Correct Interviewing Technique ?

**SRL** · 09-25-2007, 09:50 PM

To make a long story short, the store where I am working is being sold and I am in the process of looking for another job. I submitted a resume ( to an O.D.) and have been corresponding with him by e-mail. Today, he and his wife show up in the store where I am working, and proceeds to grill my boss about my ability. He then introduces himself and tells my boss that we have been exploring the possibility of employment. In all fairness, I had not requested confidentiality. Fortunately, my boss and I have a good working relationship and it caused no problem.

Has anyone experienced anything similar? Seems rather unethical to me just the same.

Thanks

**Johns** · 09-25-2007, 09:55 PM

It might seem a little strange, but all the parties involved are aware of the store closing, and that you're looking for another job, so I don't see it as a big deal.

I almost alway send someone to the prospective employee's place of employment, if possible, for an adjustment, or just to ask some basic industry questions to see how they answer. I'd never introduce myself to anyone there, nor embarrass someone by asking questions about them while they're there.

Did you put your present boss down as a reference? If so, he's fair game.

**rbaker** · 09-25-2007, 09:58 PM

You are fortunate to have discovered that your prospective employer is a snake before you went to work for him.

**Johns** · 09-25-2007, 10:05 PM

Originally Posted by rbaker

You are fortunate to have discovered that your prospective employer is a snake before you went to work for him.

That's a great point. He did you a huge favor!

**Cindy K** · 09-25-2007, 10:16 PM

I can think of several better approaches this prospective employer could have used to check your references, including the standard phone call to the current employer and/or sending someone in the industry into your current business to check you out. Nah, I'd say that wasn't fair nor correct interviewing technique.

Curious, when you went for your interview with OD, did you perform some interviewing techniques on him to determine HIS worthiness of your abilities?

**SRL** · 09-25-2007, 10:16 PM

Snake was my impression also. I have hired (and yes, stolen) many people in the past, but never put their present employer on the spot like that. It just seemed a bit weird to me. As stated, gives me serious pause if an offer was forthcoming.
Thanks. Just wanted someone else's take on it.

**SRL** · 09-25-2007, 10:21 PM

I never had met him, or even talked to him on the phone. All correspondence was by email. We hadn't even gotten to the references portion of the process.

And, no, I hadn't put my current employer as a reference. If so, he would, and did give me a glowing report.

This guy drove 75 miles each way to do this. He didn't ask any questions, he and his wife just said they wanted to look around and avoided all contact.

**harry888** · 09-25-2007, 10:48 PM

SRL,

OD's are quirky. I know, I am one.

I've also been burned hiring the wrong people who put on their resume/CV how they were the optical office manager and were responsible for everything. After hiring (and a great interview) I find they can't do a PD and only answered the phone and made appointments. And weren't given more responsibility for a good reason.

The guy wanted to see you in your natural environment, much better/accurate than a resume.

I like Johns idea better of sending someone in for an adjustment.

Harry

**SRL** · 09-25-2007, 11:12 PM

I agree, and have used the same technique myself. If he had come in and inquired about some service, adjustment, nose pads,even tighten and cleaning, to start some type of dialogue, that would have been fine. As it happened, we weren't busy at the time and I was in the back entering frames in the computer. (my boss can't use a computer-81 years old- so he approached them to see if he could help them and was told 'no, we're just looking'. Hard to evaluate someone who isn't working the floor at that timeand requiring no assistance.

Anyway, seems moot now. I know that his approach and follow through left me with an odd feeling.

**TLG** · 09-25-2007, 11:46 PM

I wonder what interesting approach he'll use when he wants to get rid of you

Should be plenty of other options out there - this one smells fishy to me.

**CuriousCat** · 09-26-2007, 05:07 AM

Yeah, I'd run like the wind!

**cocoisland58** · 09-26-2007, 06:04 AM

Originally Posted by SRL

I know that his approach and follow through left me with an odd feeling.

Odd feelings are not to be ignored.

**OptiChick21** · 09-27-2007, 07:32 AM

Originally Posted by SRL

I have hired (and yes, stolen) many people in the past, but never put their present employer on the spot like that.

I wish I was just so darned good and Opticians were so in demand here that people wanted to "steal" me! LoL. I guess Indiana isnt in an Optician shortage like California seems...

I am feeling a bit of the old curiousity bug biting me these days as I've been at my job 4 years now, love the people (mostly) but dont feel adequately appreciated. But with no outside knowledge of other people in nearby areas doing the same job and what their compensation is, I cannot demand any different!

Does anyone know of ways to find this info out, even anonymously??

I have a review coming up in a few weeks, so trying to do my homework.

I know some of you will answer, "Well if you dont like it, then leave." But that's not the answer I'm looking for.

**For-Life** · 09-27-2007, 07:42 AM

Could be a definite liability problem there.

Legally here, you are supposed to ask permission to talk to references. Meaning, they cannot talk to your references without your permission. Additionally, there is just a legal precidence waiting out there for not hiring someone for stuff you heard from an outside source.

We almost got in trouble here. We were hiring a new CAO (Chief Administrative Officer). They did a google search on the guy, and found he was a wife beater. Now the interview never took place, but if he found out that we knew, we interviewed him and he did not get the job or refused to interview him, he could sue us.

