Posted on 10/02/2006 by ThatGrrl
Viewed: 297 times
Let me preface this with the following: This job interview was set up by a recruiter.
I went to a great job interview (I'm a medical professional) and I shadowed the doc, saw patients for two hours, etc. Following the interview he offered me the job, told me the salary, benefits, and all the goodies. I told him I was VERY interested, but that I had to discuss it with my family before I made the move (it was in a different city). I left the interview feeling great and thinking that I had found a great opportunity.
I immediately called the recruiter and told him I'd have to talk it over with my family but that again I was VERY interested. After discussing it that night with my family I sent an email to the recruiter with a few questions i.e. when would they expect me to start (I'd have to relocate and move my family), would I have an offer letter or contract to review prior to accepting the job, and was there any relocation assistance.
After not hearing from them for over a few days I called the recruiter. He hemmed and hawed and made excuses and said he couldn't get ahold of the doctor. I called back in a few days - the same. A few more days - the same. Then today I called back (side note - I have offers from all over the country it's just that this one was a tad bit closer and I enjoyed the office) and again he made excuses. He actually told me one day that he couldn't talk it was his wife's birthday and then this last call he said that he had been at the beach.
I had had enough so I called his superior who proceeded to defend him. Then I called the doctor who I had interviewed with. He proceeded to tell me that the recruiter had told him that I was NOT interested in the job and the doc had then gone on and hired someone else (and not someone from their recruiting firm either).
Needless to say I am very upset. The recruiters negligence has cost me a very high paying job and great opportunity. I have talked to an attorney and am considering suing them for damages, etc.
What do you all think? I did all I could do - followed up, reported in after the interview, asked questions and waited for answers then being proactive when the recruiter was being lazy.
That lazy fool lost the opportunity for me - what course of action would you all take? And remember I spent a lot of time pursuing this oppportunity.
POST A COMMENTavid reader(10/03/2006)
Personally, I think I would chalk it up. I would be pissed as all hell, but I don't know that it's something I would want to fight in court (or even if you could). At least you didn't move your family. I think this is a lesson learned in terms of dealing with recruiters and taking things into your own hands, which you ultimately did. I think sending a follow up e-mail/thank you note directly to the doctor would have been prudent. And I think you might get a similar response from a judge. Most recruiters I have dealt with are like used car salesmen. Once in a while I get a good one, but mostly they're just all talk.
FEAR_ARMY(10/03/2006)
I'm no lawyer, but I think you don't have a case. It would probably be your word against his, plus you said the supervisor defended him, so I think you couldn't prove that they purposely screwed you. At most you could just show they are morons who can't get stuff right. I'd chalk it up to a loss also and go find a better job. Good luck.
Netwise(10/04/2006)
I spent my entire career using head hunters. Some are good. Some are not. Lesson learned, you may have missed the job, but sounds like he majorly screwed up a good sale. give it 90 days and for amusement, see if he still works there. Ill bet not. If you have all those offers, what ya waiting on? Peace
BPFH(10/04/2006)
If the recruiter was paid entirely by the doctor or his office, you probably wouldn't have standing to sue anyway... because technically, he wasn't working for you, and hence had no (legal) obligation to you.
the confessor(10/05/2006)
If you haven't read my latest Professional Confessional blog, this is what it's all about...You ask some basic questions about the job and what your conditions of employment are and they won't even call back-and this is BEFORE you started. It sounds like a crap job that they are looking to trap someone in. The fact that the recruiter himself is seemingly aware of this is proof of that. The fact is you probably wouldn't offered a decent contract, if at all and relocation expenses, forget it! Congratulations on having the courage to ask the tough questions when it counted!
ThatGrrl(10/05/2006)
Thanks all - you're right - I am definitely going to write a letter thanking the doctor for the opportunity and to clarify for some of you - No...the doctor did not hire anyone from this agency. He went with someone he found on his own and was very disappointed that the agency lied to him. As far as a case goes, yes I have one because I have a paper trail and also it helps to be engaged to a lawyer so he's looked it all over. And I know what you all mean about chocking it (or is it chaulking it) up to a lesson learned, but it still brought me down a bit. Fortunately I do have several other opportunities and new interviews that I'm flying out for over the next two weeks. The whole experience just stings though and I wanted to share it here so others would be wary of recruiters. If you asked me what I'd do differently next time? I would have contacted the doctor myself directly (screw the recruiter) and let him know that I wanted the job. Peace...
HaveADamnNiceDay(10/24/2006)
Being engaged to a lawyer helps! However, since you're in such good demand, definitely just CHALK it up to cost of learning ^_^
SouthernProgrammer (10/03/2006)
It sounds like you did all you could. Question - Did the person the Doctor hire come through the same recruiter or recruiting agency? I wonder if a kickback was involved? At least you told the Doctor you were interested, he will make a good witness.
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