Would you reconsider this after your interview?

Question

Very short version. I had a interviewed with a hospital locally for an amazing opportunity. I was to be introduced to a group of peers and potential subordinates with a second interview.

That second interview was enough for me not to consider the position. I was skewerd by one of the peeps I'd be managing, she was asking very inapproprate questions, cursed a time or two and dominated the whole 1.5 hours of chatting. She also set forth her expectations of what my job would entail and it was NOT what a manager would be doing according to my job description.

I emailed the HR Dept and let them know after this experience that I WAS NOT impressed by the choice of staff who skewerd me and told them that I appreciated the opportunity, but I was not interested in pursuing the job as it was NOT was I thought iwas all about.

I got a call yesterday from the dept head ( a doctor ) who wanted topersonally calll and apologize for the employee's conduct and attitdue during my "interview". She put forward that they have personality issues with her and really need what I have to offer in order to sort out thier dept. She furthered to say that my potential employees have NO IDEA what my job description is and will be.. and that she begged me to reconsider my turn down.

I asked the MD to meet with the staff who chatted with me and set it straightt that I would be thier superior, not s fellow peer, and EXACTLY what that position would do... only then would I reconsider the job as with their misconception, especially the vulgar nurse if I feel short of thier expectations animosity would form..

It was agreed to speak to the staff and set it straight. SHould I really still consider this job? I feel that I was actively sought out and listened to in regard to my concerns I should at least allow them this?

Answer 1

From a few years of recruitment experience, I would be wary of this "opportunity".

It sounds to me as if this woman is a problem to all concerned who have contact with her, and they were trying you out to see if you were able to do better than they are doing.If she has"personality issues" have these been discussed with her and/or warnings issued? Did she apply for the job and miss out on an interview because of these?

Obviously, if she dominated the interview, she has her co workers cowed as well, so you could not rely on peer pressure to quieten her.

I would expect a vigilant HR manager to have counselled this woman for inappropriate behaviour in the interview, and that she was given a warning.

As her supervisor, you should be permitted to read any paperwork the organisation has on disciplinary action taken, and if there is none, why on earth not if they have such problems with her?

My gut feeling says that you would be up the creek without a paddle if you take the job inheriting the known,unsolved problem of a hostile subordinate.

Answer 2

Is this a newly created position?  If not, I would enquire as to why the previous person left.  If it is, and you agree to take the position, be sure your first undertaking is to send a memo to all who will be working for you to let them know your door will be open to hear of any work-related issues and, neither gossip, nor offensive language, will be tolerated as it undermines morale so causes an unhealthy work-environment.

You can deal with the Rude One by maintaining a professional attitude!

    

Answer 3

First of all kudos to you for standing up for yourself. I really admired that in you.

Regarding the final decision, it's something I will not be able to suggest for it has to come from within you. Ponder it over. What are you leaning more towards naturally? What "feels right".

Difficult people will be everywhere though. No place will be free of challenges.

Goodluck and wish you all the best. And no matter what decision u make, take it, and forget about the other choice. Then put ur whole heart into whatever u chose. Being in two minds is a really tormenting place to be in.

Answer 4

I think it sounds like an amazing opportunity for several reasons.

1.  If they have let a woman like that fester for so long you'll probably find lots of other issues/opportunities which give you the chance to implement whatever needs to be implemented

2.  It sounds like management is not only desperate for you, but they will proactively support you which is a rare opportunity.

3.  You get to be the Manager so what does it matter what your subordinates do ?  If they refuse to be perfomance managed, you'll have sufficent grounds to terminate them.

Good luck !

Answer 5

sounds like a great job ...

i have an idiot at work that thinks shes the boss and acts like hitler , but she is just a mid level employee with the same title as me and  like 50 other people there , almost noone likes her , they keep her because she gets a good amount of work done and everyone just avoids her , even the real bosses avoid her ...

so go get the job and practice dealing with idiots it will happen your whole life

Answer 6

They may just be telling you what you want to hear. Make sure they really do something about the rude nurse.

Answer 7

Again you have to ask yourself how sincerely do you want this job.. but you owe those people a kind reply. The company apologized to you in person. So this is just an issue of this one person. For that the company apologized to you. It is important now to ask yourself how much you want the job which is offered to you. You must have gained some insight during the interview what your exact position will be. They must have explained that or you must have asked. If this is a job you like, jobs aren't that easy to find even if you have a top class education and not every company would apologize on behalf of their employee. So consider that this woman will no longer cause you any problems in the future. Management will make sure of that. She is none of your concerns anymore. If she is the only reason why you wanted to turn down the job, that problem is solved. They will not ever make you work with her if you accept the job. You only can decide if you want the job offered apart from what this one nurse said.. they keep her away or even dismiss her.. so you either like the job and accept or you owe them a polite acceptance of the apologies but you have to have another reason then if you decline the job and you have to explain exactly why you still decline the job after the problem with the nurse has been solved.