Business Ettiquette

[Stasher1]

I'd like to get the collective opinion of the group on a situation I was involved in earlier this week.

First off, I'm a criminal justice major getting ready to start my final semester. As part of the course requirements, I have to successfully complete an internship with an agency/business that is somehow related to my CJ major. I scheduled an meeting with a representative from a local law enforcement agency as a sort of preliminary interview and to pick up the required paperwork.

I show up on the day of the meeting, but the representative with whom I had an appointment is nowhere to be found. After waiting an hour, I was informed that he had been called away to fill in for another officer. I was taken to speak with his superior who quickly touched on the basics of the internship and basically said there was nothing else he could do for me. He apologized for wasting my time, and walked me back to the lobby.

Now, I understand that meetings with [potential] interns are far less important than the multitudes of things that go on at a busy station/department, but am I being ridiculous for being a bit put off for not receiving an email/call cancelling our meeting? This is the agancy I would like to work for after I graduate, so I don't want to make any waves...but I'm not a teenager out goofing around on summer break. I'm a married man in my mid/late 30's with three kids who had to shuffle my schedule around a bit and find short-term daycare in order to make this meeting.

I sent an email to my advisor explaining the situation and asking if I should wait to hear from the representative or pursue other options. In his opinion, I am out of line and stated "[t]he fact that you are "put off" speaks volumes....".

So, am I out of line in expecting a call/email cancelling a meeting?

[shootermcbob]

impossible to tell from the information given. However, I would think that if the person you were meeting was called away to cover/help in another area, possibly the last thing on his mind was the meeting you had scheduled. Was a bank robbed, a murder committed, something else of an emergency nature? then, yes, you are out of line and should understand.

However, if he was on coffee/donut break and left you hanging, that is a different matter.

I would say at this stage to move forward and reschedule.

Good luck

[Stasher1]

It wasn't anything as serious as that. It was an administrative thing, not a crisis situation.

[Grey Wolf]

It doesn't matter what we think is correct , their the people you've got to deal with . Good luck in making the correct decision on how to handle this.

[deaknh03]

You should have been given a heads up, thats what people with respect do for each other, that being said, if you want to work for this company, swallow your nuts.

[Stasher1]

It doesn't matter what we think is correct , their the people you've got to deal with . Good luck in making the correct decision on how to handle this.

Unfortunately ( or perhaps fortunately? ), I don't have a lot of choice in this matter. I can be a touch irritated by an apparent lack of professionalism but, in the end, I need this internship to complete the CJ program and build a network of contacts within the agency.

You should have been given a heads up, thats what people with respect do for each other,

This is pretty much what I was thinking. These things happen, that I understand, but prior notice or even an email after the fact would've been a much more professional way of handling the situation.

that being said, if you want to work for this company, swallow your nuts.

I have to do what I have to do, but I don't have to like it.

[Lund Explorer]

Speaking from prior experience as a flight chief in a military police unit, I can tell you that missing appointments isn't an unusual problem. The higher up you go in this type of organization, whether civilian or military, I couldn't tell you how many times that my schedule was all FUBAR. Besides emergencies which we should all be able to understand, there were many times that an appoitnemt/duty ran over the time that I had allotted for it.

I can understand why you were put off, but can also understand why your representative said what they did. You're going into a profession where most of the people that you will be dealing with are actually going to fell put off themselves! During your internship you are going to get first hand knowledge of tactful ways to address that problem. Until then, swallow your wounded pride and accept the fact that what took place was out of your control, and most likely out of the other person's control as well. A simple email back to him to reschedule your appointment shouldn't be that hard.

Sample: Dear Xxxx, I'm sorry that you were delayed from making our previously scheduled meeting. At your convience, could you call me so that we can arrainge a new meeting date. Perhaps we could schedule it for early in your shift before you get tied down with your other responsibilites. Respectfully, Stasher1

[deaknh03]

Speaking from prior experience as a flight chief in a military police unit, I can tell you that missing appointments isn't an unusual problem. The higher up you go in this type of organization, whether civilian or military, I couldn't tell you how many times that my schedule was all FUBAR. Besides emergencies which we should all be able to understand, there were many times that an appoitnemt/duty ran over the time that I had allotted for it.

