Messed up BIG TIME

UnknownEntity

Hi, I'm 17 years old and 2 days ago I had an interview for a lifeguard position at my local pool. Taking everything into consideration, it was almost my dream job and I got so excited. I applied online and didn't get a response so chanced my luck and phoned the pool and talked to the manager. He scheduled an interview for me on the spot and I was ecstatic because I saw there was a chance that I could get the job. I prepared a lot and went to the interview and it was PERFECT. Literally, the manager clearly liked me, even said he was "so impressed". He basically approved me but he just had to get the main boss' green light. He was so engaged and he even gave me a mini induction introducing me to team members etc. He told me I would know if I did or did not get the job by the end of the day.

I waited 2 days and did not get a response so I started to get impatient and here is where it all goes horribly wrong. I decided to follow up and me being the inexperienced idiot I am, I messaged him on Facebook. No response at all, so I decided to message him a few times. Then all of a sudden, I got a message from him saying that he still has a decision to make and that I'm not the only candidate. He generally seemed really angry at me and I don't really blame him because I know that what I did was silly and I'll know better for next time.

So my question is, should I assume that I have completely blown it? I was so confident that I landed the job and I guess I just got too impatient and completely messed it up. I'll know better for next time at least...

SusieBlue

Its hard to say whether or not you blew it but it will certainly have come across as pushy by bombarding him with messages.
As a rule of thumb, for future purposes, I would wait a minimum of a week regardless of what you are told at the interview before getting in contact.
I wouldn't make any further contact, you'll just have to wait it out and see what happens.

NinetyTwoTeam

Most of the time it takes at least a few days, often a few weeks, to get a response. Even if he said by the end of the day, you'll learn in time that when it comes to management to timescales are flexible.

Don't beat yourself up, you did everything right until the point you message him on Facebook. Never do that to a prospective employer. It shouldn't cost you the job if you're the best candidate otherwise so just hang tight.

Miaireland

On his personal facebook or on the business facebook? If it was the business facebook you will be ok they will just think that you are a bit over eager. His personal facebook is a different story and I would understand why he would be very angry. However there is nothing you can do at this stage. As a rule of thumb contacting people regarding interviews really should not be done via facebook.

UnknownEntity

Miaireland wrote:

On his personal facebook or on the business facebook? If it was the business facebook you will be ok they will just think that you are a bit over eager. His personal facebook is a different story and I would understand why he would be very angry. However there is nothing you can do at this stage. As a rule of thumb contacting people regarding interviews really should not be done via facebook.

Sadly it was his personal Facebook that I messaged...

bucketybuck

Miaireland wrote: »

On his personal facebook or on the business facebook?.

This is a key distinction.

If it was his personal account then what on earth were you thinking! If someone I interviewed started sending me personal messages through private channels then that person would never get near my company ever again.

So if it was his personal account, I would prepare for disappointment.

mikeybrennan

I hope he doesn't see this lol

SusieBlue

bucketybuck wrote: »

This is a key distinction.

If it was his personal account then what on earth were you thinking! If someone I interviewed started sending me personal messages through private channels then that person would never get near my company ever again.

So if it was his personal account, I would prepare for disappointment.

I agree with this. I can't begin to comprehend how inappropriate what you did is. Don't beat yourself up over it but I can't emphasize enough how improper it is to contact someone on their personal, private social media account regarding a professional query.
At a minimum you should have called the leisure center or sent him email to his work address.
I wouldn't be holding out hope to be honest and would start looking elsewhere.

emmaro

Contacting him on his personal facebook was completely inappropriate - and then continuing to send messages when you were not receiving a reply is really really not good and very unprofessional.

You're very young and at least you learned this lesson now. Look for other jobs and best of luck! You sound like you did a great job in the interview - so you could be in luck and get a similar job soon

Teyla Emmagan

haiyna wrote:

I waited 2 days and did not get a response so I started to get impatient and here is where it all goes horribly wrong. I decided to follow up and me being the inexperienced idiot I am, I messaged him on Facebook. No response at all, so I decided to message him a few times. Then all of a sudden, I got a message from him saying that he still has a decision to make and that I'm not the only candidate. He generally seemed really angry at me and I don't really blame him because I know that what I did was silly and I'll know better for next time.

Based on this I would imagine a lack of patience is a characteristic of yours. I don't think you can blame being pushy on a lack of experience but it's not a personality trait anyone likes, so learn from this. You might still get the job. Just cool your jets and keep your fingers crossed.

