to tell this woman the truth?

[RoonilWaslibb]

I manage a recruitment agency and have recently placed a Personal Assistant for a member of the (not UK) Royal Family.

I had one candidate who, on paper, looked really promising, with really strong, relevant experience and who's interview was good (though not outstanding).
We are in contact with all of our shortlisted candidates via WhatsApp so they can ask us any questions they have and its just generally a fast, convenient method of communication.

This candidate, however, took to messaging both myself and my business partner (who's details she must have found online, and has been told does not deal directly with candidates) incessantly; mainly via WhatsApp but also calling and emailing.

In the space of an hour, she had called 5 times, left 3 voicemails, emailed three times and messaged 25 times on WA. This was just asking about the status of the job application. I was in meetings at the time so couldn't respond, so she took to harassing my business partner, claiming that I was not replying fast enough.
This happened various times over small questions she had, on one particular afternoon she messaged me every 15 minutes for 4 hours, adding information to her application.

This role is for a very very important person who is incredibly busy, and I feel that this candidates behaviour during the application process has shown a distinct lack of social and professional awareness; these kind of jobs require a high level of discretion and professionalism.

We didn't end up putting her forward to the client, and today I messaged her thanking for her time and informing her that her application hasn't gone further.

She's now messaged both me and my partner (and called multiple times) asking why? (Why? Why? Why...Why? But...Why?) and pointing out that she's the ideal candidate.

WIBU to tell her that its because she displayed really poor communication boundaries, or should i just make something up?

We had more than 700 applicants for the role, so my plate is overflowing anyway - so i recognise that I may be a bit stressed and impatient.

Surely being a PA to VIP's requires someone who handle themselves with a certain level of self composure and decorum, no? It's well known that candidates are often assessed on how they conduct themselves from the second they walk into Reception, not just what they say during the interview. I would give the woman honest feedback on her interview etc, but also let her know that her conduct post interview went beyond 'keen' and became challenging and a bit disrespectful. You couldn't possibly in all good conscience have possibly placed her in that post. Wish her luck and state that the feedback is given in confidence and good faith.

Being a PA requires the ability to get things done without asking questions. You need independant research skills - that this applicant had to keep asking lots of questions suggests she probably isn’t cut out to be a PA.

You’ll never get rid of her if you’re truthful. Self preservation would incline me to be bland and nonspecific.

Does your business partner know about this thread? Because in his/her shoes, I would go bananas if I found you'd posted all this here while criticising an applicant's lack of discretion ffs.

I was assuming that elements of the situation will have been adjusted so it isn't that obvious @awomanwhogetsthingsdone, e.g. it's actually a UK musician. Nobody would be that daft.

There were 700 applicants, one was completely deranged and you and your business partner discussed removing her from the list "at length"? Why?

She sounds like an absolute nightmare. Tell her she harassed both you and your business partner and that is why she didn't get the job. Then, block her.

yes, maybe bland feedback or she could resort to stalking you both.

I would tell her that the other candidates are more of a personality fit with the client and let her work out for herself that her nightmare ways will put employers off.

@Amibeingdaft81 Thu 13-Jun-19 15:47:09
"If you are ten2two" ? what?

Surely you've met one of of these before? If not you will meet more. Every so often, someone gets slightly unhinged over things. You've told her she's not been successful. That's it. No more.

Be honest. Her communication skills are very lacking.

Gosh - absolutely tell her!

Cruella tentotwo is an agency

As per @KissMeBunty without the last part of the final sentence. Then block her. If she has any sense she will ask someone what you mean.

@Benes just state that good interpersonal skills are an important part of the degree and you expect candidates for the program to demonstrate having a basic level during the interview process.

Given that good communication skills would appear to be a part of the assessment criteria , I would think you would be fine to mention that her conduct during the process ruled her out on that basis.

If communication skills didn't appear then probably you shouldn't tell her.

Give her the honest feedback about why she didn't get any further and advise in future she makes sure her application is complete, as calling to add details is unprofessional, even at entry level.
That constantly contacting potential employers is workplace harassment, or similar.
Give her the chance to learn from it, but seriously, block her afterwards.

I actually think this one is a tough one.

Scenario A
You provide accurate feedback and she takes it on board and can reflect and not do the same thing again

Scenario B
You provide accurate feedback and she is mortified and contacts you constantly trying to plead her point.

In an ideal world we are provided with honest concise feedback that helps move to the next interview but I don't think you can win with this one. Feedback will have to be 'the chosen candidate was more suitable' or something along those lines and leave it there.

Good luck.

I think Scenario B is the most likely one!

@CruellaFeinberg agency

I would go with the advice of feeding back why she wasn't as strong as another candidate in a certain area and then mentioning the lack of boundaries as an extra. Then learn the lesson and include appropriate boundaries on the next similar job advert as an ' essential' criteria!

you were concerned about her MH fgs don't say this to her! I would tell her though that her over-enthusiastic messaging showed she lacked patience and discretion, both of which I assume are qualities needed for this role.

I've worked in a similar field. You need to manage candidate expectations from the outset regards your availability to reply to queries. Also make it clear you are engaged by a fee paying client to source candidates. You are not actively sourcing work for them outside this process but will update in future with suitable opportunities.

@Amibeingdaft81 thanks! That makes sense

She didn't even make it to interview stage cola She was just incredibly rude to the admin and admissions team when submitting the application. She's got 'complaint' written all over her.....