Stranger danger! We all know the rules. Yet, when it comes to online transactions that become in person encounters many of us tend to forget the rules. Be good to yourself and your family when setting up interviews for caregiving positions and remember the rules.
- Rule number one; not everyone is who they say they are. Be sure you do not have only online conversations with the potential interviewer. Have at least two live telephone conversations to set up the actual interview. If someone has posted on ad online that, she is a 42 yr. old woman seeking a caregiver for her 84 yr. old mother, but is really a 30 yr. old man looking for his next victim it will be harder to disguise who he really is over the phone.
- Rule number two; do not ever meet a stranger alone. Always set up your initial interview in a public place. Yes, it may be difficult for a family member to get away from the duties of taking care of a loved one, but you must stick to your rule here. If the person works, offer to meet them in the lobby of their office building or at the coffee shop on the corner. If the interviewer is home with the client and cannot leave for an extended period find a suitable public place nearby for a quick introduction. If the client lives in a condo or apartment or other community type living arrangement meet at the clubhouse or in the building lobby. Hint; make sure you know the area before agreeing to any meeting place even if this requires you to do a drive by beforehand. If the client lives in a single family home arrange to meet at the local library or gym, or nearby fast food restaurant or donut shop.
- Rule number three; always let multiple people know where you are going to be. Also, look into apps for your phone that allow you to privately share your location with people you choose. This can go a long way to providing a sense of security for you and your family.
- Rule number four; give out enough information online and over the phone to get the interview, but not so much that a stranger can find you offline without your permission. If you link, your work profile to your social media be area of how much personal information your social media accounts are providing. Check your social media profiles and update your security settings.
- Rule number five; look your interviewer up on the internet. You don’t have to hire a PI for this. Get as much information about your potential client and interviewer as you can and just do a few basic searches and see if the information you have been provided matches what comes up on the internet. Remember though they may be just as wary as you are.
- Rule number six; trust your gut. If you gut reaction tells you something doesn’t feel right believe it. Always, always believe your instincts. It is better to cancel or reschedule an interview than to go through with one that your instincts are telling you is a bad deal.