UnknownEntity

Yeah guys thanks for the replies... Looking back at it now I really don't know why I did it but it's too late now. This was my first interview so at least I will know what to do next time I guess...

UnknownEntity

Teyla Emmagan wrote:

Based on this I would imagine a lack of patience is a characteristic of yours. I don't think you can blame being pushy on a lack of experience but it's not a personality trait anyone likes, so learn from this. You might still get the job. Just cool your jets and keep your fingers crossed.

The reason I got impatient was because he told me he would contact me by the end of the day and I didn't realise that he would take longer but as I said this was my first interview so I didn't know what to expect. I'll know for next time

emmaro

haiyna wrote: »

The reason I got impatient was because he told me he would contact me by the end of the day and I didn't realise that he would take longer but as I said this was my first interview so I didn't know what to expect. I'll know for next time

Just because someone gives you a time frame in an interview doesn't mean it will end up being exactly that. As someone said above, wait a week in future before contacting them (on their work number/email)

Miaireland

Honestly, I would not be to hopeful. A rule of thumb always expect it to take longer for them to get back to you particular if they have to talk to someone else.

Hercule Poirot

haiyna wrote: »

Yeah guys thanks for the replies... Looking back at it now I really don't know why I did it but it's too late now. This was my first interview so at least I will know what to do next time I guess...

Chalk it up as a learning experience and move on - maybe try sending an e-mail to his business address and just explain that you realise what you did was overstepping a line and that you apologise, don't try and justify it by saying you were eager - just simply state that you were in the wrong and accept that you were unprofessional, it might work, it might not

UnknownEntity

Thanks everyone for your help, I won't bother making it up to him because I am pretty doubtful I can fix things based on what some here are saying so I'll just have to do better next time....

nuckeythompson

haiyna wrote:

Sadly it was his personal Facebook that I messaged...

What's on your Facebook page?

UnknownEntity

nuckeythompson wrote:

What's on your Facebook page?

He can't see anything we aren't friends on it but does that even matter anymore

nuckeythompson

Social media is not anyone's friend. Upside it shows your enthusiasm. Your young so don't worry too much buddy. No more messages, OK!

Chancer3001

IF he rings to offer you the job. Be grateful and accept. First day in the job, apologise for being over eager and explain that it's your dream job.

If he calls / emails / whatever to say No, I'd take that as an opportunity to thank him for the opportunity and a very brief apology again also.

He'll appreciate it and you won't have burned bridges for applying again next year

haiyna

haiyna wrote: »

He can't see anything we aren't friends on it but does that even matter anymore

Depends on your own settings. If its the default settings then he can probably see your wall.

In future, keep facebook far away from your professional life. If you do get the job be very careful with adding work colleagues to your facebook and what you share with them.

Ronan|Raven

haiyna wrote: »

Yeah guys thanks for the replies... Looking back at it now I really don't know why I did it but it's too late now. This was my first interview so at least I will know what to do next time I guess...

You did it because you are 17 and eager. We all make mistakes.

You will know for again so chalk it up to experience and move on. You never know, you may yet get the job.

ceegee

haiyna wrote: »

Thanks everyone for your help, I won't bother making it up to him because I am pretty doubtful I can fix things based on what some here are saying so I'll just have to do better next time....

Hopefully he might chalk your over eagerness down to youth, only thing you can do is learn from the experience.
Your clearly eager to work which is a great character trait, just need to keep that eagerness in check. Also you were self aware enough to (belatedly) realise you'd messed up, plenty of people continue making the same mistakes over and over.
As others have said, if he gets in contact to say yes or no, apologize for any boundaries that may have been crossed and move on. Don't beat yourself up too much, we've all done stupid things starting out working, at least it's one mistake you'll never make again

emo72

Your 17, you didn't mess up anything! Your only beginning and getting things wrong and learning from it is how we all start. You'll be grand.

UnknownEntity

Thank you all so much for the nice comments. It really is a shame because the interview went so well and if I didn't mess up like this I probably would have ended up with the job. I still don't understand why he would tell me he was going to call by the end of the day and then he doesn't... I'll know for next time to wait longer but still frustrating

Permabear

This post has been deleted.

Miaireland

Honestly because life happens. The interview is number one thing to you but to him it is just one thing of a hundred other things he has to do.

Also it is not always easy to meet the manager etc.

emmaro

haiyna wrote: »

I still don't understand why he would tell me he was going to call by the end of the day and then he doesn't... I'll know for next time to wait longer but still frustrating

It happens all the time.

