Job different than stated --Hoping Mark or Mike will chime in

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified)
in

To clarify: the recuiter works for a recruiting firm and is receiving a commission for finding a candidate to fill a position.

I was contacted by a recruiter with a hybrid job to fill. At the first interview I confirmed the position with the hiring manager was hybrid. The hiring manager told me the position was not hybrid but they were open to a hybrid arrangement because the recruiter told them he had found a candidate (me) who was an excellent fit but requires a hybrid arrangement with 3 days per week in the office (I never said I require anything related to a hybrid schedule). I told the hiring manager that I never said that and that I was sure we could work something out. I was saying that to avoid discussing things too specific for a first interview, also we know it's easy to rule me out before they've decided I'm the person they want to hire.

I went to a second interview and they said they'd send me an offer. They sent an offer that was typical of offers I usually receive. It did lack the work location. The hiring manager said to email him with any questions about the offer. I immediately emailed about the work location because that is material to my decision to accept or reject the decision. I received a nearly immediate response saying that the recruiter miscommunicated that the position was hybrid. Some will call me cynical but I find it hard to believe the recruiter made a "mistake". The job description (from the recruiting agency) said hybrid, he told me it was hybrid, and told them "I have someone but he wants to come into the office 3 days a week (I certainly never said that). In my view, the recruiter had a hard time finding a candidate willing to make the drive to the tiny town where this company is located so he started advertising it as hybrid to make it easier, then lied to the hiring company as if the candidate is asking for a concession from the company.

My question is as follows: Do I reject the offer since I was lied to? I recall a podcast (It could have been in the interviewing series talking about "playing the game" in interviews) where Mark or Mike was interviewing someone and walked them around the office and the candidate ran into someone they worked with previously. The position where they met the person was not on their resume and they said it was because they only worked there a short time. I recall the story on the podcast ended with Mark or Mike walking the candidate out and thanking them for coming in and eliminating them as a candiate. Do I hold these companies to the same standards that they hold me to? 

I appreciate everyones input.

 

 

Submitted by Joseph Beckenbach on Saturday October 19th, 2024 9:14 am

Had this happen once, where a recruiter blatantly misrepresented my experience to the hiring manager and my negotiating position and criteria come offer time.
I sat down with the hiring manager and told him straight-up: "I'm sorry but I have to withdraw.  The recruiter representing me has clearly and deliberately lied to you about me, and to me about you.  He's breached his firm's contract with me, and probably also with you.  Please let me know when your exclusion period with this recruiter ends, so we can continue this conversation without outside interference."
I then let my network (and my wife's network) know about this recruiter's behavior, and cut ties with that firm.  I went independent not long after;  never did get to continue that hiring conversation, but did keep good relations with that manager and his company.  Didn't pursue breach-of-contract suit against the recruiter and his firm since I had much better things to do with my time.  Don't know whether this played a part in the recruiter's firm going out of business about the same time, but I'd like to think it did.

Submitted by Kevin Cross on Thursday November 14th, 2024 12:19 pm

In reply to by Joseph Beckenbach

That's a great response. I had considered that but the lies were so substantial that id have required at least 50% more money than we had discussed. 

Submitted by Amanda Chase on Wednesday November 13th, 2024 4:24 pm

If you feel a company has been misleading during the interview process, it might be a red flag. It's important to trust your instincts and consider whether you would be comfortable working in an environment where you feel you can't trust the information being given to you. It's crucial to work in a place where you feel valued and trust the leadership.
And I believe the podcast that you are referring to is: Horstman's Wager https://manager-tools.com/2007/09/horstmans-wager-part-1-of-2

Submitted by Maria Gonzales on Thursday December 26th, 2024 2:22 pm

I totally get where you’re coming from. That recruiter sounds super sketchy. If they’re willing to misrepresent the job just to make a sale, it raises a red flag about their integrity. I'd say trust your gut—if you feel uncomfortable or feel like you were misled, it's fair to reject the offer. You want to work somewhere that values honesty and transparency, just like you do. Plus, if this is how negotiations are starting, it could just get messier down the line.