I can understand why you were put off, but can also understand why your representative said what they did. You're going into a profession where most of the people that you will be dealing with are actually going to fell put off themselves! During your internship you are going to get first hand knowledge of tactful ways to address that problem. Until then, swallow your wounded pride and accept the fact that what took place was out of your control, and most likely out of the other person's control as well. A simple email back to him to reschedule your appointment shouldn't be that hard.

Sample: Dear Xxxx, I'm sorry that you were delayed from making our previously scheduled meeting. At your convience, could you call me so that we can arrainge a new meeting date. Perhaps we could schedule it for early in your shift before you get tied down with your other responsibilites. Respectfully, Stasher1

I like the "respectfuly stasher1"

[Lund Explorer]

I like the "respectfuly stasher1"

It sounded better than "Have A Nice Day!"

[Captain Obvious]

I happen to know that in some business making people wait is part of the "Interview". Not saying that is what happened but it sounds like if you handle it correctly it might help you get the job.

Just and outside opinion.

Capt.O

[BrianinMD]

The email Lund is a good idea, but personally would not use the first line. Saying "I'm sorry that you were delayed from making our previously scheduled meeting." makes it sound like it is his fault. Also, do not use contractions in business message, go ahead and spell everything out.

Sorry Lund, not trying to beat on what you put, just giving my thoughts...

I would go with "I am sorry we were unable to meet at our first appointment".

[Stasher1]

Speaking from prior experience as a flight chief in a military police unit, I can tell you that missing appointments isn't an unusual problem. The higher up you go in this type of organization, whether civilian or military, I couldn't tell you how many times that my schedule was all FUBAR. Besides emergencies which we should all be able to understand, there were many times that an appoitnemt/duty ran over the time that I had allotted for it.

I can understand why you were put off, but can also understand why your representative said what they did. You're going into a profession where most of the people that you will be dealing with are actually going to fell put off themselves! During your internship you are going to get first hand knowledge of tactful ways to address that problem. Until then, swallow your wounded pride and accept the fact that what took place was out of your control, and most likely out of the other person's control as well. A simple email back to him to reschedule your appointment shouldn't be that hard.

Sample: Dear Xxxx, I'm sorry that you were delayed from making our previously scheduled meeting. At your convience, could you call me so that we can arrainge a new meeting date. Perhaps we could schedule it for early in your shift before you get tied down with your other responsibilites. Respectfully, Stasher1

I had actually sent a very similar email already.

[Lund Explorer]

I had actually sent a very similar email already.

Good for you!

Tell us when you get into that fulltime position. Will a guy with a Bass Resource bumper sticker get any slack?

[Bassn Blvd]

The agency I work for gets about 40 interns a year from around the country. Our training division does an outstanding job assigning the interns throughout the various divisions of our agency, but sometime sht happens and the ride along has to be cancelled. I personally get about 7 interns a year who ride with me and there have been times I had to cancle at the last minute. I've always called the intern but perhaps the person you were going to be teamed up with wasn't given your phone number. Mistakes happen and some people get booboos, but lick the wound and move on.

[Bluebasser86]

One thing I can almost guarantee you if you're going to get into law enforcement is you're going to have to deal with a whole bunch of B.S. If that is something that bothers you then you may want to rethink that career path. Some days it really bothers me but you develop skin as thick as rhino hide and the BS starts to roll off your back like water off a duck and you learn to deal with it.

[flippin and pitchin]

It's a shame you were not notified of the circumstances in advance. But it is what is.

