Received Wednesday, July 23, 2008 - Perspective & Opinion
I recently browsed through craigslist and responded to an ad that caught my eye. I talked on the phone for a great length of time about the position and was able to get an interview. The "position" was babysitting on an as needed basis, not consisent hours. I had a weird feeling about the family, and something told me not to interview with this family. Well, on the day of the interview, I had an emergency and cancelled the interview. When I called the mother to notify her to cancel, she tells me that I am unprofessional and obnoxious in not so many words, and that she wasn't interested in me babysitting because I cancelled the interview. Ok, so if I hadn't shown up that would be unprofessional, right? Things do happen, and had I been in a serious car accident, would that be unprofessional of me to call and cancel for that reason? The mother mentioned that she used to nanny in college, and I figured that if anyone would be understanding, it would be her. While I was talking to her, we got disconnected. What bothers me is that she was rather rude, and what worries me is that she may see my future ads on CL and write her own about me, damaging my credibility and professional reputation. Nannies and parents, any advice?
Holy crap- can you imagine calling in sick with the flu to this woman? Honestly, don't worry about it. You can flag her down if she says anything but the truth is that she does not know you, she hasn't interviewed you, and she has nothing on you. Continue your search as usual and don't stress too much.
ReplyDeleteAgreed, don't be troubled by this. You had every right to cancel the interview. For whatever reason. This woman sounds crazy.
ReplyDeleteI was fired from a position because I had the audacity to get into a car accident (Not my fault, a guy ran a red light and broadsided me, I was lucky to survive) on the way to the job that morning and end up in the ER!
ReplyDeleteI was checking my messages that evening and found several nasty ones from the SAH mom, berating me for being so unprofessional. I called to explain that I was in the hospital and she told me that I should have had my husband or family member call her earlier! I had to have a friend of mine who is an attorney write her a threatening letter when she began dragging my name through the mud among her friends and peers in the community.
Don't sweat it. If you suspect she is slandering you professionally, that is saying false things that hinder your ability to earn a living, she is liable for monetary damages. Good luck!
I wouldn't worry too much about it. She'll probably cool off and realize that she overreacted. If this woman really does hold a grudge against you and goes so far as writing mean things about you on craigslist, then she has some serious issues. Besides, what reasonable person is really going to listen to a lunatic going on about how you **gasp** canceled an interview? Seriously, continue with your job search and don't give this lady a second thought.
ReplyDeleteIt's not like you have to put personal info, i.e., your name, on Craigslist. My point being, is that, out of all the nannies who post daily on CL, unless you put personal identifying info on there, there's no need to be flustered.
ReplyDeletebecause how is she really to know which one you are. ( so much for finishing a thought)
ReplyDeleteTrue - there is no way she would know it was you by your Craigslist posting. I wouldn't worry about it too much, and I know it's hard, but try not to take it personal. The thing about Craigslist is, people are really flakey. It doesn’t sound like this is the case with you, but she might have had several people cancel on her or not show up and she took it out on you.
ReplyDeleteFor all the posters telling this OP that she can't possibly differentiate the posters on Craigslist, have you considered that this woman has HER personal info.
ReplyDeleteShe was going to be interviewed so they definitely exchanges names among other things, therefore this woman could use her name.
Additionally, based on other info such as the type of position you're seeking, the general area where you live etc, it is easy to figure out which nanny sounds familiar.
The OP may have been very thorough in her AD, and now has no room to wiggle.
OP here. I don't understand how this woman could use my name if she only knew my first name. She didn't have my resume or any other personal info, only my cell phone number.
ReplyDeleteCraig's List has gotten me some great baby-sitting gigs - and some really good stories to tell at cocktail parties too! Last week I canceled a sitting job for Friday on MONDAY and the woman called me the c word. She screamed at me until I hung up - and then had the audacity to call me on Saturday "to see how I was feeling". I don't think you have anything to worry about and hope you find a nice family to work for soon!
ReplyDeleteCL, oh the jobs I have gotten from there. Most of them great, but one was a nightmare. I went to an interview for weekend babysitting, just part time, a few times a month. I told the mother I could only come over for about a half hour because I had a prior appt. She said that was fine but still wanted to meet me anyways. I go there and she didn't even remember I was supposed to be there. Then after 10 mins she asks if I could stay for 2 hours so that she can get her house in order. I firmly told her no, that she knew I had a prior appt and that we could schedule time another day. then we sat down and talked aobut a few days she would need me. Everytime she needed me I was already busy and boy was she not happy. Here I am, now she wants me to be her B,. I agreed to a few days and then when the first one came up I called her to confirm. I called her 2 times in fact, and she never answered, so I didn't show up. Oh well, can't win them all.
ReplyDeleteshe won't be able to badmouth you on craigslist unless you reveal who you are in your ads. just wait a little while until she is done with her searches, then post your ads. she can't go on craigslist every day for the rest of her life. also, you can't be the only one she is upset with. she probably blew up and acted like an ass because many people got a weird feeling from her, like you, and canceled or didn't show up to the interview. besides, she is an idiot and be glad you knew before you got involved with her.
ReplyDeleteI've never tried CL, sounds like a GREAT place to get jobs..haha.
ReplyDeleteOP don't worry about this woman. She obviously isn't right in the head if she gets pissed off at you because of an emergency. If she says anything to any interviewer you might have, just tell the interviewer what happened.
I broke my ankle once and was in the ER when I called my boss to let her know I wasn't going to be able to watch the baby that afternoon..she then asked me if I could just come over when I got home from the hospital. Sure, let me get right on that after they set my ankle straight! Needless to say I didn't go.
Paranaoia self destroya...
ReplyDeleteRelax. It will be okay!