A reader writes:
I run a nonprofit in the urban core of the city where I live. I posted a job opening for a position that requires listening to our clients, making connections with them, and offering help by referring them to the resources they need.
One candidate didn’t have experience doing this type of work but had volunteered with a similar population to those we serve. I invited him to a phone interview but, while he was enthusiastic about our work, he was very salesman-like and I felt that he might not be the best fit working with people who need a patient listener. I told him I would get back to him within two weeks as I had other candidates to speak with.
After one week, he sent me the following in an email: “I surmise that my degree, experience, and enthusiasm are no longer needed.” I waited an hour or so before responding to him, saying that I apologized for not meeting his timeline expectations and that his application would not be moving forward at this time. (Because who needs that kind of passive-aggressive drama in the workplace?!) Later that night, I received another email from him saying that he would make sure to tell my nonprofit’s affiliated organizations how disappointed he was with my handling of this.
Needless to say, I dodged a bullet. That resume went straight from the “maybe” folder to the garbage can after this interaction. Now I’m left wondering if this is something I need to act on before rumors get to my board and possibly a supporting organization of ours. Do I even respond to this pushy candidate? Do I notify my board that there’s an unhappy candidate who might be badmouthing our org to other supporters?
I answer this question — and two others — over at Inc. today, where I’m revisiting letters that have been buried in the archives here from years ago (and sometimes updating/expanding my answers to them). You can read it here.
Other questions I’m answering there today include:
- Should I stop saving time slots for clients who regularly cancel?
- How to tell people I’m giving up management
The post a candidate I rejected is threatening to “expose” me appeared first on Ask a Manager.
