Not a good morning
Moms View Message Board: General Discussion: Archive July 2006:
Not a good morning
Yesterday afternoon I got a call from a staffing agency near where I used to live. I left Brendan with Tiffany and headed over there to do the interview process and testing.
I honestly should have went with my gut when I walked in and it was SUPER FANCY, saying fancy doesn't quite cut it really. Anyways, I NEED a job and I WANT a job so I decided oh well and signed in and started on the paperwork.
After I turned my paperwork in a girl named Cassandra called me back. We went into a little room and started talking, we talked about my qualifications and my past experience. I'm finding that being out of the work force for 5 years is REALLY hurting me :-(.
She said they "might" have something and asked my pay requirements and how far I'd be willing to commute. She said most of their openings were in the Galleria area or downtown, I said if the pay was okay I'd be willing to drive.
After that she says that she wants to do some testing and gets me set up for testing in Word, Excel, and a typing test. I fly through the word, struggle through the excel and botch up on the typing and go sit back in the waiting room for her to call me back.
Finally she calls me back and we head back to a conference room. She tells me my scoree: Word 93%, Excel 76%, and type 42 WPM ( I go faster usually at least 50-55). She then proceedes to tell me that I'm dressed all wrong, my shoes all are wrong, that my purse is wrong, and my hair is all wrong for an interview and that I'd never get a job dressed the way I was.
I can take criticism but here lately I've been really sensitive and really I felt like she was attacking ME. I wore what I had (a skirt and shirt) my hair was down and neat and maybe I should have changed purses but... She actually said the words "the companies that we staff for are high end companies and you're not suitablely dressed for them..." then she went on to tell me about how you can get outfits at thrift stores that are nice and that Target has nice clothes etc... Hey guess what lady, you have to have $$ to even go to those places!!
I lost it: I started crying when she started in on my hair. You guys all know how I struggle with my hair so this is a really sensitive spot with me.
So I left, I emailed her when I got home and told her to please disregard my paperwork that I'm not a match for her company or the people she is looking for. Sure I can get a outfit for an interview but what happens when I do get something and don't have a thing to wear other than one outfit??
I came home to Brendan and Tiffany playing nicely together and we went and checked out daycares for Brendan.
Needless to say this morning wasn't a good morning, I felt about an inch tall after my trip over there. I'm trying as hard as I can and it's just not good enough and not cutting it.
Tomorrow has to be a better day.
(((Christy))) That must have made you feel awful, what a witch! I am sure tomorrow will be a better day and don't worry a job will turn up eventually.
{{{{{Christy}}}}} I'm so sorry you had a rotten interview. Tomorrow WILL be better!!! We're always here for you. More hugs...
Christy, I'm sorry you had a bad morning. Don't let one person's bitterness make you feel bad about yourself. Be proud tht you went in and interviewed even though you knew the place wasn't right for YOU.
A similar scenerio happened to me when I interviewed with a higher-end retail chain many years ago.
Your interview reminds me of the book/movie..."The Devil Wears Prada"!
Hang in there! 
That wasn't the job for you, and truthfully something better will come along. Take care of yourself, and please don't take anything she said to heart. You are a beautiful person, a great mom and everyone around you recongnizes that! Many ehugs
Christy, I'm so sorry you had such a awful morning. Like Annie, I have had a similiar experience. At the time it seemed so terrible, but once I found the job that was right for me, (and one I really loved:-) I looked back and realized I would have been miserable working for that particular company.
You will find your niche! I just looked at your photo in your profile. You are a beautiful lady, and I like your hair! (I have never cared for my hair, so I understand your insecurity. But you look great, and I mean it!)
Hugs to you. Looking for work is most stressful. You seem to have so much going for yourself. We're all pulling for you!
Christy, I'm sorry. She could have at least been polite. I think maybe your typing speed could have been because you felt intimidated.
And, let's face it, you probably would not want to work for the kinds of companies they find staff for. If their clients are as insensitive and rude as the agency person was, who needs it?
Oh, that happened to me to in Dallas. This was 20+ years ago and I went for an interview at a staffing agency wearing a sundress and sandals which the lady said were totally inappropriate for office work. I was surprised. I was straight out of college, clueless, and had just moved back home with my mom. I thought I was doing good just being in a dress.
She still placed me at a brokerage house at the Galleria and I was more conservatively dressed - hose and the whole deal. I think Mother dressed me. It was a 3 day gig and I managed not to repeat using my mother's borrowed clothes.
Ironically, the last 3 jobs I have had (country club, law firm and software developer) NONE had any sort of dress code at all. These women I work with now come to work barely dressed - the skimpiest tops and skirts or shorts, and, Lord knows, no one wears hose unless they are in the courtroom.
Still, I wasn't offended by the lady's comments. She needs to know that her agency's workers show up dressed right and if we show up to the agency interview dressed wrong chances are good we wouldn't be dressed right at the job placement. And she's right. I would have worn that sundress to the next job because it was the only dress I owned.
