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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think if she wanted the job, she would be replying more quickly

71 replies

Thinkingthisthrough · 05/05/2016 12:05

Run a small business. Interviewed 20 people locally for a PA role and made a decision yesterday to take someone on. Sent her quite a formal email at 10am saying she had got the job at the salary she wanted, and could she send me a copy of her national insurance/identification etc and confirm when she could start (we need ASAP), so we can get things moving.

Got a reply at 10am this morning saying. "Hi how are you? I'll have a look for my passport and nat insurance number."

There are other candidates who would be just as good, but we chose her because she was bilingual. AIBU to feel that she is not that bothered? Should I contact someone else? If I'm NBU then what do I say to her if/when she eventually gets back?

OP posts:
oldlaundbooth · 05/05/2016 13:16

I'd expect a PA to check her email (especially if she's waiting on a job offer!) more often.

Her behaviour now reflects on what she'd be like as an employee : the deal isn't done yet, she's still essentially in the interview process and her response isn't professional enough.

Comiconce · 05/05/2016 13:17

I would read into her reply that she's waiting for the outcome of other interviews or is simply not very keen on the job you are offering but is trying to buy herself some time. Not impressive. I'd give her an ultimatum- reply by x to confirm acceptance and send documents required, or else you will offer the post to someone else.

MangoUnchained · 05/05/2016 13:17

oldlaundbooth 's reply is perfect, and exactly how I would write it. None of this "Hi how are you, yeah hang on a minute love while I rummage through my cupboard." malarkey.

GasLightShining · 05/05/2016 13:18

I wouldn't reply to a formal email, let alone a job offer, with anything as casual as 'hi' and I certainly wouldn't say I'd 'look' for basic documents/details such as those - it sounds really disorganised.
I know these things don't always matter, but surely in a PA, they do?

I agree. I wouldn't do that with work colleague who get on very well with never mind a future boss.

When I interviewed for my present job had to proof my entitlement to work in this country at the interview. Perhaps you can start doing that?

If I was waiting for an e-mail (bearing in mind she asked fro contact to be this way) I think I would be checking all the time

shovetheholly · 05/05/2016 13:19

Once you've made a job offer, someone should have a reasonable time to be able to consider whether what you are offering is a good fit for them. You may feel that you're offering them a dream job, but they may think they have better options!

She may have another interview lined up!

It's not a sign that she's a bad PA - it may be a sign that she's actually a very good, and in-demand person!

GasLightShining · 05/05/2016 13:24

Another thing - surely you should be asking to see the actual passport not a copy?

I know exactly where my passport is but NI paperwork not a clue. I was 16 a long long time ago but I know the number is on my pay slip.

oldlaundbooth · 05/05/2016 13:25

'It's not a sign that she's a bad PA - it may be a sign that she's actually a very good, and in-demand person!'

Hmm

What, by appearing incompetent?

ImperialBlether · 05/05/2016 13:25

The way her response is written IS a sign that she might not be a good PA, though. No matter how great the demand on her time, her responses should be much better than that.

oldlaundbooth · 05/05/2016 13:27

You can easily bide time on a job offer if you have other things in the pipeline and still appear very professional and interested.

She's not doing a very good job of appearing interested in the OP's position!

BarbaraofSeville · 05/05/2016 13:29

Maybe she was busy or out of range yesterday? The weather is lovely at the moment. If I was unemployed I would have spent yesterday up a mountain or underwater somewhere so not necessarily checking emails.

If she was otherwise a good candidate and her application form was good, I wouldn't read too much into her reply. Agree that 20 interviewees is too many and 6-8 is about right.

AppleSetsSail · 05/05/2016 13:30

Her email is absurdly familiar. I'd expect something more like

Dear Thinking,

Thank you for your email, I'm very pleased that we'll be working together!

I'll scan and email my paperwork to you by 5pm today, and I'm free to start on Monday.

Could we have a call to discuss details some time today or tomorrow?

Yours,

PA

ChardonnayKnickertonSmythe · 05/05/2016 13:30

I'll contact the next one.

Of course she woukd have been checking her email after an interview, if she really wanted the job that is, but faffing around and dragging things out.

