So I said I wouldn't discuss the details of my job adventures, but I felt this one was worth sharing.
On Sunday I found a very basic ad in the Dallas newspaper. By basic, I mean ridiculous. No name, no address, just a phone number and a very general explanation of the job. But hey, this gal needs a job! I called yesterday and left a message. A lady called back a few hours later and asked a few questions about my background and then said, "Can you come in this afternoon or tomorrow?" I was a bit flustered and told her tomorrow (today) would be better. She asked me to bring a resume.
Red flag 1: Who asks you to come in for an interview before they've seen your resume?
So I hang up and shrug my shoulders. Weird, but I guess it was my friendly voice and consummate charm that won them over. :) Michael came home and I told him about the interview as well as the location. He raised his eyebrows and gave a low whistle.
Red flag 2: When your optimistic husband raises his eyebrows and gives a low whistle, that is not good.
Turns out this location is not close to our house (30 miles) and is also in a rough area of Dallas. Last night I started feeling really weird about the whole thing and mentioned to Michael, "Ya know, it's a little scary isn't it? Any serial killer could put an ad in the paper and lure innocent, young funemployeds to a deserted location..." He told me to skip the interview but I blamed my paranoia on just finishing the final Harry Potter book (more about THAT later)!
Red flag 3: Possible interview with a serial killer. (And after driving 30 miles, no less!)
This morning I woke up early and ran several errands so I could dedicate the afternoon to the job interview. I left an hour early and as I was driving I kept fearing the worst. After I turned onto the street I noticed Michael was right: The area was seedy. But it was worse than that.
Red flag 4: Job location in a seedy area...
Red flag 5: in a deserted strip mall....
Red flag 6: with blacked out windows.
Aw HELL no. I drove past it not once, not twice, but four times. Each time I kept looking for a silver lining but realized I was actually looking for a silver bullet to come flying through my window. I know I have no right to be picky right now but this was too much. I went back and forth on whether I was going to go in and then remembered I would be filling out an application that would ask for my address, social security number, etc. After discussing it with Michael (who said "Absolutely not!") and then hearing the same statement from my mom, I did an about face and headed home.
I didn't want to be a complete jerk so I called the place to let them know I was not going to make it. It was then that I noticed their message did not give the name of the company.
Red flag 7: If your voice message does not include the name of your company, you are most assuredly a serial killer.
So 7 red flags later (and I believe I'm being generous, in my head I counted 13), I am back at home, still unemployed, but alive. And that? Makes all the difference.
7 comments:
That is NUTS!!!
And I am THRILLED that you are finishing out Harry Potter. We must discuss.
That's freakin sketchy! Ugh...glad you skipped that one and went home. Some fantastic job is still waiting for you!!
I JUST started that blog and I am still trying to figure it all out. My parents wanted updates on the house and baby, so I figured this was the easiest solution!
Agh!!! NERVOUS! So glad you didn't stop. I kinda like reading your blog and I dont know how much kidnappers would let you continue to do the blog. Creepy! Seriously, glad you're okay.
And I picked up the first three Harry Potter books at my mom's tonight for my work trip this week! (You'd be surprised how much one can read during flight delays). Harry Potter here we come! ha! :)
I think there's a SF in Dallas... Our offices tend to be off the beaten path so it may be like an hour from your casa...so might not be worth your while..but I'll check! Never hurts to look and it hadn't even crossed my mind b/c I forgot we had an office there. If we had something like what I do open down there, you'd dig that kind of thing (I dig it so I assume others would.. whatever..lol)
Oh my gosh that's scary!! I'm glad you decided not to go!
Yay for finishing HP!! I am currently re-reading the last one, but it's going slow. I'm excited to see what you think about it :)
And, that is really sad news about Tucci's. I loved that place, and although I don't eat there as often as I'd like, I'm still mad at them for changing their menu!
Oh boy! That is really creepy, Meredith! Hopefully any other applicants made the same call as you.
We move into our home next week and Sarah starts school on Monday (sniff!). Can you believe it? We also have a name, but I'll email it to you later.
I'm glad you decided to honor the red flags and forgo the interview. Did she tell you what the position was for?
How shady!
that's pretty funny. i've never really of that before, but that has to be SO easy to run a scam like that. i kind of want there number so i can play detective on it...seriously.
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