To think this is unfair and that I wasn’t given a fair chance at my new job.

[Sunnysideup95]

Recently I started a new job at a recruitment agency, for what would have been my first proper job. I was interviewed for an office administration position. A few days later I received a call from them and they said the position has gone to somebody else but there is another department within the same agency who need an administrator and they could take me on.

On my first day I arrived and soon found out it wasn’t an office admin job but was to call up nursing staff and see if they were available to take a job in care home that the agency had on their lists. A lot of the times I was ringing up and they would say they are not available to work that day. I felt pressure as I was just given a list of names and contact numbers and had to ring anybody on the list. I had no training and nobody helped or really told me what I needed to be doing

A few days later I was called in to the office by office manager who said he had been listening to my calls and thinks I’m not right for the job. But I was never told what to say to the nursing staff on their lists and was just trying my best

Aibu to think this isn’t fair

So in this particular job, my guess is that it's not just about randomly calling potential staff. It would be wise to try and somehow ascertain whether they're actually likely to accept future offers or whether they only do it occasionally.

You could then create a hotlist and focus on the ones that seem more lucrative. The other staff seem to already have an idea of who's who as they mentioned that one woman being a broad.

'abroad' not 'a broad' 😂😂😂

Failure to provide adequate training.

Failure to put a proper performance plan in place to allow employee improve performance

Not following proper probation plan

unprofessional conduct on part of management

quite a bit has been poor practice on the employers so as I said a strong case for unfair dismissal if it comes to it

Yes I've acknowledged that some training is useful to improve skills, but you need something to work with. I've worked in offices where staff had said they hate answering/talking on the phone. They seem to have a problem with literally talking. Some people really aren't cut out for it. I'm sure within 3 days it's apparent if there is or isnt some raw talent to work with. It's quite possible they already have another candidate lined up, one more suited to this type of work. If it's a temp/unskilled position they might not have the inclination to waste time and money 'training' someone. That's not necessarily bad. If I ran a restaurant/cafe and employed a new waitress I wouldn't necessarily spend time 'training' them how to take an order,I'd expect basic skills to be able to converse with customers. I might give some top tips later on ways to carry plates or how to upsell side dishes, but not much more. If they were no good, I'd think 'next'.

I suppose you've never made a mistake? Tone down the self righteous act.

If you think you were going to be doing an office admin job and not making/taking calls you're deluded and clearly not right for the job. I think you and the company both dodged a bullet.

Calls from colleagues maybe. An admin job is not the same as a call centre role. Not even slightly. **

I would leave, I have worked in a recruitment agency and did reception duties and faxing, filing etc. Your job role sounds like one of the recruitment consultants.

Yep, cold calling requires a thick skin and a degree of ruthlessness that is bordering on psychopathy imo.

Outside of specialist fields, recruitment is basically a selling role. You're selling (mostly shitty) jobs to potential employees and people to employers, regardless of whether they've got the skills and experience to do the job.

Apologies to OP if she felt I was being nasty.
I actually thought I was just being factual

You have to be petty pushy in a job like this, maybe it just isn't for you?

When I was a student I worked in an employment agency. No training, you just needed a natural aptitude to push round pegs into square holes so that they could place people in jobs they didn't really want. I lasted eight weeks and was glad to leave.

OP I had a very very similar experience when I was 18/19. Started as admin, was told I was being re distributed due to changing in teams and I would have to cold call. I was awful at it and was told that I should resign or they would find a reason to sack me without a reference. I handed my notice in and left. You have got lucky, lots of recruitment company’s have conveyor belt staff and aren’t particularly moral. Who wants to make someone take a job that don’t want?
Don’t let it knock your confidence, onwards to better things!

I wouldn't describe office administration as cold calling though. Definite difference.

You sound like a total arse. Do you work for a recruitment agency, by any chance?

As you can see, OP, most people don't last a day doing this kind of work. Some people might be good at it, or even like it, but it's most people's worst nightmare.