When a friend isn't up to par, but she wants your help landing a job with your company.
A friend of mine wants me to put in a good word for her at my company. The problem is, I think she would be a terrible employee. What do I do?
Unfortunately, stretching the truth may be your best option at this point. Vaguely indicate that they aren’t hiring, or the position she was seeking has been filled. “They’ve decided to go a different direction” is a phrase that no one can argue with.
If she insists, or knows for a fact that an opening is still available, stay vague and make no promises. “I’ll see what I can do,” is a good one. And throw in some white lies. “I hear they’re hoping to hire internally.” “Rumor has it, the boss’s nephew Jack is lined up for the job and interviews are just a formality.”
Let your employer discover for himself that your friend won’t fit the bill. If you truly feel she’d be the wrong person for the job, the person in charge of hiring will likely figure this out himself during the interview process. So don’t badmouth her…just let nature take it’s course. Buy her a drink to commiserate, and remind her of all the reasons you hate your job anyway. You’ll bond and she won’t be any the wiser.
