On (In)Gratitude and (Im)Maturity

By Alex Greenwood

I received an email from LinkedIn recently, suggesting I congratulate “Jane Smith” (not her real name, obviously) on a high-profile position with a respected institution. I was stunned.

Why? Because “Jane Smith” was fresh out of college, and not twelve months earlier she had implored me to help her find a job–any job.

I’d worked in proximity with “Jane” on a project for a client, and figured that though she was indeed young and a tad immature, she deserved a shot at a job–especially in this tight economy. So, I spoke on her behalf to a client, who agreed to interview “Jane” for an open position. It wasn’t a high-prestige job, and it didn’t pay the precocious “Jane” what she wanted, but it was steady work.

“Jane” agreed to the interview.

The day of the interview, my client contacted me and said “Jane” was a no-call, no-show. She never went to the interview, never emailed, called or sent so much as a tweet telling my client she was going to ditch the meeting; nor did she ever apologize. That made me look just dandy with my client, I assure you. I emailed “Jane” and asked why she didn’t go or at least let my client know she was no longer interested.

No response.

I did a little research and found out that in between agreeing to the interview and the date for which it was scheduled “Jane” had apparently scored a job that was probably a better fit than the one offered by my client. Good for her; but I was dismayed at the rudeness and immaturity she demonstrated to my client and me. I stuck my neck out for her, and she made me (and herself) look foolish. I was stunned by her immaturity and ingratitude.

So, fast forward a year and imagine my further dismay to find out “Jane” was just promoted to a job requiring strong social skills that most people ten years older than her don’t often get. Color me flabbergasted (and what her boss was thinking when making this decision is beyond me).

Certainly “Jane” is smart, but if the networking and social skills she demonstrated previously are any indication, “Jane” will eventually make a similar mistake–and do it to someone who has a longer memory than mine. I don’t wish her ill, but I do hope she grows up–a lot. God only knows how many other people she carelessly disregarded climbing the ladder. The old saying about being good to “people on your way up…” comes to mind.

Needless to say, I did not congratulate her on LinkedIn.