GF wants me to ask my new job for work for her

AnonMous

Hi folks,

This is a very small issue compared to some on here, but I would appreciate some opinions all the same.

I am about to graduate from college in the coming weeks and I have been very fortunate to get a job in the area that I have been studying for the last 3 years. I will be starting the new job in a couple of weeks time and I must say, the company sound like they are decent to work for.

My girlfriend likes the sound of the company also and has relevant experience in that field from a few years back. She has asked me to see if I could get her a job there too.

I'm just wondering if you guys think it would be unprofessional of me to ask the company about a job for my girlfriend, before I even start myself?

We are having a lot of disagreements about it.

Thanks in advance for your responses.

Stench Blossoms

Yes it's unprofessional.

Wait until you start there and what you could do is ask HR if they've any similar positions as you know somebody looking for a job.

Don't mention it's your girl and don't ask for a job. Ask is there any available.

MitchKoobski

I wouldn't call it unprofessional, but I would wait until you've settled in before you ask if theres any other positions free. If she wants the job then surely she can just send a CV and try apply for a job there. It shouldnt be on you to get it sorted for her.

bubbaloo

Congrats on the new job!
I don't think it would be too unprofessional to ask about a job but be careful how you go about it......
I wouldn't ask on your first day (or first week even) and I wouldn't say it to your boss.
If you get to know someone over coffee/lunch ask them in a casual way if there are any vacancies as you know someone with relevant experience, who is looking for a challenge.
Good luck!

MiniSquish

Yes I do think it would be deemed as unprofessional- I recently started a new job and my sister is looking for a job at the moment too, when a job came up in the company I'm working for I politely refused to go asking for a job for my sister. She understands, if you're only in the door somewhere it's not the best idea to go looking for personal favours. I wouldn't ask my boyfriend to do that for me, your girlfriend should be a little more understanding considering you haven't even started the job yet.

Miss Fluff

You would get yourself off on totally the wrong footing by even bringing this up. As you said yourself, you're fortunate to have landed a job in this area so it's not appropriate to then go asking them to employ your girlfriend

On another note, not a good idea to work with a partner if it can be avoided. You'd end up living in one another's pockets....horrific

Miaireland

Ithink it would look unprofessional for both you and your girlfriend. If your girlfriend is interested in a post in your company she should send in her CV with a strong cover letter detailing her interest in the firm. However she should not mention you in the letter.

AnonMous

Hi folks, Op here.

Thanks for the replies, much appreciated.

I was hoping for those kind of replies. I will have a chat with my girlfriend and tell her my feelings on the matter.

Thanks again,

Anon ;-)

tinkerbell

Not a good idea at all. Not only is it unprofessional but it won't look good that you're asking a job for your girlfriend - it might give off the impression that you can't do something on your own without your gf. It's different if you are in the company for a while, but not as a new hire.

MistyCheese

OP, you've been given a fairly succinct list of reasons as to why this would be a bad idea but I would also consider another possible fallout.

If your girlfriend were to fare badly in this job I would worry that it would reflect badly on you, as the person who recommended her. Although I know this may not be something you wish to bring up to your girlfriend, as she would be dismayed by your lack of faith in her ability to do the job.

You haven't even started in the job yet, so all of the problems that may arise would be magnified by the fact that you haven't even proved yourself yet. You don't have enough clout with this company to professionally recommend someone.

I sympathise with your girlfriend being out of work, I'm sure she'd love to get a job but it would be best to settle you in first, then if a relevant opportunity arises you can let her know and she can follow the usual procedure and apply with everyone else.

Best of luck to you in your new job and I hope your girlfriend finds work too soon, whether in the same company or a different one.l

Kidchameleon

OP don't ask the minute you walk in the door. A few months at least should be the time frame. Just tell your GF that you asked and that they said she should send her CV. That's what she should be doing anyway...

2 Miles From Narnia

To take another angle on it, until you're established in your job, you wouldn't have too much influence anyway. I do a fair bit of recruitment in my job, and find it takes a few months for new people to be fully settled in, and for me to judge how much potential they'll have with the company. I wouldn't rate new peoples' recommendations too much until they'd proven themselves first.

Overheal

Not only unprofessional but pointless. Your new employers dont even know you yet. Why would they take your word over HR? You have less chance of getting her a job than she does getting herself a job.

Taltos

Something else to consider - what happens if you are both working there and it shuts down?
Immediate loss of both earnings...

Suggest that while you can help her that it really is a risky move working in the same place. Shortcut to disaster - not only in work but at home - when will you get downtime if all you talk about is bloody X down the corridor...

Neyite

OP,
a lot of companies frown on couples in the workplace, some even specifically prohibit it as it has the potential to distract from work if it goes kaput.

So before you even ask, check out that in the staff handbook in case you get her a job, and it transpires after that your own position is at risk because you are a couple.

My OH got together with a colleague before we met, and he was brought into HR with her to have a big meeting about the implications in the workplace of their personal relationship. He said it was pure cringey.