yet. I sent an email to the person who would be hiring saying I had a great candidate for the job, and I asked my friend to send me his resume.

The resume was terrible. I rewrote it and sent it in for him with a cover letter I also wrote. I also helped write the internal job description that had to be posted before anyone could interview for the position. I really coached him for the interviews (besides telling him that, no, he could not wear jeans and sneakers) and the thank you notes (which he hadn’t even thought to send). Based on my recommendation no one else was even interviewed. Needless to say, he got the job!

Now I’m a little worried about how he’ll do. His prior work experience didn’t exactly dovetail the job description. Suddenly I’m remembering his annoying habits and mannerisms rather than his qualifications. None of the other men at work use man-purses. I don’t want any problems he has to reflect badly on me, so I didn’t tell anyone at work how well we knew each other, and we’ll be working in different departments. But be warned: be sure you’re confident about anyone you know when you recommend them for a job.

Comments (2)

I think you have a heart of gold. I wish I had friends that would help me get a job instead of me struggling paycheck to paycheck. All you can do now is not have any regrets. You already made the step just keep moving forward. Keep an eye on him once in a while and if you see he is not doing a good job speak to the person you recommended him to.Tell that person you thought he would be a good candidate but you were mistaken and that this company but probably not a good fit for him. Just so it wont look so bad on you. Atleast you were the bigger person and talked first. It would make you feel much better instead of being worried all the time.

— Posted by Carla | July 16, 2007 2:32 PM | Comment Permalink

I want to commend you on the effort and sincerity you put into helping this person. I only wish there were more people like you in this world, they beat in our heads network, network, and in the now 3 years since losing my job, I only find myself helping others. I wish there were more people like you that would do what they would want to have done for them. As for if it does not work out, I would check in with him periodically and if you see that it is not going as it should then I would make sure people know that wow has he changed since you knew him. Good luck and please keep up the goodness and effort that you have.

— Posted by Jennie Lederer | July 14, 2007 9:26 AM | Comment Permalink

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