When I was not much older than you I interviewed for a job in a shop(they were taking on a lot of staff as it was near Christmas) and they said they'd let me know within 2 weeks. 2 weeks came and went so I assumed I was not successful. They ended up ringing me 4 weeks after the interview to offer me the job.

UnknownEntity

emmaro wrote:

When I was not much older than you I interviewed for a job in a shop(they were taking on a lot of staff as it was near Christmas) and they said they'd let me know within 2 weeks. 2 weeks came and went so I assumed I was not successful. They ended up ringing me 4 weeks after the interview to offer me the job.

Wow I guess I'll keep that in mind for the future then.

bucketybuck

haiyna wrote: »

I still don't understand why he would tell me he was going to call by the end of the day and then he doesn't... I'll know for next time to wait longer but still frustrating

There are lots of possible reasons, the most obvious one being that he is a busy man and something else came up. Sorting that position might be really important to you but only the tenth most important thing on his list.

He might have been enthusiastic when meeting you, but after a few hours let an innate caution take hold and decide to delay making the decision for a while, just to see if he felt any differently. People do that all the time, they sleep on decisions and look at it again the next day.

He might have interviewed somebody else later that day and found that person a really good candidate also, so needed extra time to consider the options.

He might have made the choice but needed to run it by his own manager, and his own manager wasn't available or had his own ideas about what to do next.

It isn't even something to be frustrated about, its simply a reality of the workplace.

Ninjavampire

To be honest, I don't think the situation is as bad as some people are making it out to be. You are a kid and you want this job. He obviously liked you and sending him messages inappropriately doesn't necessarily change that.

My advice is find his work email now (or the pool website email) and apologise for contacting him on Facebook, explaining that you realise you overstepped and regret it.

If I were the manager, I wouldn't hold a grudge and definitely attribute the whole situation to over eagerness and inexperience. I can definitely see him forgetting about it and still offering you the job.

Best of luck regardless, life is all about living and learning.

Chancer3001

Don't contact him again until he contacts you

Senna

Ninjavampire wrote: »

To be honest, I don't think the situation is as bad as some people are making it out to be. You are a kid and you want this job. He obviously liked you and sending him messages inappropriately doesn't necessarily change that.

My advice is find his work email now (or the pool website email) and apologise for contacting him on Facebook, explaining that you realise you overstepped and regret it.

If I were the manager, I wouldn't hold a grudge and definitely attribute the whole situation to over eagerness and inexperience. I can definitely see him forgetting about it and still offering you the job.

Best of luck regardless, life is all about living and learning.

DO NOT TAKE THIS ADVICE, DO NOT CONTACT HIM AGAIN.

Ursus Horribilis

I'm long enough around to know that a job offer isn't worth the paper it's written on. Years ago I came within a hair's breadth of handing in my notice and leaving my job for a new one. Then someone in the new place threw a spanner in the works and that was the end of my new job. I know people who've been told they had a job in the bag and that the interview was a formality. People who were offered jobs, only for the person who offered them to suddenly become very elusive and hard to pin down.

Even if you hadn't been too pushy, perhaps you were never going to get the job anyway. Maybe someone thought you were a bit young at 17 and wanted a more experienced person. Or indeed, one over 18. Someone else might have impressed them more.. Who knows? It is unfortunate that you turned a bit stalkerish but it's something to learn from. We're all looking at this as older people who've been around the block. This isn't the only job in the world and isn't the only interview you'll do.

alexonhisown

Try not to worry too much, just put it down to "youthful enthusiasm"
and hopefully the person who interviewed you will look past it, hopefully he is a boardsie and will find it funny.
if you dont get the job something else will come along, you seem like a well mannered, well spoken person.

Let us know if you get the job, good luck

UnknownEntity

Thanks everyone

Ninjavampire

Senna wrote: »

DO NOT TAKE THIS ADVICE, DO NOT CONTACT HIM AGAIN.

I'm interested why you think it would be such a bad idea to apologise to him through an official and appropriate work email?

Miaireland

He should wait until after he is told whether he got the job or not. Contacting him now could appear like he is pushing for an answer despite the contents of the email.

Ninjavampire

Miaireland wrote: »

He should wait until after he is told whether he got the job or not. Contacting him now could appear like he is pushing for an answer despite the contents of the email.

I would think acknowledging that he over stepped boundaries and explaining himself/ apologising would go down well, rather than the last point of contact being excessively messaging the manager on Facebook. Then the managers last impression could be a positive one.

