Is this unprofessional?

[AMCRambler]

A friend of mine applied for a job at a local diner waiting tables. They had her come in and for two hours shadow/assist one of their current waiters as they worked as a sort of try out.

A couple of days later she got a text message informing her she didn't get the job. A text message? Really? They couldn't' even be bothered to call her. My reaction to that was she is better off not working there if that is how they operate. Pretty pathetic.

 

[Jumpem]

Both the text message, and "try out" are unprofessional.

 

[MomentsofSanity]

A friend of mine applied for a job at a local diner waiting tables. They had her come in and for two hours shadow/assist one of their current waiters as they worked as a sort of try out.

A couple of days later she got a text message informing her she didn't get the job. A text message? Really? They couldn't' even be bothered to call her. My reaction to that was she is better off not working there if that is how they operate. Pretty pathetic.

Poor form on the business owner for sure there.

 

[Leros]

I don't think I'd consider a diner an environment for professionals, but that is poor form.

 

[lxskllr]

I don't think the tryout is entirely unreasonable, but they should have at least given her lunch for the effort. The text message rejection was entirely unprofessional, but as Leros noted, a diner isn't really a professional setting. That's one of those jobs where you get what you get.

 

[AMCRambler]

Both the text message, and "try out" are unprofessional.

The try out is ok IMO. She's never waited tables before and they don't know her at all, so I can understand them wanting to see how personable she is.

The text message is pretty lame. I could see an email, but a text message sais to me they Don't even appreciate her coming in and trying out. I won't be eating there ever again, not that they'll notice. I used to go there a couple times a year though so they won't get any more of my money.

 

[Mixolydian]

Very unprofessional, in my book.

 

[Dr. Zaus]

Depends on how stupid your friend is. Stupid people deserve significantly less respect than you or I. It is known khaleesi.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I don't think I'd consider a diner an environment for professionals, but that is poor form.

You'd be wrong but, it is very poor management.

 

[AMCRambler]

Depends on how stupid your friend is. Stupid people deserve significantly less respect than you or I. It is known khaleesi.

Lol.

Well she has a four year degree, just having trouble finding work in her field. Trying to get a job to make ends meet while she job hunts. So I would say not very stupid.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Lol.

Well she has a four year degree, just having trouble finding work in her field. Trying to get a job to make ends meet while she job hunts. So I would say not very stupid.

Everyone thinks they can wait tables because so many have done it...poorly. This only serves to further the disdain many have for food service. It takes a specific skill set to do it well and not everyone has it. You can train people to be adequate but, you can't train them to be good or great. Once again, having the skill set has nothing to do with intelligence or lack of it.

 

[TallBill]

Both the text message, and "try out" are unprofessional.

The tryout is common in the industry. They text message was unprofessional but nothing worth crying over.

 

[TheSiege]

I don't think the text message is unprofessional. I get emails telling me I didn't get the job, why not a text?

 

[lxskllr]

I don't think the text message is unprofessional. I get emails telling me I didn't get the job, why not a text?

we dont want u dont call bak lol

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I don't think the text message is unprofessional. I get emails telling me I didn't get the job, why not a text?

It is unfortunate that there are so many badly run companies that receiving a "thanks but no thanks" email counts as a reasonable response from a company these days. Particularly in the hospitality field where I've spent most of my working life. Worse, is the copying of these bad corporate policies by small business and, mom and pops.

 

[pontifex]

need more info? If she told them to text her with the info, then this is a non-issue.

 

[purbeast0]

i think the text is pretty unprofessional but who gives a shit. either way she didn't get the job.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

i think the text is pretty unprofessional but who gives a shit. either way she didn't get the job.

The diner also lost a potential customer.

 

[Proprioceptive]

The tryout is far from unprofessional. This is a norm in the business. We do this all the time with prospective employees. We have them show up on a Friday night to experience a busy atmosphere, see how the employees interact, get to know some people, and generally decide for themselves if this is a place they'd like to work. The text message, however, is pretty tacky. We handle all communication with our potential employees through e-mail unless we want to hire them, then we'll give them a call. All applications are done online, communication is therefore through e-mail (unless THEY call us). It cuts down on a lot of wasted time.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

The tryout is far from unprofessional. This is a norm in the business. We do this all the time with prospective employees. We have them show up on a Friday night to experience a busy atmosphere, see how the employees interact, get to know some people, and generally decide for themselves if this is a place they'd like to work. The text message, however, is pretty tacky. We handle all communication with our potential employees through e-mail unless we want to hire them, then we'll give them a call. All applications are done online, communication is therefore through e-mail (unless THEY call us). It cuts down on a lot of wasted time.

Unless the system is automated (another bad corporate innovation) it really doesn't save you any time. In terms of wasting time, it depends on your definition of customer service. Mine includes employees and potential employees.

 

[Proprioceptive]

Unless the system is automated (another bad corporate innovation) it really doesn't save you any time. In terms of wasting time, it depends on your definition of customer service. Mine includes employees and potential employees.

You would be amazed how many dead beat kids apply with us looking for an easy job... and call us DURING lunch or dinner rushes. It does waste time. We don't always have time to deal with you when we're really busy. If the potential employee doesn't understand this, they don't understand the restaurant business or have any common sense, therefore we'd cut 'em out of the running anyways.

 

[aaksheytalwar]

It is unprofessional

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

You would be amazed how many dead beat kids apply with us looking for an easy job... and call us DURING lunch or dinner rushes. It does waste time. We don't always have time to deal with you when we're really busy. If the potential employee doesn't understand this, they don't understand the restaurant business or have any common sense, therefore we'd cut 'em out of the running anyways.

I understand, I just have the cashier tell them to come in during specific hours. The thing about what many consider to be entry level jobs (or, any job for that matter) is that many of those who apply have not learned how to work. I do my best to give those who are reasonably polite and able to control their urges to give me their opinions, the benefit of the doubt.

 

[Doppel]

Yes it's lame.

 

[Pr0d1gy]

Was this her first foray into the "private sector"? This is how it is done these days, and they usually try not to pay you for the time of yours they wasted.