Take this situation and spin it and turn it into an advantage for you. Reschedule the

appointment without complaint and sell your qualities which include commitment and

flexibility. Demonstrate your level of maturity and professionalism, even if it was not

provided to you. Complete your internship and build a relationship with the staff person

that was responsible to meet you, but failed to contact you. He/she will realize your

qualities and may be the advocate that pushes you over top when it's time to offer you a full time

position. Agencies these days are finding it very difficult to come up with qualified

applicants. I for one would hate to see you soured and your potential go to waste. I do

the new hire civil service background investigations for my agency. Good luck in your future career! BTW, when you become an officer,deputy,agent and someone wants to dig you with the donut thing, tell them that's fine but first before they speak they have to qualify themselves by first being: stabbed, cut, punched, elbowed, kicked, bit, stuck with an infected needle, spat on, sued, told a mother their child was just killed, watched a person commit suicide in their presence, investigate a four year girl's death by torture, remove a body from a river, do three years without a wage increase and then, being struck by a fleeing felon doing 90 miles per hour during a pursuit. It's amazing how those stupid comments seem to disappear.

[Stasher1]

I got a response to my email on Thurs. saying he was sorry for missing our appointment and he'd call me on Fri. to set up another one. Never heard from him.

Unfortunately there's no way around this individual. He's the one who handles this agency's internship program.

[Bassn Blvd]

Wow, he stuck you twice? It's too bad he's in charge of the program. The lady in charge of our program is top notch. Have you tried going to a different agency to do your internship with?

[Stasher1]

I've actually been trying to get the ball rolling on this internship since May. My advisor is the one with the contacts in the various agencies around here, and when I asked him if I should look into doing my internship at a different agency he said (and this is copied/pasted directly from his email) -

"My advice is cool your jets. Relax and sit back- this is a part time student internship, not a race to cure cancer."

The semester starts 8/24 and I haven't even seen an application packet yet, much less taken the psych, poly, PSU interview, background check, etc. If my advisor's not concerned, though, I guess I shouldn't be either.

[SirSnookalot]

You may view this as a business appointment but it isn't, it's an interview for a job. While this is important to you, it's obvious that the person in charge doesn't feel quite the same. Any time, but more so when the economy is slow, the ratio of acceptance is very low whether it be a job interview or a business person soliciting new business. At times I probably had 50 no's to 1 yes when I was building mine.

Last thing I would do is pay attention to my teacher, most are just not connected to the real world. Don't be patient, that breeds disappointment, get lots of resumes out there and network. In my day we had to "wear out shoe leather", you have the internet, all kinds of forums and many other tools at hand without having to leave home. Be aggressive you will find something.

[Bassn Blvd]

Snook,

It's not even an interview. It's a ride a long program that he gets college credits for.

[SirSnookalot]

Snook,

It's not even an interview. It's a ride a long program that he gets college credits for.

I think that amplifies my point.

I still wouldn't sit on my *** and wait. It's like fishing with cut bait in the middle of the ocean, you just got wait till that loner swims by. You get bigger fish by trolling and covering more water.

[Stasher1]

Snook,

It's not even an interview. It's a ride a long program that he gets college credits for.

This^^^

Unfortunately, it doesn't work like a "normal" job application process. I have to go through the same application process as the new recruits, but the intern program(s) also require a formal request letter from the school. I can't just take it upon myself to go looking for another department or agency to apply to without my involving my advisor.

If I was just looking for a job in LE it would be so much easier. Atlanta PD has been having a hard time finding qualified applicants, and has had to resort to recruiting at job fairs in neighboring states.

If I don't hear anything from the Capt. by tomorrow morning, I'll contact him again.

[SirSnookalot]

I am totally unfamiliar with the procedure that you have to do. I just know business and in business when you " snooze you looze", sorry......yeh looze is not a typo or mistake, lol

[flippin and pitchin]

Stasher's situation is a bit more complex than most understand. An internship is not a ride along. He is expected to perform some type of service within the police agency that qualifies him. The position is by it's very nature, temporary and requires him to have some type of background and clearance process in anticipation he will be exposed to sensitive information and or materials. He NEEDS this opportunity to meet his degree requirements.

Be persistent Stasher. It may not be the fact you completed the internship that sets you apart but that you were able to enter the internship at all, considering the road blocks you are dealing with. The average officer will test with 5 agencies before they are hired. Don't "looze" the faith.