_Brian

UnknownEntity wrote: »

Sadly it was his personal Facebook that I messaged...

That's a big NO NO !!

You should start presuming you've blown it and look elsewhere.. Remember that most people like to draw a distinct line between work and personal lives and do not like people crossing it, never mind plaguing them with messages.

Personally I'd have your CV rolled up in a tight ball and filed away in the bin for that behavior..

If you are passed by do give him a call and appologise for what happened asking maybe to be considered for further positions in the future.

bucketybuck

Ninjavampire wrote: »

I would think acknowledging that he over stepped boundaries and explaining himself/ apologising would go down well, rather than the last point of contact being excessively messaging the manager on Facebook. Then the managers last impression could be a positive one.

Or he will look like the guy who didn't get an reply through two other channels, but didn't take the hint so moved onto a third. Whats next after facebook and emails, start sending letters? Stand outside his window with a boombox?

When in a hole stop digging, he knows you want the job, if he is going to give it to you he will be in touch. Definitely stop finding new contact details for the guy, thats going to get uncomfortable very quickly.

Ninjavampire

bucketybuck wrote: »

Or he will look like the guy who didn't get an reply through two other channels, but didn't take the hint so moved onto a third. Whats next after facebook and emails, start sending letters? Stand outside his window with a boombox?

When in a hole stop digging, he knows you want the job, if he is going to give it to you he will be in touch. Definitely stop finding new contact details for the guy, thats going to get uncomfortable very quickly.

I'm not saying to contact him looking for the job or to stress his case further, I'm saying send him an email and apologise for going about everything the wrong way.

traveller0101

Ninjavampire wrote: »

I'm not saying to contact him looking for the job or to stress his case further, I'm saying send him an email and apologise for going about everything the wrong way.

The OP is 17 and doubting himself - stop giving him terrible advice.

OP, bit weird to message him on FB but unlikely to really effect the outcome. Don't worry if you don't get the job though. Your interview might have been great but then he ends up hiring someone with more experience or something.

Ninjavampire

traveller0101 wrote: »

The OP is 17 and doubting himself - stop giving him terrible advice.

OP, bit weird to message him on FB but unlikely to really effect the outcome. Don't worry if you don't get the job though. Your interview might have been great but then he ends up hiring someone with more experience or something.

Why do you think it is terrible advice?

gimli2112

tbh if he doesn't get the job because of this it's an over-reaction on the employer's part and op'd probably be better off without it. I missed out on a job years ago, that I wanted at the time, largely due to a misunderstanding, turned out to be a good thing.

Ursus Horribilis

Ninjavampire wrote: »

Why do you think it is terrible advice?

Perhaps because by trying to rectify the situation, the OP will most likely make things worse. I'm sure I'm not the only one who learned the hard way that sometimes no words can fix a situation you've caused. To the contrary, the more you try to fix things, the worst its gets. This is a classic situation where the wisest course of action is to lie low and wait it out. In a day or two, it's likely the manager won't be as annoyed. And perhaps a situation will arise (at the manager's instigation) where the OP will get an opportunity to apologise for his/her actions.

UnknownEntity

Guys please stop arguing. I already made my mind up not to contact him until he contacts me again because I've already assumed that I have blown it so I am not going to try make things better. It's just not worth the effort but if somehow he does end up giving me the job, then I will apologise and make things better. I know for a fact that he really liked me before my incident so if he does call to offer me the job, I'm sure we will get along and make things up with no problems.

But I'm 99% sure the job is out of the question anyway...

Ursus Horribilis

Pm a mod to get the thread locked

UnknownEntity

None of this would have happened if I had known that interviewers don't necessarily stick to their promises. I was being selfish when I assumed that he would call me back straight away as he said. Managers have so many other things to take care of so it was always going to be difficult for him to get the process done in the same day. I definitely should have waited at least a week or 2.

Phoenix Wright

Don't be too hard on yourself - we all made mistakes when we were searching for our first part-time jobs. While it does seem unlikely that you will get the job at this stage, you never know. There really is no point in beating yourself up!

On my very first CV I managed to find place for: "Can solve a Rubik's Cube in under 90 seconds". Needless to say, my first job hunt was a long one :pac:

Mezamo

Don't beat yourself up over it. Your 17 years old and have a lot to learn:). As long as you learn from this then I would just chalk it down to experience.

P.S. Let us know if you do get the job!