UhtredRagnorsson · 05/05/2016 13:31

Apple I'm a director in a professional services firm in the city and I often don't know where my passport is! Knowing where ones passport is isn't entirely an analogue for ability, experience etc.

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 05/05/2016 13:32

Never mind whether or not she wants the job, if she's replying like that to a formal job offer, I'd consider rescinding it immediately as her professionalism is hugely in question!

Phone her and see what her phone manner is like. Then change your mind and go after the next one on the list instead.

Pinkheart5915 · 05/05/2016 13:34

I'd expect the reply example oldlaundbooth gave

Elena567 · 05/05/2016 13:34

OP, I'm an Executive PA in a major city. I wouldn't look into the 24 hours between emails, she may have a very busy schedule (especially if she is currently in a similar role).

However, I'd be concerned with the content of her email. For a start she technically hasn't accepted. I'm assuming she does want the job, as she states she'll be looking for her passport and "nat" ( Hmm ) insurance number, but any decent PA would know how important written communication is, especially in a recruitment/job offer process. The format of the email and shorting of words is very unprofessional- how do you think she will be addressing your clients?

Also, she's disregarded your question of when she can start, and not indicated any times or dates of when she will be getting back to you with the required information. Another PA sin! A PA is suppose to ultimately make your work life (assuming she will be reporting to you?) easier and free up a lot of your time so your skills are put to better use.

Personally I would skip the email (why email a job offer by the way?) and phone her. Is she currently employed elsewhere?

sharknad0 · 05/05/2016 13:39

The fact that she doesn't reply straight away doesn't bother me, especially if you haven't added a deadline in your own email. We have no idea what she was doing yesterday and yesterday evening. Not everybody checks their email regularly, she had no way of knowing you would send her one then. How does anyone know she was home last night?

The lack of formality concerns me a lot more. It is a completely inappropriate way to reply to an email from your possible employer, even if you are not sure you will take the job! It is up to you if you want to go through with a probation period, or just find someone else. You haven't signed her contract yet!

ImperialBlether · 05/05/2016 13:40

But a PA SHOULD be checking her emails regularly, particularly if she's just gone for interview and told them email is the best method of communication.

Cappster · 05/05/2016 13:41

You just emailed her and said there's a job, get your stuff together? What about calling, and saying hi, and making sure she still wants to join the team, and saying you look forward to working with her? How welcomed must she feel?

If you had the time to myther about it on Mumsnet, surely you had the time to call her like a human being.

I've never been offered a job in such an offhand and impersonal manner. I mean I'm not a PA, but...

Pisssssedofff · 05/05/2016 13:42

I know where my passport is but I'd be a shocking PA 😂

AdrenalineFudge · 05/05/2016 13:45

I'd make a terrible PA but I at least know that I should mind my Ps and Qs in this sort of situation. I'd give her till close of business today.

Damselindestress · 05/05/2016 13:46

I'd be concerned that her response was informal and non committal. I would never respond like that to a job offer. However I haven't a job offer by email before, the procedure I'm used to is a verbal offer followed by written confirmation. In a conversation, you could have assessed her tone better and asked about a start date. Why not give her a quick call to confirm details? You can't do everything online. You'll get a much better read on her by actually talking to her. Then if she seems reluctant to commit you can point out that you have other candidates and need someone to start ASAP, at least she'll know where she stands. IMHO YWBU to tell her she's got the job and then give it to someone else without at least talking to her about it directly.

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 05/05/2016 13:48

The OP has stated that this prospective employee SAID that her preferred form of contact was email, why don't people read properly?

RaeSkywalker · 05/05/2016 13:51

I would be starting to doubt her abilities- is that how she thinks a professional email should look?

I would definitely call her to chase if you still want her, but I actually think I'd offer the job to someone else. Definitely put her on a probation period or temporary contract to begin with it you do take her on- you don't want to be stuck with someone on a permanent contract if she doesn't meet the requirements of the role.

GasLightShining · 05/05/2016 13:56

It may be that her preferred method of communication is because she is at work and doesn't want to be having personal phone calls especially ones involving a job offer