Does Bait & Switch Exist in Job Interviews?

January 29, 2010

Well probably not technically but I think it does anyway?

I recently went on a part-time job interview to make a little more income to supplement what I am making at home. Now I have specific requirements for work because we are a night family. My husband has worked nights 4pm-4 or 6am in the morning for 27 years. I spent our daughters early years being the day parent while hubby was a part-time husband and father on weekends only. We literally never saw him Monday-Friday unless he had a day off. So I look for jobs that will fit my abilities and my life. I do not apply for jobs hoping they change the hours to meet what I want.

Okay, so now at this point in my life I am NOT willing to sacrifice my couple of hours a day with my hubby unless we are so down and out broke I have to. If I have a choice I will work the hours that gives me work-life balance.

So I sent in my resume and got an interview. The hours were very specific in the ad 4:30pm-9pm Mon-Thurs & Friday 10am-2pm. Okay, this was workable for me as I get to see hubby 2 hours a day 2pm-4pm Monday-Friday and missing him on 1 day a week was workable because I still get to see him on weekends.

Well I get to the interview and we are talking then she says “oh I have changed the hours for the position” then proceeds to tell me the new hours and asks, “is that okay”. I politely tell her no that it is not workable and explain why. I tell her at this point in my life I wish to spend time with my husband and that I applied because the hours would work perfect for my situation and I was qualified.

She continues to talk about the position then also informs me she has also added in a “mandatory” Saturday and again asks, “is that okay”. She must not have heard me the first time. We are being polite and friendly but at this point I make it MORE clear that Saturdays are NOT okay and again explain why.

Well then a little more chit chat to be courteous and I find out that when “she” was married she was the opposite and worked as much as she could because she didn’t like being with her husband and that she loves her job. She also talks a little more about how she would want a person as dedicated as her and that on Monday mornings if she called and asked the person to come in early they would. WHAT! This little part-time job (now full-time) only pays $8.50 an hour and commissions and you want someone to basically be at your beck and call. Not this girl. I told her there was a time in my life I probably would have agreed to such changes but not anymore. My marriage and family means too much to me. And funny then she mentions she wishes she could find a hubby she wanted to spend time with. Hello! Not if you are married to your job, good luck with that one.

So why do I think this is a bait and switch type interview. Because the interview appointment was made on Wendsday evening and my interview was on Thursday at 1pm. She should have told me up front that the hours had changed majorly and that it was no longer part-time and it now had mandatory Saturdays. I would then have declined the interview. She wasted my time and hers. She needs to find someone who doesn’t have a life and they are happy to make her and the job their life.

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Tagged as: bait and switch, economy, jobs, money, work life balance

5th wheel campers

This totally happens! all the time. I think that they use this as a test to see who is really "committed" - there's so much pressure to find "committed employees" etc. and (in their defence) many people make a lot of claims on their interview. In their perspective, they're probably trying to see who "really" wants the job - doesn't make it right, however a good way to screen people!

- Bill M

The Fly

Bill, yes I think you are right. Well she learned real quick that I was NOT committed. Just because she makes the job her life does not mean I am willing to as I have a life :) She apparently did not have much of a personal life. Very sad actually.

Ohhhh, just noticed your site, I am headed there now. We will be upgrading to a 5th wheel as soon as funds allow :) Sweet!

Joseph Smith

That sounds like a frustrating experience. I think there's often a bait-and-switch in another way too. Often times, the experience they describe during the recruiting process can be dramatically different than the actual day-to-day experience.
.-= Joseph Smith´s last undefined ..Response cached until Sat 6 @ 22:45 GMT (Refreshes in 23.88 Hours) =-.

The Fly

Funny you mention that as my daughter who is getting ready to graduate college has been looking into companies, that are attending some recruiting fair, as she is able to set up interviews with the companies before even getting to the fair.

Anyway, she found a company that sounded fabulous with great pay, location was what she wanted and it was the area of interest she was looking for. That said, she did a google search and found "9 pages" yes I said 9 pages of complaints about this company and they all where similar and stated their recruiting process was in fact a "Dog & Pony Show" to pull the wool over the prospects eyes because what they say about the positions is utterly a lie and their employees there are used and abuse and MISERABLE and many have gotten divorced because of the demands from this place.

I'm glad she found it and I agreed with her she should skip them if her upcoming marriage and possible family meant anything to her.

Stacie

That interview sounds like it was a huge waste of time. I have to agree with you she should have told you the change of hours before you went.

The Fly

Yes it was. Made me remember why I don't like working for others :(

Asburn Homes

It is really a pain when companies misrepresent the job description. This is true whether they alter the nature of the work, the hours or the benefits. By not being upfront the company does not give you all the required information to determine if going to the interview is worth your investment of time and transportation cost.
.-= Asburn Homes´s last blog ..Village At Waxpool, Community Profile =-.

The Fly

You are so right! And oh yeah didn't mention the transportation cost considering I live out in the country and drive a F350 Dually that only gets 10 miles to the gallon (we have to have this vehicle to pull our big camper soon to be 5th wheel) the trip actually cost me $14.03 to be exact! I was not a happy camper to say the least.

Thanks for visiting my little piece of the internet world ;)