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Im a new provider & Ive been advertising for an infant opening I will have starting in September. While I was on vacation last week, I spoke with several interested families & told them all that I would be scheduling interviews when I returned home. I set up 3 interviews for this week & the first family came tonight. We totally hit it off & they decided to sign on the spot. I emailed the other interviews to let them know that I have filled the spot. The woman that I was supposed to interview with tomorrow FREEEAAAKKKEDD out on me!! :confused: She kept messaging me of how disappointed they were, saying that I shouldn't have made it sound like the spot was theirs (whaat?!) I should have told her that I have a waiting list (I didnt) so that they could have had the first interview, how hopefully they can find care on such short notice :confused: etc. I apologized twice for her feeling disappointed & explained that I dont enroll based on fcfs, but rather who is a right fit & this family just happened to it- but she didnt get it. Just whoa.
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I was an infant only provider so I get this a lot as well. However, it wouldn't have hurt to do the interviews anyway and THEN tell this particular lady that you felt she fit best. I mean, what if the others were just as good or even BETTER? You wouldn't know since you didn't take the time to see. That is what I do. I schedule all my interviews and then let them know that on Friday I will send out my decisions. Yes, I've had people get pissy about why I would interview several families for the one spot and yes they get annoyed when I explain its for the "best fit" as if they are SO special that they are THE ones. You just have to grit your teeth. And no matter what, they will ALL act as if you were their last hope simply because they aren't getting their way!Comment
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Sounds like you dodged a bullet on that one! Glad you found a family you will enjoy working with
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I would have probably done the other interviews just so I could pick best fit. But this parent has shown you how she is to work with so you are probably better off as far as she goes!Comment
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I can see why she was upset.
I am not condoning the way she behaved but you agreed to meet with her at a specific time.
You didn't say "Ok, I will meet with you Wednesday. Unless someone else gets the spot first."
I would have interviewed every family I had agreed to interview and after interviewing ALL the candidates then I would have given it a some thought for a day or two and then made a "best fit" decision.
The family you signed on might be a good fit but one of the families you cancelled on may have been a great fit.
Another aspect of this situation to consider is say the first family is a good fit for the first few days/weeks and then isn't. Now you've eliminated the possibility of contacting the next best fit family and offering them a spot...essentially burning a bridge so to speak.
I agree that the woman's behavior was a bit out of line and she/her family may not have been a good fit but there is a lesson in what she said.Comment
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She shouldn't have assumed the spot was hers, but I agree with the posters who said they'd do the interviews.Comment
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I agree with BlackCat, there is a lesson in her words.
I always conduct all interviews I have scheduled, as I feel it is best business practice. The other two families may have been a better fit for your program, or they may have been so interested in your program that they would be willing to be wait listed in case one family didn't work out.
I always think about how the best advertising for our line of work is word of mouth, and even if that family was not selected into care, they may have referred friends with different age children to your program, or shared with others what aspect of your care was what drew them to you in the first place.
You live and learn, and now you know for future reference to meet with all potential clients, explain to them you are conducting multiple interviews for one position, and that you will call/email when you have made your final decision.Comment
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Dodged a bullet! I wouldn't concern yourself with it. Just don't respond, block if you have to and move on. If she keeps it up tell her it's harassment.
Glad to hear you found a good fit right away!Comment
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And yes I do agree that you should have done all the interviews because it's hard to make a decision with just one meeting. Next time I would at least give everyone a chance and if one doesn't work and you still have interest from the others you can find a replacement.Comment
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I don't necessarily agree that all interviews should be conducted.
It may be good practice but in all honesty, interviewing ****s.
I really dislike interviewing. Especially if you have multiple days of interviews set up. I will only interview in the evening-don't get me started on why I have to do that. Keeping an extra clean house, paperwork on the ready, not being able to attend my sons practice/events, no family dinner, etc. It is just not worth it to go through all that when a good percent of the time the family doesn't show up anyway.
If I find someone who is a fit I have no problem letting other families know.
However, I do let them know that I will add them to my interest list and if I have a spot that should meet their needs I will call them.Comment
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I would have done the interviews and then let them know. I have a waiting list from this- and these families know I didn't pick them first. Sometimes I just have 3 great families interview for one space and I end up deciding based on gender and/or age to 'even out' my current group.Comment
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If you are a provider that dislikes interviewing then a better, more professional option would have been to schedule only one interview at a time.
Dont schedule any more unless the one you had isnt a good fit.
I don't think the OP should have to enjoy interviewing, just that she shouldn't schedule them at all if she has no intention of following through on them. (That is where my issue lies.)Comment
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I hate interviewing as well but I mark my time sheet and I only schedule one a day and I'm very selective , I try my best to know as much as I can before scheduling the interview so I feel more at ease and all the important info has been discussed that way the interview is only 30 to 45 min tops.Comment
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I can see both sides. As a parent, I wouldn't want to interview just for appearance sake if the provider has no intention of selecting me. As a provider, even if a family seems perfect, I would want to interview more than one just to make sure I'm making the right choice and to also add to my wait list.
As far as this parent, I would be glad you are not accepting them. You apologized twice and they are continuing their tantrum. They expected that an interview guaranteed the spot (asking how they will find care on such short notice, ect), so imagine how mad they would be to interview and still not get it.
Hope everything works out with the new family!Comment
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