One more out of the running

[msmemory_archive]

This morning's interview had not shown up (nor phoned to report she was lost or ill) as of one hour after her appointment.

It may be a Very Good Thing that we've been inundated with resumes. Of the first four interviewees, one was overqualified, one was suitable but not fabulous, one cancelled an hour before her appointment, one no-showed.

(Anybody I know want to be an Administrative Assistant in the Lebanon/White River area? The position is still open, and I'd get a referral bonus.)

Comments

[talvinm.livejournal.com]

How much handling of hard-copy (as opposed to electronic) paperwork is involved?

My Lady is still looking for a job, and while we don't *want* to move, if it comes to that, it comes to that.

[msmemory.livejournal.com]

I suspect enough hardcopy work to make it difficult for your Lady to do the job: there's faxing, photocopying, filing, proofreading, assembling binders for conference attendees. She could certainly do the phone answering, typing, lunch arrangements, parts of the job. She'd have to judge the difficulties of stuff like faxing/filing/mail sorting.

Description reads:
The principal duties and responsibilities for this position are: formatting technical documents and correspondence, backing up for the receptionist, assisting in course and presentation materials, and other Administrative Assistant duties as assigned. A High School degree with a business emphasis and 3-5 years experience in a related position, along with word processing, presentation preparation, and spreadsheet skills, are required. Strong organizational, grammar, communication, multi-tasking, and teamwork skills are required.

[talvinm.livejournal.com]

That's what I was afraid of.

And, with a Bachelor's, they'd probably say "overqualified".

The description, as listed, she could do, is the thing. But, the hardcopy...no, too many issues.

[cvirtue.livejournal.com]

I'm curious why "overqualified" means someone wouldn't otherwise be a good choice. (Speaking from ignorance, it sounds like you'd be getting a highly trained person at a lower price.)

[msmemory.livejournal.com]

She'd make an excellent office manager, which is where her prior experience is. As is, she'd be rather a threat to our present OM, to whom the AA position reports. We were worried about subordination issues, among other things, as well as whether she'd be restless and move on in six months. We'd rather have someone lower-level, to whom the job is a growth and learning role, and who will stick around for two years plus.

[cvirtue.livejournal.com]

Ah. It becomes clear -- thanks.

[msmemory.livejournal.com]

So far, Candidate #2, (Phillips Andover, Univ of Vermont, Dartmouth), while overeducated, is leading the list.

[kimbari.livejournal.com]

I would if I lived there (I need a job), but I'd be overqualified, too.

I hate that word.

[crolevey.livejournal.com]

Have you asked the overqualified person why she's stepping back?
The position sounds like fun to me.

If you really like the candidate, you might want to discuss you concerns (which I read before replying) with her.

On paper, I was dramatically "overqualified" for a position I took in 2001. It turned out to be a perfect fit in the end. I had to persuade the hiring VP that I wasn't a threat to the manager. It worked out very well for me and the company. Then they moved to Alpharetta, GA. Oh well.

If the commute to NH wasn't miserable for me, I'd seriously consider applying for your position myself.