I am tempted to say I work as a counsellor. Well I don't, but the business of finding work for people can see me wearing many different 'hats', including that of Counsellor, Mum, Best Friend, Jester, Judge and sometimes even Slave (if slaves wore hats). Don't get me wrong, being in a position where I am able to help people is the main reason I do what I do. And if I get the odd box of chocolates into the bargain, all the better. Now and again, though, someone comes along who just ends up taking up more airtime than they really should. Oh, there's always one.
Let's face it, looking for a job basically means putting yourself out there to be accepted or rejected (for whatever reason). Having been closely involved in facilitating this process has taught me just how vulnerable, arrogant, brilliant, conniving or downright stupid people can be in their merry search for work. Nothing makes me happier than telling someone they have just been offerred the job of their dreams, especially if I helped them from the start. Equally, nothing makes me feel worse than having to tell someone they didn't get the job they had their heart set on because they were too nervous/negative/had an inappropriate piercing at interview. But nothing makes me hopping-madder than someone who is pushy, aggressive and won't take no for an answer. I shall call him Mr. Creepy.
Mr. Creepy came in to see me a few months ago, with an out-of-date passport and no working visa on him. His CV was so-so but I thought he would be okay so long as he could show his eligibility to work in the country. Conscientiously he brought his documents in the next day and all was well. Due to circumstances beyond my control there was nothing I was working on to suit him, therefore I wasn't in touch for a while. He called me a couple of times and I told him this. I was then walking through the bus station after work one day and he appeared, as if from nowhere, apparently wanting to chat about his career (or lack of). I apologised for not being able to help him and he looked utterly crestfallen, but kept standing there as if there was something I should be able to do then and there. Not knowing what else to say, I politely said goodbye.
The next night I walked through the bus station and was sure I could see him in my peripheral vision, sitting in a seat outside. Maybe watching me, maybe not. Last week I was walking into the bus station again (does he ever get a bus or what?), I was wearing my sunnies and could just see him, walking the opposite way. He called out to me again but I kept walking this time, slightly annoyed.
Let's face it, looking for a job basically means putting yourself out there to be accepted or rejected (for whatever reason). Having been closely involved in facilitating this process has taught me just how vulnerable, arrogant, brilliant, conniving or downright stupid people can be in their merry search for work. Nothing makes me happier than telling someone they have just been offerred the job of their dreams, especially if I helped them from the start. Equally, nothing makes me feel worse than having to tell someone they didn't get the job they had their heart set on because they were too nervous/negative/had an inappropriate piercing at interview. But nothing makes me hopping-madder than someone who is pushy, aggressive and won't take no for an answer. I shall call him Mr. Creepy.
Mr. Creepy came in to see me a few months ago, with an out-of-date passport and no working visa on him. His CV was so-so but I thought he would be okay so long as he could show his eligibility to work in the country. Conscientiously he brought his documents in the next day and all was well. Due to circumstances beyond my control there was nothing I was working on to suit him, therefore I wasn't in touch for a while. He called me a couple of times and I told him this. I was then walking through the bus station after work one day and he appeared, as if from nowhere, apparently wanting to chat about his career (or lack of). I apologised for not being able to help him and he looked utterly crestfallen, but kept standing there as if there was something I should be able to do then and there. Not knowing what else to say, I politely said goodbye.
The next night I walked through the bus station and was sure I could see him in my peripheral vision, sitting in a seat outside. Maybe watching me, maybe not. Last week I was walking into the bus station again (does he ever get a bus or what?), I was wearing my sunnies and could just see him, walking the opposite way. He called out to me again but I kept walking this time, slightly annoyed.
Was I wrong not to stop? Is he wrong for wanting to stop me each time he spots me in a crowd, rather than just recognising me and thinking to call me the next day- at the office- for a professional chat? Is it a cultural thing and I'm just being really rude (he's Ghanian by the way)? At any rate I started walking into the bus station via a different door each night.
He called the office at about 5pm today and my colleague answered. She told me it was him and I told her exactly who he was. Susequently I didn't speak to him, which was probably the wrong thing to do. It just irritated me. I did my usual walk to the bus, all the while thinking that if he was calling me 20 minutes before, then surely he would be at home or something. Anyway I was getting my bus about 40 minutes later than usual- he couldn't possibly just be there at any given time?
He called the office at about 5pm today and my colleague answered. She told me it was him and I told her exactly who he was. Susequently I didn't speak to him, which was probably the wrong thing to do. It just irritated me. I did my usual walk to the bus, all the while thinking that if he was calling me 20 minutes before, then surely he would be at home or something. Anyway I was getting my bus about 40 minutes later than usual- he couldn't possibly just be there at any given time?
I had a cigarette, put it out, walked through the sliding doors and... who should be walking out through the other side but Mr. Creepy? I'm not even kidding. I grabbed my mobile and pretended to be on it. He called my name anyway, I kept walking, I got to my bus stop and waited for him to have the sheer front to come and tap me on the shoulder. He didn't. All of a sudden I wanted to run after him and tell him to leave me the fuck alone. I know the guy only wants a break but he is starting to give me the creeps.
PS- Since then I have put him forward for 2 jobs (he is actually a part-qualified accountant) so fingers crossed for him. He has stepped up the calls to the office but there have since been no public haranguings. That I can deal with. Stay tuned.
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