How is this my fault?

Alright, so can someone please explain this to me?

I recently had a job interview at my local grocer. This was a grand total of four days after I had moved home, because I had started putting applications into places two weeks prior to the move. The interview comes and goes pretty well.

This morning I get a call from them. They tell me that they were impressed by my performance during the interview; however the position is going to someone else because their scheduling is better. You see, I told them I can work whenever but that my preference was evening; eventually I would like to resume college classes (partially at the request of my mother, which becomes really important later). They already have three employees with that same schedule set, so it makes sense they wouldn't need another. I told them that I completely understood, thanked them for their time, and hung up.

I then go to tell my mom about it. My brother is there too. I tell them that I didn't get the job, and that it was a conflict of interest in regards to scheduling. My brother immediately opens his mouth, saying that I should have said I could work any time. I tell him that I did say anytime was fine, but my preference was evening, particularly because I plan on resuming college classes spring term.

My mom flips her lid. She gets pissed, saying that I shouldn't have even mentioned it. When in a job interview, I shouldn't be thinking about the future, I should just be thinking about now and how money is more important than anything. So basically, her opinion is that I fucked up severely, and now I feel kind of inept because of that.

But I have to ask, is she even right? She was the one pushing for me to go back to college so much, even though I've only been out a week and plan to resume in the spring anyway. And if I'm going to do that, my employer is going to need to know that beforehand so they can make the best decision in regards to running their business. If their decision-making is going to conflict with the goals of their employees, it brings down productivity of the whole company, and they of course know that. So they went for someone with a better person-job fit. So I have to ask...

How in the fuck is it my fault that a damn near perfect interview still resulted in no job?

 

This looks like a blog entry, but I'll chime in with the obvious: The hiring process for many companies is a combination of Ouija board moves and the right timing. My old job: How did I go for toilet installation inspector to admin ninja in less than four months? Because I was there at the right time and I had my pants on. Other jobs I've applied to: I'm more than qualified for their entry level position yet received zero call backs. It is what it is.

 

But my problem with that is if you omit that in the first interview, and they hire you/give you a second interview, you've just put them in a worse situation; not to mention they will likely terminate you within that probationary period anyway. It can also work both ways, putting you in an even worse situation. At my last job, there were several scheduling requirements including being on the premises for 24 straight hours or more. On more than one occasion, I had to deal with an urgent situation because people decided to violate those terms, leaving us completely understaffed (one time I was the only staff member across four buildings, and everything that could go wrong at the time did). That's why scheduling, even months in advance, is so important.

And I'm registered for Spring Term 2013. That's why I brought it up in the first place. I filled out the paperwork that morning.

 

Well, I guess I'll just have to learn from my mistakes and try again.

 

Not your fault. Your parents sound like unsuportive ... human beings.

Just next time, leave out all your preference especially low level jobs like grocery clerks or what have you. These are jobs that don't require much ... disclosure. So to speak. That is to say, these people will be thoroughly impressed with your ability to show up to work on time and do your job. Nothing more nothing less. You can seek a shift change AFTER you get your foot in the door. Also, be prepared to leave on the drop of a hat should the manager actually say something like "We hired you for that specific shift and we have to let you go if you can't work it". That's totally fine. You'll find another one. But school is important. I found that making yourself reliable in other areas makes the higher ups more likely to develop you or even attempt to accomodate your situation.

 

honestly, it just sounds like a bullshit excuse they gave you. more than likely it had nothing to do with you and more to do with they just wanted this other person (maybe they knew the manager etc.).

 

It depends on your perspective and the place you're applying. I've worked at each end of the spectrum (seemingly exclusively) and try to have an idea of what the place is like before I walk in the first time.

I've worked for some real asshole companies - companies that will screw you over at every opportunity: no loyalty, no respect and no conscience. Nothing but the bottom line matters. Companies like that? Tell them whatever you have to get what you need, because they're only going to be doing the same thing to you. There are a lot of companies out there like this, too many. I think some folks get a skewed perspective in dealing with employers because of this.

 

This might be true. I applied a while back for so many jobs with OPEN availability and they had no reason to turn me down so they simply never called back. You just need to keep on searching. You will find something that you can do that is low stress sooner or later.

 

If this job was up the ladder a few notches and a change in schedule after 4 months would leave the company in a bind I'd agree that you were right to alert them to your future plans - but let's face it, grocery stores generally have a high turnover of employees. They are fairly used to employees staying for a while and moving on to greener pastures. You don't say what position you were being interviewed for but I'm assuming it wasn't anything like store manager or even clerical staff.

I'm sort of with those here who think it was just an excuse, as grocery stores (at least the larger ones) are usually overstaffed in such a way that they can accommodate different work schedules as they survive mostly on part time and floating employees they can move around to ensure they have adequate coverage. If they were looking to hire, it was probably to top off their employee roster.

But yeah, in the future I would advise you don't raise the flag on future plans unless you feel that your position is going to be vital to the company operation and a change would put them in a difficult position.

The truth is, getting your foot in the door is everything these days. But once you've proven yourself a reliable, hard-working employee, many employers will accommodate a change in plans down the road.

I think your mother was out of line.

Good luck.

 

I would view your presenting that information at the interview as an innocent, rookie mistake.
Yes, it's a mistake.
But hardly a major sin.
You will get better at this with experience. Some excellent advice in the posts above.
Try to keep your cards closer to the vest, in general.

 

Money is only valuable insofar as it gets you things. If you can afford to be choosy when looking for a job, by all means do so.

 

its a job at the grocery store that u intended on leaving anyways. why would you get all flustered over that?

as cynth said, if you play your cards closer, and you get hired, and they want to fire you for having a kid/being a certain colour/being a student etc etc, then you could probably have their ass handed to them in court.

 

I agree with Cyn et al.

However, I find it disturbing that your brother and mother flipped out about it. You're simply trying to secure a better future for yourself by going to school, they should at least understand that if you are in a job that makes it nearly impossible to attend class, that's a far greater loss than being honest at a job interview and not securing that particular position.

The wife is in H.R. she spends around 15 seconds looking at a resume. That should tell you something. Lists, lists, lists. They don't need or want a term paper. Put down your better points and then just be honest in the interview, but keep some things closer to the chest. They won't tell you everything about the company/job, so it's ok to keep some of your personal issues hidden as well.

Chalk this up to experience. Another opportunity will come along that will hopefully suit your goals better. Good luck!

 

When I interview applicants, especially younger ones, I always ask if they have plans for furthering their education. I like the ones who answer yes, because the positions I usually have aren't career-path positions. Folks working toward a goal have tended to be more prompt and enthusiastic, I'be found. If their class schedule doesn't conflict with my needs to much, I hire them and make accommodations, when I can.

I suspect that your grocer doesn't share my feelings on this. I had a boss like that once.