**chip anderson** · 09-27-2007, 09:25 AM

Aren't all optical CAO's wife beaters? As long as it didn't interfer with his on the job performance? Might indicate he would run the company with a strong hand.
He might have been in Texas where wife beating is legal as long as the stick used is no larger in diameter than your thumb.
It could have been worse, he could have been a cannibal.
I once met an optician that would put his children to sleep by putting them in an un-lit gas oven until they passed out. By all other reports he was an excellent optician.
Also saw a report of one in Houston that made Halloween Candy with glass in it. By all reports he was an excellent optician and this was just his way of getting rid of old optical scrap. They might no have caught him if he had used ordinary glass.

:cheers:

Nice Guys don't win ball games.

**For-Life** · 09-27-2007, 09:41 AM

Well by CAO, I meant the administrative officier for running a municipality. In Canada, our mayor does not have the same powers as in the US. So the CAO has more.

**jherman** · 09-27-2007, 10:03 AM

and the last thing you'd want to do is relocate there.

**Cindy K** · 09-27-2007, 10:13 AM

Originally Posted by OptiChick21

I am feeling a bit of the old curiousity bug biting me these days as I've been at my job 4 years now, love the people (mostly) but dont feel adequately appreciated. But with no outside knowledge of other people in nearby areas doing the same job and what their compensation is, I cannot demand any different!

Does anyone know of ways to find this info out, even anonymously??

I have a review coming up in a few weeks, so trying to do my homework.

Do you have a state opticians' association? They may be able to shed some light on your queries. I don't know much about the Opticians Association of America but you could talk to them also. Here in Canada the OAC is a wealth of information, as are the provincial associations.

**optical24/7** · 09-27-2007, 10:16 AM

Yea, come on down all you opticians. I got a big thumb and a stick to match. Plus I got a handfull of glass PGX swarf and a Betty Crocker Cook Book...Holloween's just around the corner....

:D:D:D:drop::shiner:

**optigrrl** · 09-27-2007, 09:18 PM

Originally Posted by chip anderson

Aren't all optical CAO's wife beaters? As long as it didn't interfer with his on the job performance? Might indicate he would run the company with a strong hand.
He might have been in Texas where wife beating is legal as long as the stick used is no larger in diameter than your thumb.
It could have been worse, he could have been a cannibal.
I once met an optician that would put his children to sleep by putting them in an un-lit gas oven until they passed out. By all other reports he was an excellent optician.
Also saw a report of one in Houston that made Halloween Candy with glass in it. By all reports he was an excellent optician and this was just his way of getting rid of old optical scrap. They might no have caught him if he had used ordinary glass.

:cheers:

.

I hope you're making this all up - too much bad in the world already.

**optigrrl** · 09-27-2007, 09:19 PM

Originally Posted by SRL

I agree, and have used the same technique myself. If he had come in and inquired about some service, adjustment, nose pads,even tighten and cleaning, to start some type of dialogue, that would have been fine. As it happened, we weren't busy at the time and I was in the back entering frames in the computer. (my boss can't use a computer-81 years old- so he approached them to see if he could help them and was told 'no, we're just looking'. Hard to evaluate someone who isn't working the floor at that timeand requiring no assistance.

Anyway, seems moot now. I know that his approach and follow through left me with an odd feeling.

Ask for $7000 more a year for hazard pay.

**Cindy K** · 09-27-2007, 09:30 PM

Originally Posted by optigrrl

Ask for $7000 more a year for hazard pay.

But what at what potential cost? Sanity? Self esteem? Respect?

Oh God, I'm soooooo lucky!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

**optigrrl** · 09-27-2007, 09:34 PM

Originally Posted by Cindy K

But what at what potential cost? Sanity? Self esteem? Respect?

Oh God, I'm soooooo lucky!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know! I'm so over working for the wrong kinda guy! (or gal) I truly love my job now!

**HarryChiling** · 09-27-2007, 09:59 PM

Originally Posted by OptiChick21

I wish I was just so darned good and Opticians were so in demand here that people wanted to "steal" me! LoL. I guess Indiana isnt in an Optician shortage like California seems...

I am feeling a bit of the old curiousity bug biting me these days as I've been at my job 4 years now, love the people (mostly) but dont feel adequately appreciated. But with no outside knowledge of other people in nearby areas doing the same job and what their compensation is, I cannot demand any different!

Does anyone know of ways to find this info out, even anonymously??

I have a review coming up in a few weeks, so trying to do my homework.

I know some of you will answer, "Well if you dont like it, then leave." But that's not the answer I'm looking for.

Your state association might have that info or could get you in touchwith an optician in your area.

**Cindy K** · 09-27-2007, 11:05 PM

Originally Posted by Cindy K

Do you have a state opticians' association? They may be able to shed some light on your queries. I don't know much about the Opticians Association of America but you could talk to them also. Here in Canada the OAC is a wealth of information, as are the provincial associations.

Originally Posted by HarryChiling

Your state association might have that info or could get you in touchwith an optician in your area.

Huh.

Great minds think alike.
:bbg::bbg::bbg: