I need help with interpreting some weird behavior.
I recently left my regular job to take some time off and think about going back to school. In order to find an interesting part time gig, I sent my resume to a colleague in a local firm that was hiring interns, on the theory that hey, I've got lots of experience, some time on my hands and probably would be less trouble than your average student hire.
She (the colleague) responded quickly--she was sure they could find something for me to do, and sent me her cell phone number. I talked with her briefly about some projects they've got going. I let her know I was definitely interested, and said I'd follow up as soon as I work out a few details and know what is feasible.
As promised, I sent her an email about a week ago, asking if she has time for lunch, and does she want to talk about these issues again?
When she responded today, asking me set up an interview with my secretary. Then, a second later, another email arrives from this person, but it's not for me, it's an email she meant to send to her secretary, saying "Please make an appointment with Bunbun, but it's not a lunch appointment. I barely know her, and she's looking for a job."
I don't know how to take this. Obviously, she's willing to make time to meet me in person, and is uncomfortable with lunch. However, I'm concerned that this person might be trying to give me the brush off.
Weird, no? I'd appreciate any insight anyone has as to a) whether I'm overreacting and b) how to go about actually setting up this appointment, or even if I should. The secretary didn't get the email, and I pretty much have to confront them with thier silliness if I want the interview.
Thanks much!
Bunbun Mea Perplexia Culpa
Posted by mothertree (Member # 4999) on :
:snort: Sorry, that is just an amazing pickle. Maybe you can forward the email to some other person and they can return it to the person who sent it with a note of "I have no idea how this got to me, but I think it is meant for someone else."
Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :
Well, if you don't mind a little innocent manipulation that's likely to get you something to do there, respond to the missend with a super-chirpy email "just letting her know" about the accidental send, and making sure the right person got it, plus saying you'd be glad to meet with her anytime in time period X you can make.
She'll be so embarassed you're guaranteed a job .
Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
I seriously doubt she sent the second one to you on purpose. I expect it was an accident and she would be embarrassed to know it happened.
As for why she wouldn't want to have a "business lunch" with someone for a "business purpose", I have no clue. There may be some important information missing that would make this all make sense. For instance would "setting up a lunch appointment" mean to the secretary that the company is supposed to pay for your lunch and she doesn't feel that is appropriate for someone she doesn't know who is looking for a job? That is just one possibility.
I know I would feel uncomfortable bringing it up in order to appease my curiosity. Maybe if you were hired and developed a comfortable relationship you could bring it up later, but by then I doubt you would care anymore.
Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
Oooo! I like the way you think, fugu! Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
I would just call to set up the appointment with the secretary for a time other than lunch, and never mention it. Posted by Megan (Member # 5290) on :
Yeah, I think fugu just leapt into the "devilishly evil" category. Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
Yep, just make an appointment and never mention it.
I had this happen when I was looking for my first job in consulting. I sent a resume out to a company that did exactly the kind of work for Orlando that I'd been doing for New York City. I expected some of the "we don't care how you did it up North" stuff, but not what really happened.
I got my resume back with a nice rejection letter from one company. Sadly, they forgot to take the post-its off of my resume. Various engineers had passed it around and made typical engineer-type jokes about a person without an engineering degree. Things like "with a degree in Psychology, he could probably get a job in a toll booth."
Nice. I let the owner of the company know in that case. Not that I would ever go work there, but that I was concerned that they could easily be sued by someone who had less of a sense of humor than I do.
He bought me lunch. Didn't give me a job, but that's okay. Companies run by engineers for engineers aren't really all that open to anyone else. I'd've been far too easy to fire during downturns in a place like that. And I could never be allowed to supervise engineers.
Sheesh.
Posted by bunbun (Member # 6814) on :
Woo! Thanks, all!
I think I'll just make the appointment, but I am sorely tempted to go the super-chirpy route.
Bob, I love the sticky story. Thanks for letting me know I'm not alone and there's always light at the end of the career tunnel.
Eve
[ March 24, 2005, 06:50 PM: Message edited by: bunbun ]
Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :
For someone with the name bunbun, you need to work on enacting your evil urges.
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
Someone once suggested she was really a kiki.
It didn't go over too well, even though she likes shiny things.
Posted by Katarain (Member # 6659) on :
Wow... there are sluggy fans here. thought I was the only one..
although the current storyline leaves much to be desired.
Oh, for the old days...
-Katarain
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
I dunno. I kind of like the current storyline. It's just suffering due to Pete's excruciating inability to meet deadlines.
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
I like the current storyline, too. I'm hoping the aliens stick around for a while. They can try to probe the Mark whatever, if Riff ever gets it back.
But yes, it needs to pick up the pace, even though these are my favorite filler since the lego strips.
Oh, and adam, that sucks. But at least you got the job.
[ March 25, 2005, 10:24 AM: Message edited by: Dagonee ]
Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :
Deserves to be embarassed? No, but its a minor embarassment, it may help her double check in the future, it'd improve bunbun's chances of a position, and done right it can also be a bonding moment they can both laugh at in the future.
Posted by Book (Member # 5500) on :
Show up to her house rending your clothes and weeping. I have yet to find a social issue that this response doesn't fix.
Posted by Katarain (Member # 6659) on :
I'm having trouble following the current storyline.. I don't like when he does complicated drawings. It's hard to make out what the pictures are.. I miss the old style where they all lived at home and Riff made things and had to check his notes. It was better.
I'm just going to wait until this storyline is over and then read it in the archives so I can make better sense of it all together. Then hopefully it'll get better after that.
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