Rule #1 why you shouldn't pad your resume and oversell yourself (Rant Warning)

[FLEX]

Because one day you'll actually get the job and and not be able to live up to the hype and some guy like me will bring the hammer down!!!

The Story Behind the Post:

As some of you may know, I am a Financial Controller for a small manufactuing company. My staff accountant just went on Maternity Leave for one year, so I hired a replacement on contract for that time period. The job entails weekly payroll processing using an online system (plug the numbers in and click on "submit") for about 30 hourly and 12 salaried staff, full cycle account payable, and month end closing journal entries and account reconciliations. Basic Stuff. Accounting 101.

So I had this guy start a full 4 weeks before the incumbant left for mat leave, so that he would have ample training (4 weeks of payroll processing and one complete month end cycle). He had a glowing resume, articulately written cover letter, was professional and confident during the interview, and provided references. I actually thought the role was a little beneath him, as he had previously been (supposedly) and Assistant Controller, but I figured "Why not get someone with a little more horsepower for the same money?"

So now it is time to process January month end. We're half way through the 3rd business day of the following month, and he knows I have a goal of 4 business days to get Financial Statements to the President, Owner, and the rest of the Executive team. And he has not done a single journal entry yet. He's totally lost, and I am finding myself at the point where I am just going to have to do all or most of it to meet my deadlines.

Add to this he has no idea how to use Excel (that's like a Mechanic not knowing how to use an adjustable wrench), he deleted a critical file and didn't tell me until it was to late to recover it from the backup, he still hasn't figured out the payroll after 6 weeks, and he basically admitted to me that he's in over his head.

I am so frustated I cannot express it in words. Me right now:

Should I fire him or what?

Honestly at this point I am not sure if having him here is more of a hindrance...

/rant off

-=FLEX=-

[Husker]

Fire him and refuse to pay him....he lied and obtained the position under false pretences..

[Redfox0099]

he lied and obtained the position under false pretences..

You know I have quite a few ex-girlfriends who would claim the same thing about me

[MegTheMog]

Well...I know a lot of folks who have been straight lying on their resumes. I can't fault them. With the economy in it's current state...you have to do something to make yourself stand out.
I lost a job a few months ago. I applied everywhere. I have an awesome resume as is....and no one called me. Not one person.
One of the jobs I really wanted had 234 people apply in the 17 hours it had been online. 234?! How can you even compete with that?

I would tell him you know he padded his resume. I would train him how to do what he needs to do..and give him two weeks to straighten up and fly right. If no progress is made..let him go.

I considered myself blessed to get my old job back. I cried, in fact. I know so many people that are just barely making it...and we all need help now and again. And if we all watch eachothers backs, it will make a difference.
Give him a chance to prove to you that he can learn.
If he doesn't catch on, move on from there.

Hope this helps

[JarZ]

Sorry to hear that.

My wife's job recently didn't hire a very promising young lady because she had lied on her resume. They check everything so don't get cute and try to pad anything - she said she was "still taking college classes" although she had stopped over six months ago. That little detail cost her the position - if she had been honest, she would have gotten the job. It doesn't matter what the "lie" is about - anything will kill your employment opportunity with them.

In your case - if he's totally unable to do the job, then yes you should fire him. But get a replacement first to you don't create even more of a workload on yourself and others at the office.

[Super T]

Can him. The fact that he wasn't quite qualified to begin with could be forgiven. The fact that it took him until it was too late to man up to it (the now permanently lost file, the late reports, etc.) should not be forgiven.

[vinny68]

If he's a temp, I would let him go ASAP. It's one thing when someone comes in and does a reasonable job but there's no reason to have any loyalty to a person like you got.

[Monster]

The guy as he is right now is useless. I'm sure you can probably tell if he is willing to give the effort that is needed to do the job right. If you think that he might be able to do it with a little more effort, then give him a deadline to straighten up or hit the road. If you think that the guy can't or isn't willing to give the extra effort, then get rid of him now.

Or you can take advantage of his uselessness and make him vice president of the company. Since vice presidents in most campanies, including my work, are basically worseless.

[FLEX]

Or you can take advantage of his uselessness and make him vice president of the companany.

OK, that was pretty funny right there.

Update:

So he comes into my office. We have a little heart to heart. I'm a blunt guy. I told him I was disappointed. I said "Nothing you are required to do is outside of the range of duties you indicated you were capable of on your resume." He almost started crying and left my office. Wow. This guy is 20 years older than me. So 15 minutes later he comes back to ask me something. I told him I would do all the journal entries except for 2, because they are the most time consuming and I just don't have the time. This is a huge "Hey, I'm throwing you a bone here, guy"

I said “Just tell me you can do those 2 entries by the end of the day”.

He said “I’ll try”.

I said “No, look me in the eye and tell me you will do those two entries with some confidence.”

He “Sorry, I can’t. I will do my best.”

WTF?

Some people are beyond help.

Anyone know where I can get a staff accountant in the GTA???

-=FLEX=-

[JarZ]

I'm no accountant but for someone with experience?? Even if it's not something he has ever done before, how hard can it be to learn?? He seems totally unwilling to give it a shot. Man up dude. Sometimes you'll have a project where you need to put your head down more than other times but this sounds a little crazy... and he's no spring chicken! You'd think he'd have more of a spine that what you describe here

[MadCharger]

Bah! If you were in the 'ol US of A, I could get you hooked up immediately.......

[FLEX]

I'm no accountant but for someone with experience?? Even if it's not something he has ever done before, how hard can it be to learn?? He seems totally unwilling to give it a shot. Man up dude. Sometimes you'll have a project where you need to put your head down more than other times but this sounds a little crazy... and he's no spring chicken! You'd think he'd have more of a spine that what you describe here

Exactly. It defies reason.

Him: Me:

Is it beer o'clock yet????

-=FLEX=-

[smoove7410]

Fire him....

[Gucci300C]

flex brother what are you waiting for? DUMP HIM LIKE A BAD HABIT!!!

[imahemi]

WOW jim... hummm... I think after the little thing when he come in your office and you asked him to do 2 things and he still wasnt sure and basically told he wouldnt get them done. at that point he seams to be unwilling to WANT to work. I say get rid of him.