kuntrygurl78
05-22-2008, 08:43 PM
I saw in the paper for a position for a secretary/clerk position a few days ago. The ad was vauge. It just had a PO Box and a very brief description of the job. It was here in my little town, I thought I would send my resume for the heck of it.
Well a lady from the office called me on Thursday. She asked me a few questions that made me uncomfortable (not in this order):
1. How old are you?
2. Are you married?
3. Do you have any kids?
4. Do you smoke?
5. Are you in good health?
I answered numbers 2,3,4. When she asked my age I told her that legally to protect both of us, I would not answer the question. I just told her I was old enough. With number 5 I just told her I was healthy, but like most people I could stand to lose a few.
She told me a little bit about the position which was to run the front desk at a small doctors office. I thought that would be a great job. The pay wasnt great and they offered no benifits. (I dont need them anyways). The job was also only about 30 hours a week. I wasnt real sure about it because I would make in one month what I made in two weeks with my last job. But, I figured what the heck and went ahead and scheduled the interview for a few hours later.
When I met the lady and her husband (the Dr) one of the first questions they asked me was wether or not I had kids. I told them that I would be happy to answer any questions about my past experience in the workplace, but that I would not answer any personal questions. They both just kind of looked at each other. They had nothing to ask. They lady just glanced down at my resume and said we know about your work; its in your resume.
I decided to ask them a question. I asked them why the person that was in the position before, had left. They said she moved out of state. Ok, no biggie I thought.
I had talked to hubby even before I went to the interview. He has a degree in restaurant management, and did lots of hiring and firing when he was a restaurant manager. He knows what you can and cannot ask at an interview. When I told him of the questions I had been asked, he told me straight up that they cannot ask those qustions. I had kinda figured that.
We kinda started chit chatting about the town. I knew from their accent that they werent from IL for sure and may not have been from US originally. No big deal I thought. I could care less about that. I was raised in the boonies, so Im fascinated by people of other cultures. One of the reasons I went to the interview was to hopefully educate them on interviewing ethics and law. They seemed not to care, and were really put off that I wouldnt answer personal questions.
They told me that the lady who had previously worked there before me was very personal with them, and they became friends. I told her that if I worked for them and felt comfortable, I might share stories of growing up. I told them that I became such good friends with someone at my last job, that she married me.
Then they took me over to the window and told me that the lady who had been there before me had come that day to plant a bush beside their building. WRONG! No fresh dirt. It hadnt rained in a few days, and all the dirt was dry and hadnt been moved. Also, you can just tell if something has been recently planted. AND didnt they say in the interview that the lady had moved out of state? I was very cordial and said that because the pay was so low, they didnt offer benifits, or vacation pay, that this was not the job for me.
I also told them that they needed to be careful about what they asked any other potential employees. The lady said that she asked my age because she wanted to know if I was mature and responsible. I told her of a few examples of how age doesnt show maturity. I also told her why she cant ask if someone has kids or not. I told her how many women were discriminated against because of having kids.
My heart is telling me that I should report these people. Im not sure who to call. I was thinking of calling my dentist in the morning. The girl that runs the office is my age and I love her to death. Plus the dentist is very sweet and kind. They are wonderful. They always take a moment or two of each apt to ask how things are going. They even begged me to bring in my wedding pics after I got married. I am figuring I can tell them the story without using any names, and get advice if I should do something or not. And if I do, how do I do it. My heart is telling me to do something.
I was in and out of the interview in 15 minutes. I was disgusted and worried at the same time. Ive been thinking about it all night. I tried going to bed about an hour ago, and couldnt get to sleep. Thats why Im here posting. I think this is God's way of having me hand it to him. He knows that you are my angels and will help guide me. :angel:
I know this is long. Thanks for reading it! Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Now that I have this all out, I think Im going to try to go to bed now.
Well a lady from the office called me on Thursday. She asked me a few questions that made me uncomfortable (not in this order):
1. How old are you?
2. Are you married?
3. Do you have any kids?
4. Do you smoke?
5. Are you in good health?
I answered numbers 2,3,4. When she asked my age I told her that legally to protect both of us, I would not answer the question. I just told her I was old enough. With number 5 I just told her I was healthy, but like most people I could stand to lose a few.
She told me a little bit about the position which was to run the front desk at a small doctors office. I thought that would be a great job. The pay wasnt great and they offered no benifits. (I dont need them anyways). The job was also only about 30 hours a week. I wasnt real sure about it because I would make in one month what I made in two weeks with my last job. But, I figured what the heck and went ahead and scheduled the interview for a few hours later.
When I met the lady and her husband (the Dr) one of the first questions they asked me was wether or not I had kids. I told them that I would be happy to answer any questions about my past experience in the workplace, but that I would not answer any personal questions. They both just kind of looked at each other. They had nothing to ask. They lady just glanced down at my resume and said we know about your work; its in your resume.
I decided to ask them a question. I asked them why the person that was in the position before, had left. They said she moved out of state. Ok, no biggie I thought.
I had talked to hubby even before I went to the interview. He has a degree in restaurant management, and did lots of hiring and firing when he was a restaurant manager. He knows what you can and cannot ask at an interview. When I told him of the questions I had been asked, he told me straight up that they cannot ask those qustions. I had kinda figured that.
We kinda started chit chatting about the town. I knew from their accent that they werent from IL for sure and may not have been from US originally. No big deal I thought. I could care less about that. I was raised in the boonies, so Im fascinated by people of other cultures. One of the reasons I went to the interview was to hopefully educate them on interviewing ethics and law. They seemed not to care, and were really put off that I wouldnt answer personal questions.
They told me that the lady who had previously worked there before me was very personal with them, and they became friends. I told her that if I worked for them and felt comfortable, I might share stories of growing up. I told them that I became such good friends with someone at my last job, that she married me.
Then they took me over to the window and told me that the lady who had been there before me had come that day to plant a bush beside their building. WRONG! No fresh dirt. It hadnt rained in a few days, and all the dirt was dry and hadnt been moved. Also, you can just tell if something has been recently planted. AND didnt they say in the interview that the lady had moved out of state? I was very cordial and said that because the pay was so low, they didnt offer benifits, or vacation pay, that this was not the job for me.
I also told them that they needed to be careful about what they asked any other potential employees. The lady said that she asked my age because she wanted to know if I was mature and responsible. I told her of a few examples of how age doesnt show maturity. I also told her why she cant ask if someone has kids or not. I told her how many women were discriminated against because of having kids.
My heart is telling me that I should report these people. Im not sure who to call. I was thinking of calling my dentist in the morning. The girl that runs the office is my age and I love her to death. Plus the dentist is very sweet and kind. They are wonderful. They always take a moment or two of each apt to ask how things are going. They even begged me to bring in my wedding pics after I got married. I am figuring I can tell them the story without using any names, and get advice if I should do something or not. And if I do, how do I do it. My heart is telling me to do something.
I was in and out of the interview in 15 minutes. I was disgusted and worried at the same time. Ive been thinking about it all night. I tried going to bed about an hour ago, and couldnt get to sleep. Thats why Im here posting. I think this is God's way of having me hand it to him. He knows that you are my angels and will help guide me. :angel:
I know this is long. Thanks for reading it! Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Now that I have this all out, I think Im going to try to go to bed now.