Nicholas Murray Butler
Janice, registered chaos for pediatric heartbreak scheduled small charges and the unreasoning demands of their frightened parents. There has to be a better way, she thought.
And there it was, a major corporation's ad: medical sales representative, degree and health care experience required, send resume. She jumped at it.
Putting her resume together was a chore. But after three hours at the kitchen table with a pot of coffee and a #2 pencil, even she was impressed with her background as she read it over. The only question was what to put down for education. Janice had her R.N. certificate but was a few credits short of the B.S. she expected to complete in January. What's the best way to handle that?
Vicki, she thought, my friend the big-time executive recruiter, she'll know. Besides, I haven't talked to her in ages. She picked up the phone. After a half-hour's catching up, Janice put her question about the resume to Vicki. "That's simple," Vicki replied. "Put the degree on your resume, but don't put down a date. Human resource professionals understand that means you haven't graduated yet."
Problem solved, Janice thought. But when she brought the resume to a resume-writing firm for typing, they told her it would be better to say "in progress" or "expected" next to the degree and year. "A lot of older professionals leave the date out purposely to mask their age."
Confused, Janice called Vicki, who again assured her that omitting the date was her best bet. So she had it typed Vicki's way and faxed it to the company. A few days later, she was delighted to be called in for an interview.
Is this what I've been missing?, she thought as they talked. Twice the salary? Company car? Nights and weekends all for myself? Doctors who really talk to me like a real person? Wow!
The sales vice president who interviewed her was just as happy. As a nurse, Janice had actually used the medical devices she'd be selling. She knew hospitals. She was intelligent, organized, aggressive but pleasantly so. With some good sales training, she'd be a natural.
Everything clicked. Janice left feeling sure she had the job, and the sales VP called the very next day to offer it to her. She accepted. "Welcome aboard," he said sincerely, "we're glad to have you. You'll get the formal, written offer in a few days."
Three days went by, four, seven, ten and Janice heard nothing. Finally, she called and got the vice president's secretary. "Who? Oh, yes, Janice. Please hold."
Three minutes later, another woman came on the line. "Hello, Miss Foster?" she said coolly. "Yes, I'm the director of personnel, and I'm sorry to tell you that the job offer has been withdrawn."
Janice was stunned. "But, but why? What happened?"
"We always do background checks. Miss Foster, and we were unable to verify your degree."
"But that was a mistake. Wait, I can explain. You don't understand."
"I'm sorry, but the decision is final. And now, if you'll excuse me, I'm late for a meeting. Goodbye, Miss Foster." And she hung up.
Janice cried. The job was gone. They thought she was a liar. And they wouldn't even let her explain.
She wrote to both the sales VP and personnel director explaining the situation and emphasizing that she had no intention of misleading them. The VP called to say he was sorry, her mistake was understandable but there was nothing he could do. He wished her luck.
Don't BS about your B.S.
Education can be verified with a phone call.
