My daughter Ellen has had a run of bad luck, which eventually seemed to be turning.
As she comes to the end of her beauty therapy course she was determined to find a job.
“I’ve been offered a job dad” she told me excitedly down the phone. I was thrilled for her, she deserved a break and I could hear the difference that confidence boost had made to her.
The following day it got even better “you won’t believe it dad, I’ve been offered another job” she beamed.
Two days later she called again “Dad, guess what? I’ve been offered a job in a salon and the lady is lovely and it’s exactly what I want, This is the job I’m going to take”.
Three job offers in as many days and my fantastic daughter was transformed – she was now a confident woman with a real spring in her step. She accepted the full time job offer and was due to start the following Monday.
She was then called for an interview to a beauty salon that came highly recommended by her course director on the Saturday.
On the spot she was offered a job by the salon owner despite Ellen’s lack of experience. Ellen explained to her that this would be a big decision as she had already been offered a full time job.
She rang me “you won’t believe it dad – I’ve been offered another job, I can’t believe it! What will I do?”
On the recommendation of her course director she accepted this offer and turned down the previous offer. To her credit she wrote a very professional email to the other salon, explaining the reason why she would not be taking their job offer after all.
Unfortunately the next call was Ellen sobbing on the phone. The salon owner that she had accepted the job from had a change of heart and suddenly her lack of experience was an issue and the full time job offer was rescinded. This news was delivered with barely an apology. While the salon owner thinks there is no consequence to her careless actions she has done huge damage to her reputation.
In the blink of an eye my precious girl was crushed and totally devastated and on top of this blow she now had to contemplate crawling back to the people she had already turned down in the hope that those opportunities were still alive.
Ellen is a strong, determined, talented young woman with a great personality who will recover from this cruel setback but it is one that she should not have to deal with.
I’ve shared this story with a number of people and to my horror nearly everyone I spoke to were able to give me similar stories.
When you offer anyone a job this carries with it a big responsibility – besides the obvious financial consequences you also bring the person, their dreams, hopes and wishes with you.
This is a big responsibility… Mind it.
Tags: Cork, Dublin, Fuzion PR, Graphic Design, Greg Canty, ireland, Marketing
Greg Canty Fuzion Blog 
April 13, 2015 at 5:48 am |
That’s very rough on anyone, Greg, not to mind someone starting off. Perhaps that salon jumped the gun and offered the job only to be overruled by a more senior person. She’ll probably never know. Very unfair on Ellen though.
It’s definitely worth her going back to the other salon and explaining what happened, especially that the course director recommended she take the other job. The salon who offered her the job should hopefully recognise that she’s young and naturally follows the advice of more experienced people.
I really hope it works out for her.
April 14, 2015 at 10:33 am |
Thanks Fergal – Ellen got the other job. I am thrilled for her. Hope you are well. Greg
April 15, 2015 at 5:18 am
Brilliant news!
All fine over here, thanks.
April 13, 2015 at 9:47 am |
Ellen will bounce back – she’s strong at heart and obviously has what it takes to be offered all those jobs in the first place – those employers saw it in her.
The problem is that over the last few years the employers have been given to believe that workers are dispensable – no need to offer secure full time positions – zero hour contracts, short term contracts, no contracts at all – They (the employers) won the race to the bottom ! Workers would accept any form of job because they were so desperate.
The Welfare system similarly treats people appallingly – trapping them on low income and wages, unable to climb out of penury without dropping their living standards even further first as benefits are withdrawn immediately on starting any level of work.
People are trapped on benefits, unable to accept even the most basic pay increase for fear of losing even larger DSW payments and employers have taken advantage of this, even now pleading the poor mouth as the economy improves.
Lastly, Ellen’s experience is indicative of the loss of professional courtesy in most companies, a courtesy that used to exist in HR departments up to the mid 2000’s, where applicants at least could expect a letter, e-mail or phone call to thank them for their application and interest and informing them of the next step or offering a comforting let-down if unsuccessful.
IBEC & the SME organisations should take note of these trends and developments and “encourage” their members to improve their standards of dealing with job applicants and employees. They are doing untold damage to their own businesses with this type of attitude and like the employer who withdrew Ellen’s job offer, their reputation and standing will be seriously tarnished by the many who retell these stories to their peers and friends.
Now what would be the cost of a PR campaign to recover that ?
Fear not Ellen – you’ve been saved from a terrible employer – I hope you go on to find a much better one as I’m sure you will.
April 14, 2015 at 10:32 am |
Thanks Robert – I see appalling manners in business all the time. The ‘crash’ in many ways gave some people licence to behave in that way. The good news is that Ellen got the job that she had originally turned down and is thrilled now. Hope you are well. Greg