Saturday & Sunday: Trained and received the materials I needed for my new job.
Monday: First training for first student assigned to me. Usually, they want you to do 5 hours of observation with other trainers before you go at it yourself, but they didn't have time for me to do that.
Tuesday: Manager calls me up to ask if I had mentioned to student's mom that I was new. I did mention it to student in this manner, during introductions:
"I'm excited to be working with you! We're going to be going through this together for the first time. Cool, huh?" Student was excited. I should have known better!
MOM calls center and demands a different trainer, as her child will NOT be paired with a new trainer.
Manager is not happy, but says to me "Lesson learned. Let's move on. We have a couple of students in the pipeline and we'll get you a new one soon."
Now, how silly would you feel after this? Really, it was an innocent mistake, but I hate starting a new job in a way like this.
Note to self: do not mention that I'm new.
One HUGE *sigh*.
Feeling slightly stupid right now
March 18th, 2009 at 06:22 am
March 18th, 2009 at 06:30 am
Shake it off, honest mistake. The sad thing is that you have plenty of experience to bring to the table and that new student might not get any better service with an *old* trainer. Have a good day!
March 18th, 2009 at 06:42 am
March 18th, 2009 at 07:49 am
March 18th, 2009 at 09:03 am
March 18th, 2009 at 10:00 am
Wouldn't it be hilarious if that student had previously had a new tutor unbeknownst to the student and/or the mom? ;-)
Plus, maybe it's just me, but I am not too sure how thrilled I'd be working at a place that got miffed with me for being honest.
March 18th, 2009 at 10:40 am
I get it a lot at my job because I look young. So I understand on some level not advertising "newness." I get looks of horror when people assume I am a fresh college grad or something. Anyway, if it comes up again, I would mention your many years of experience, for sure.
March 18th, 2009 at 04:36 pm
I spoke with the new trainer who has this girl and she said "it was all the Mom." Meaning that the mom is going to be a pain. Now I'm glad I don't have her!
Monkeymama - Just today someone thought I was too young for kids. When I told her I had 4 she couldn't believe it. Totally enjoyable, seeing that I'll be 34 in a few months!
March 18th, 2009 at 07:22 pm