Hiring an engineer
Hiring an engineer
(OP)
I own a small structural firm and last week interviewed an engineer with good technical skills. He will be leaving a large firm after many years.
Maybe I am hyper-sensitive about certain comments made during the interview. For example; I asked him how much notice he would give to his employer. The response I received was "2 weeks, that's all they deserve".
This struck a bad chord with me, not the 2 weeks but the statement about that is all they deserved.
The other statement mentioned more than once was his boss was an idiot.
I try very hard to keep negative feelings out of my firm and I have been on both sides of the fence as an employee and an employer. I wonder how long it will be before I
become the "idiot" and his attitude that his firm is not any good. He worked at the firm for many years and if it was that bad then why didn't he leave sooner?
If an individual as this is hired my concern is future gossip, etc. which can de-moralize a whole firm if it spreads.
Am I too sensitive to this? I don't think I am since it goes against my basic character. If I had been him I would have never made those comments.
Any opinions?
Maybe I am hyper-sensitive about certain comments made during the interview. For example; I asked him how much notice he would give to his employer. The response I received was "2 weeks, that's all they deserve".
This struck a bad chord with me, not the 2 weeks but the statement about that is all they deserved.
The other statement mentioned more than once was his boss was an idiot.
I try very hard to keep negative feelings out of my firm and I have been on both sides of the fence as an employee and an employer. I wonder how long it will be before I
become the "idiot" and his attitude that his firm is not any good. He worked at the firm for many years and if it was that bad then why didn't he leave sooner?
If an individual as this is hired my concern is future gossip, etc. which can de-moralize a whole firm if it spreads.
Am I too sensitive to this? I don't think I am since it goes against my basic character. If I had been him I would have never made those comments.
Any opinions?





RE: Hiring an engineer
I'm not sure if it's worth chasing down at this point, but were you able to ascertain why he moved on from his last position? Maybe it was due to incompetence, maybe it was due to overstaffing, but wither way he's not someone you want working for you. Tell him "thank you" for interviewing, but keep looking.
Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: Hiring an engineer
You can and should ask why a candidate is leaving. You have every right to pursue that line of questioning if you can't get a good feel for the situation.
RE: Hiring an engineer
-b
RE: Hiring an engineer
Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: Hiring an engineer
Another option is to call him im for a second interview and ask some tough questions, the ones you are asking here.
Mike McCann
McCann Engineering
RE: Hiring an engineer
Wes C.
------------------------------
No trees were killed in the sending of this message, but a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.
RE: Hiring an engineer
Based on his comments as presented by you, I would not hire the individual.
.
tsgrue: site engineering, stormwater
management, landscape design, ecosystem
rehabilitation, mathematical simulation
http://hhwq.blogspot.com
RE: Hiring an engineer
Thanks
RE: Hiring an engineer
After the second interview and if things go the same way - you will know you are not hiring him. You then might mention to him exactly why he did not get the job.
RE: Hiring an engineer
I would, on the face of it, go onto the next candidate.
During an inteview, people usually are on their best behaviours - in other words, their behaviors goes "downhill" from there.
If he is making comments like that in an interview, think of how much worse it will get once he starts working at your firm and is in front of your client. Would you want someone with that little control over what he says and how he presents himself representing your company?
"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
Have you read FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?
RE: Hiring an engineer
Maybe relatively recently they've had a change in management/structure and he feels the company isn't the one he joined and is angry both at his boss and the company as a whole. Might be worth finding out if he was otherwise good.
Inappropriate for an interview for sure, however I'm not sure it's wrong to think those things.
I dropped a clanger at the interview for this position, the guy still hired me and I hope 2 years later doesn't regret it (he's told me he's happy with me anyway)!
KENAT, probably the least qualified checker you'll ever meet...
RE: Hiring an engineer
Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: Hiring an engineer
I realize there are times it's not appropriate but I'd rather that than some smooth sales pitch.
KENAT, probably the least qualified checker you'll ever meet...
RE: Hiring an engineer
RE: Hiring an engineer
Maybe he has a legitimate gripe with his company.
Maybe his burning ambitions are being stifled by the company that he is in and it has finally brought him to boiling point.
We have all experienced the company with managerial incompetence.
Some people wear their feelings close to the surface. This has the benefit that you know about it when they are unhappy with the situation.
I have learnt that most things are not as they first appear. You may get great work out of this guy.
But...I would do as others have suggested and get a workmate as reference and reinterview him with all the hard questions.
csd
RE: Hiring an engineer
I've made a few stupid comments in years past, but I realize I was also to immature professionally to properly handle or vocalize the situation. Now that I've experienced that anger firsthand, I know it can affect the type of results I produce, as well as how I deal with everyday work situations (such as one-on-one dealings with clients).
I agree that a second interview might be warranted based upon coworker feedback, but sometimes a sour lemon is still a lemon no matter how many times you taste it. Ask him if he always agreed with management... if not, did he vocalize his concerns. Were those concerns heeded, and if not, how did he handle the situation?
Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: Hiring an engineer
That said, the professional thing is to manage to do so anyway, but I can definitely imagine slipping up.
Hg
Eng-Tips policies: FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies
RE: Hiring an engineer
But I was trapped as my visa only allowed me to work for them.
Frustration can build to boiling point, but it can often easily flip to enthusiasm given the right change in circumstances.
The hard part is judging if this is the case.
csd
RE: Hiring an engineer
I decided not to hire the person. Most of the responses received confirmed my beliefs.
Thanks again.
RE: Hiring an engineer
RE: Hiring an engineer
Frankly my dear, this is a no brainer. Not worth even your saliva.