I really know how to dress now, but I still don't do it unless I have to (client coming in town, etc). I am the worst clothes buyer bec I always go too cheap and I hate spending money on clothes. There are some really cute comfortable office clothes out there now, not suits, but still nice looking, I think it's easier now. If I just stay at Talbot's, I'm good.
Christy, I can't believe how incredibly unprofessional this woman was. She was so disrespectful, it just blows my mind. She obviously had already made up her mind when you walked in the door why would anyone do something like that. I'm really shocked and very, very sorry this happened to you.
You are a wonderful person and there is an employer out there that will appreciate your skill set but also see the real person, who is an assist to the company, a good citizen and wonderful mom who cares about her kids.
Big, Big Hugs
OH MY GOSH, Christy. I'm in shock. She was SO very rude. My mouth is wide open and I'm NOT kidding.
You should get nice job, buy a bunch of nice clothes, and then do the "Pretty Woman" bit and march yourself into her office and tell her off. Ok, I know you won't do that, but that was TOTALLY uncalled for. She was just being mean. Especially if she went on and on after you started crying.
This is just me and me only...I would find out who HER boss's boss (you never know if her boss is actually a friend who hired her) is and write a letter to him/her about your experience and how, not only was she unprofessional, but how she had ZERO tact. I'm literally horrified. I would be angry if someone worked for me and brought a potential employee to tears. That drags their name through the mud and I'm sure that he/she would be dismayed.
I'm so sorry, Christy. You are honestly very beautiful. And, I'm so sorry you had to even meet this woman. Makes me want to write a letter to her myself!
I might add, she is also very stupid. Doesn't she realize you need a JOB and *ahem* jobs pay *money* and that *money* buys nice clothes. She's obviously not very bright.
Alright...I'll calm down now. It makes me so mad when people pick on other people. Again, Christy, I'm so sorry.
I also totally agree with HeavenTree and Nicki.
You are such a good mom and someone who obviously is trying the best she can. From now on, the only judges in your life are your children, got it?
Go get 'em, girl. You'll find something awesome soon. I'll say a big ol' prayer for you tonight!!!
{{{Christy}}} She was definitley unprofessional and out of line. It would be different if she was just telling you the dress code of the companies that they represent. BUT, to start attacking your personal appearance is totally uncalled for. She had no right. I just can't stand people with a hollier-then-though attitude.
{{{hugs}}} you are a wonderful mother and you have a big heart. It is obvious from your posts. Just try and stay positive. I know something great will come along soon.
I agree with everything that's been said. Your picture is one of a beautiful girl, and don't let anyone take away your self-esteem. That woman sounded like someone who is very insecure in herself, and as Heidi said, she may have gotten HER job because of connections. You should have asked her if you were interviewing for a Miss America pageant. That, if you had known, you would have brought your hair and make-up people with you. LOL!
You don't want any part of that scene anyway. You seem too genuine to work in such a superficial and rude environment. Hang in there! The job will come along that will be the perfect match for you. ((HUGS))
Good grief. She wasn't very nice! I'm not a fashion person, either. You just have to take me as I am!
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU and THANK YOU all again! Your words are JUST what I needed to read tonight after my rough day!!
I've spent the evening printing out applications for 3 different local cities for dispatcher and admin assistant positions. I didn't even realized but I have ALL the qualifications and experience for a dispatcher and I would LOVE to be able to help people so I'm giving it a shot! I'm going tomorrow to turn all three in and head to a local temp agency that is more on my level.
Thank you all again for your kind words, encouragement, and support. Tomorrow WILL be a better day because I'm going to make it be!
Good for you, Christy! I think you would be great with any position helping others! Like Hol said, you are genuine, and a kind person. I am thinking good thoughts for you!
(((((Christy)))))
I'm sorry she was such a rude female dog, but I'm proud of you for standing up for yourself!!!
{{{{Hugs}}}} I'm so sorry you had to endure that horrible interview. Ditto everyone else about how wonderful you are! I'm glad you have some better options. You WILL get the job that's meant to be! Hang in there!
Say what? I dont' care if she was the employer. The nerve of some folks. Sweetie, I hope youdnt' take any of that to heart. I can see that you are a beautiful attractive young lady . And for sure something else better will come along. When one door closes another one opens.
((((HUGS))))
I am sure that you would not have been happy there, anyway. Your talents would not have been as appreciated as your appearance would have been.
I do wish that if you were dressed wrong for the part, she could have spared you the time and trouble of putting you through the tests and just sent you out the door a lot earlier. Might not have been painless that way, but it would have been quicker.
Everything happens for a reason. There must be something better for you on the horizon.
Thanks everyone again, today I went and turned in 3 applications at some local cities for positions. 2 in dispatch and one for admin asst. we will see what happens!
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