Monday, February 25, 2013

What shall I do?

I've been applying for a few jobs. I sent my cv to an agency or two. Apart from that, I've been putting "part time" into the search box of the local Gumtree, and if something vaguely interesting has come up, then I've winged off a cv, just to see what happens.

Well, I got called for interview. The job is an administrative one. The advert didn't say much (they don't), but when the guy phoned, he explained they were a family business, with a couple of areas of interest, and expanding quickly, which is why they need more administrative support. He sounded nice, normal, competent. I can't really say too much (we all know the dangers of blogging - it's never as anonymous and hidden as you think), but the main business is well-established enough that I've looked it up on a website, and driven past it. And I could eat there. People have been eating there for decades. That sounds pretty well-established, don't you think?

So, this evening I was going to go and look out some interview clothes, but just checked my email, and found one from Gumtree titled "Important Safety Alert". It said:

Our Customer Services team have noticed something suspicious about someone you've been talking to on Gumtree.

The user who posted the ad 'Part time Administrator' has been reported for fraud, so if you are still in contact with the user, we'd recommend you don't go any further with your transaction.

If you have sent an item, some money or any confidential information to this user, you could be at risk of fraud. 



So now I don't know what to do. Bloggy Friends, have your vote. Should I
  1. Go to the interview. Get the job. Then ask what's going on.
  2. Phone the guy in advance. Explain about the Gumtree email. Give him a right of reply. If you're not convinced, don't go to the interview.
  3. Go to the interview. Tuck a flick-knife down your boot before you go.
  4. Phone the police, and ask them what to do.
  5. You must be mad to be even contemplating anything other than going to the police. These people have your cv. They know how many O levels you have. Just think what they could do with information like that.
  6. Walk away. The last thing you need is extra stress in your life, and any which way you cut this, it sounds like extra stress. There will be other jobs.
  7. Take Hector along with you. He'll be able to sniff out anything suspicious. They don't call him "Hector the Inspector" for nothing. Look at the way he demolished that packet of Special K. From Special K to Special Branch - this could be his big break. And if things get nasty, he could pee on the floor, distracting the villains for a few important seconds while you make your escape.
  8. Ooooh, intrigue! You HAVE to go to the interview. You have to get the job. You have to investigate the situation from the inside. It would make such a great blog post. Maybe a novel. Don't disappoint us, Iota. 
What do you think?

.

11 comments:

  1. Oh well goodness, a mixture of 1 & 8, of course! Look, Gumtree's like eBay, the slightest thing gets reported as fraud. As long as the interview is in a sensible place (i.e.; in an office, during the day, with a receptionist within screaming distance) and not in the bloke's bedroom or at a disused quarry, you'll be fine. Atta girl!

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  2. I agree with MTJAM - it could be a hoax. I would get in touch with Guntree first and ask what the basis is for the alert. If you can't, then I would phone them up and tell them what you've been told. If it really is dodgy, they'll put the phone down on you in a flash; if they're kosher, (so to speak) they'll be fairly outraged and immediately want to sort it out with Guntree.
    Just keep notes for future installments, obviously.

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  3. Of course, it could all be a front for a mail order porn magazine company. Ooh err missus.

    Darn - I've just realised I missed my opportunity to leave an Anonymous message with some juicy info on the company.

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  4. I would phone the guy and ask about Gumtree and express your concern. He may be able to explain, or as Expat Mum says, he'll just put the phone down or be arsy about it (and who wants to work for someone like that). And as you say, the only thing you've given him is your CV.

    Boring answer, I know. Obviously much better to get job and then blog about it.

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  5. Oh yes, get the job and blog about it, pretty please?

    (in other words, I haven't a clue what you should do!)

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  6. I agree with NVG- phone first. (but it would be fun just to go to the interview - maybe with a hidden camera?)

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  7. I say #4, although it they are anything like my police they will yawn and look bored at what a histrionic numskull you seem, while checking out the not-at-all-hot female cop next to them who is typing something into a computer and looking very ill-tempered.

    Is there a remote chance that the warning you got was a spammy spam spam?

    Or you could infiltrate the organization and break their Eastern European Slave Trade gentlemen's club, then find yourself splashed across the Daily Mail in tight pleather trousers and a big black coat. Make sure you have good hair when you're busting up the group so that photo ops are flattering. I'm thinking Roz from Spooks (Ruth always looks too apologetic, even if she is the smartest one there). Speak into your sleeve a lot. Glare a bit, too.

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  8. Sheila - I'm totally going with your speaking into my sleeve and glaring. Great tips for an interview.

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  9. Plus, PLUS! Take us all with you (also in leather coats, glasses, and speaking into our sleeves), and we can cordon the place off and say things like 'POTUS has entered the building' etc. We might even make the local news. And think of the blog fodder...

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  10. Well obviously blog about whatever you do. Otherwise what's the point, right?

    I'd be inclined to contact Gumtree to see if you can get any info. Though they probably won't be able to elaborate due to all the silly laws in the UK about saying anything bad about anyone.

    I'm not sure I'd mention it to the company since if they really are fraudulent they will probably have some kind of fast talking reply to any questions. Probably best to just keep looking until something else comes along.

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  11. I'm for number 7. Hector will sort them out.

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