Would you continue with this?

[u/Christen0526]

Hi all. I answered an ad on Indeed yesterday for a "confidential" company. They answered my resume and want to do video interview today. After seeing the man's name and the address, my fantastic memory popped into gear. After questioning him, I have realized this is the same man I was referred to 2 years ago.

2 years ago, I was referred by a colleague at that time. The man's wife spoke with me first, and she managed to reveal that they were replacing their "older bookkeeper with health problems and bad personality". I thought 'Fuck you bitch', to myself at the time. I'm also an older bookkeeper and I've got arthritis in my hips. I've managed to confirm I have the right people in question. I'm supposed to zoom with him later today. He says he does not recall our chat, but I recall speaking with him in the parking lot of the place that referred me.

Would you proceed with this interview fully knowing what God wife to me 2 years ago? It was so uncaring, that it resonates with me to this day. I think I'll just tell him my reasons and pass.

I just got canned from a job yesterday that I barely started. But I don't want to go from bad to worse right off the bat.

And since he's running his ad as confidential that means he's not retaining anyone in this job in less than 2 years.

Thoughts?

[u/TonyBrooks40]

Family owned companies can have that wierd dynamic. Wives/sons etc working for the company, dealing with day to day issues, and constantly complaining.

Personally, if it seemed like it was more than just that one comment (ie. That she's an annoying complainer) I wouldn't take it. I worked with an owners wife twice, one constantly complained, the other lowkey felt the staff was all subpar and worthless, while she was some genius with brilliant ideas we couldn't come to fruition. (Crazy web design ideas that would take teams of developers to make, long shot ideas that had little business value, etc)

[u/Christen0526 → u/TonyBrooks40]

Thank you for your reply. I began I wonder if this posted. My interview is in an hour. It's the same kind of business I just lost my job yesterday to. How ironic.

But it was the way she said it. I know her type. To can someone who is blessed to live to whatever age but had the misfortune of becoming ill, and having to medicate, is just cold. It's a personal injury firm. I just got hired last week at a similar firm and was let go. Maybe not the best place for me.

But if they are always looking for a new bookkeeper, same duties as 2 years ago, there's a problem there.

I'm 64, why even bother? They will find a reason to get rid of me too. I looked at website. No doubt a younger group.

I just left a family accounting firm 6 months ago, where the wife was the culprit, even though she didn't work there.

And this prospect today, they never bothered or followed up with me 2 years ago. Someone suggested I just pass. Avoid the emotional verbiage but just pass. I think that's the way to do this

[u/TonyBrooks40 → u/Christen0526]

In the future maybe just do it to stay sharp on interviewing, answering questions, and dealing with hostility. I interviewed on Zoom this past Tuesday. Guy immediately brings up the fact I'm 4 hours away (I intended to relocate and told him). He then says he needed someone to start next week (odd, he didn't seem in a panic or hurried to hire someone). I kept my cool and kept answering, but it was short. 10 minutes max but most of it was why I wouldn't be a fit.

It was strange. At the end I didn't want to come off as too desperate, just realized I wasn't getting the job. Didn't want it by then and won't send a response if/when I get the rejection email. (ie. 'Keep me in mind if things don't work out'. Nope!)

[u/Christen0526 → u/TonyBrooks40]

I hear you. I'm doing this interview for fun. I'll report back

[u/DaftGamer96]

Honestly, with the job market as it is, I would at least do the interview. Plus, you don't know the person who was being replaced at that time so maybe she was just being honest with how she felt.

Keep your feelers out but move forward with the interview. If no offer is made, you are only out an hours time. If an offer is made, as long as it's something that you feel is within your wheelhouse and compensation is fair, take it. Keep your resume out though, that way you can maybe drum something up in case it falls through.

Adulting sucks and sometimes we gotta do what we don't want to do to take care of ourselves and those who depend on us.

[u/Christen0526 → u/DaftGamer96]

Yea I thought about it too, just doing the interview. They will see that I'm older and pass anyway. I want to tell him why. But a girl I was just working with said not to point out what assholes they are. Lol

I don't want to work there. Legal firms aren't my thing

[u/QualityAdorable5902]

Health problems and bad personality don’t seem unreasonable as reasons to let someone go, maybe she couldn’t make it to work quite a lot. Obviously they don’t have problems with age or they wouldn’t consider you.

See what the vibe is in the video, you’ll pick it up I’m sure. Maybe even disclose about your hips and see what their reaction is.

[u/Christen0526 → u/QualityAdorable5902]

My point was how the wife called out the age and the 2 points. I was immediately turned off.

They don't know my exact age. I just imply I'm later in my career.

But it shouldn't matter anyone's age. But it shows they are judgmental.

[u/QualityAdorable5902 → u/Christen0526]

Probably you shouldn’t go as you’ve 100% made up your mind. I think it was a careless description at worst, and it’s hit a nerve with you, and you’re blowing it up to be much bigger than it probably is.

[u/Christen0526 → u/QualityAdorable5902]

Well it was a zoom interview. So I didn't have to go anywhere. I guess he's got like 3 businesses. Says he has a bookkeeper. I did the zoom interview. He asked if I would come in freelance to try it out. I said often people don't want to pay a true freelance rate.

My point is her comment gave me a taste of what kind of people they might be. Plus I don't know if she works at the firm or just is one of those types who involves herself too much.

But your point is valid.

[u/Limp_Service_2320]

Do the interview, but be totally honest and tactful. Don’t tell him what he wants to hear, tell him the brutal truth

[u/Christen0526 → u/Limp_Service_2320]

Well thanks. I did the interview and he cut off at 5pm to take the next zoom call. He wants to try me out on a freelance basis, I have my own D B A

Turns out he's in the same industry as the place I got canned from the vet day before. So when he asked me if knew that industry, I was vague. How ironic to be canned from a firm and the next day face one of the same.

But I'm not sure I want to do freelance with him. I had to reopen my unemployment claim and today I had to fill out the questionnaire, to determine my eligibility. Then if I throw freelance in their, it makes it hard to report.

I've had the worst luck finding a job with my skill set at my age.

But already knowing and never forgetting what his wife said that day, tells me a lot about them.

I talked to a pre-legal girl I worked with at the job I just lost, and she said it's better not to point out to him the brutal truth. She just told me not to work for him.

[u/QualityAdorable5902]

@updateme