How can I professionally say I will not work with a certain person?

[comeandhaveteawithme]

I applied for a job last year, but turned it down because the hiring manager acted incredibly unprofessionally during the recruitment process. I told her exactly what I thought of her (professionally).

Six months later, a completely different person has got in touch with me and asked if I would still be interested in the role. She partly apologised for previous behaviour, but not all of it. I'm not sure how aware they are. I don't need to reapply but they'd like to meet me again informally.

I really need a job at the moment and I still like the look of the role, however if the previous person is still working there, I am absolutely not interested.

How can I professionally ask if they are still there, and say I'm not interested if they are?

I've done some online digging and cannot figure out if they are or not.

Cant you just ask about the team structure etc? During the informal meeting I mean not up front

I told her exactly what I thought of her (professionally).

Interesting

Was she the only person involved in your recruitment process?

I don't think you can.

In professional life you have to put up with others unless they are actual going against work rules.

At work I bite my tongue so much I'm surprised it hasn't split.

Have you looked up the person in question on LinkedIn? Not from your own account, obviously...

I'd just ask if she's at the company, and if yes, which role. Not much point pussy-footing around it, if it's a dealbreaker for you. Possibly they know she's a bit of a tit, in which case they'll read between the lines of your question.

If you want to give a "professional" explanation, I'd say something like "I thought that our styles of approaching issues clashed a lot". Or you can just turn it down once you have the info, without giving that as the reason.

She's still there, in her previous role, but so is someone else, as of last month, so possibly her information isn't up to date...

Not your situation but I had a private word with my boss and explained why.

the person in question had been very unprofessional and I didn’t feel I could even be in the same room as them without crying.

do you know anyone else at the company to ask? In this situation I’d be asking friends of friends to find someone who worked there and then message them.

So who is currently your xyz manager? Oh, did the previous encumbent change roles or move outside of your organisation?

If the company are aware what happened last time and have apologised for the behaviour, I don't think it's unreasonable to ask, and make your decision based on the response.

All a bit odd

I wouldn't hesitate to ask. You haven't been offered the role or accepted it yet. There's nothing wrong with sussing out what you'll be dealing with.

Exactly what @Treacletootssays - you’re wasting your time (& the recruiters) if it’s a dealbreaker.
I hope they aren’t there!

Could you not call the company and ask to speak to her (under a false name/company)? If she’s left, you’ll find out then - and then won’t have to worry about saying you don’t want to work with her.

Just ask, say you don’t want to be wasting their time or yours if this person is still there.

Is be honest and say that you didn't have a good experience last time you discussing the role, and can they assure you that the person in question is no longer there? I wouldn't hesitate to say that - if she's gone, they'll all know she's batshit, and if she hasn't, then you don't want to work there anyway.

Why not be direct? It doesn’t have to mean being rude. Just say you were treated unprofessionally during the recruitment process to the extent that you aren’t interested in the role if it reports to or otherwise interacts with the person you interviewed with.

Does the organisation have a switchboard? If it does, you can call and ask whether X still works there fake puzzled tone

I can understand if they would be your manager but I’m wondering what they did that was so egregious you wouldn’t work in the same organisation as them. Especially if you currently need to find a new role.

What @Zeitumschaltung said sounds good

Yeah OP we are going to need to know exactly what she did and what you said/

Less. Than. Zero. Chance

Agree with this approach.

There is no way you can ask the person who approached you if that person is still working there and give the reason, without sounding like precious yourself, however justified you were in telling that person who you thought of her (professionally). If I were the person who approached you, I would have backed off once I realised you were that direct. Sorry until you have proven your worth and credibility, it just screams difficult to manage.

‘great thanks for reaching out, it is very unexpected. I interviewed with xyz previously, have they moved onto another role?’

simple

Right? But the OP needs to cough up here because I suspect like you there is a lot more to this story