How Do I Protect Myself At A “Job Interview”? (Etiquette)?

Mizz: How Do I Protect Myself At A “Job Interview”? (Etiquette)?
I applied for a job on Craigslist for a hotel.
I live in NYC.
The “operating manger” contacted me and said that he was interested in interviewing me.
He said the hotel is opening in 3 to 4 weeks. He stated that when I arrived at the hotel, there would be an active construction site outside and that I would have to call and he would take me upstairs to do the interview.

In this day and age you have to be extra cautious, especially how there are many scams, so what can I do to protect myself?

Answers and Views:

Answer by FaithE
Have someone drive you there and wait for you. Put his/her cell phone # on speed dial and if at any time you suspect that the hotel manager is not who he says he is, excuse yourself and leave. If he tries to prevent you from leaving, discreetly dial your friend, who can call the police for assistance. If you are unable to dial his number, but aren’t back to the car in 30 minutes, he can call you and if you don’t answer “hi! I’m fine” and hang up, he can call the police.

More than likely, you will be fine. They have to have people lined up to start working as soon as the hotel is opening, and they do the same thing for other businesses, including malls, about a month before construction is complete. Doesn’t hurt to take some precautions, though.

Answer by E
Attempt to research the name of the hotel online. If they are going to be opening soon, they should have a web site, or there should be press releases, or some sort of online evidence that the hotel does exist.

You could also steal a blind date trick – Arrange for a friend to call you about 15 minutes into the interview. If you’re having a bad feeling that things are sketchy, take the call and claim there is an emergency, and leave. If things seem to be on the up-and-up, you can ignore the call. You might also arrange to call the friend back at the end of the interview to let him/her know you are okay.

Answer by Miss B
I agree. You have to do research.
You could possibly call the main office and see if they have the interviewer registered as the owner.
I like the blind date trick also.

Answer by MagickSinger
Don’t go! I’ve got a very bad feeling about this and your question tells me that your intuition is screaming “Danger!” Instead call the police and explain and ask them to check it out. If it’s legitimate okay. If it’s not, you’ve just saved someone else from being raped &/or murdered. Always trust your intuition. It’s your internal guidance system and how your guardian angels communicate with you to go ahead, stop, or make a turn in the right direction. Listen to that inner voice. A legitimate interview would likely have been a meeting at a nearby coffee house or other public area around lots of people. Never meet a stranger in private where he can lock you in and overpower you. He could even have a weapon. Your caution is justified and valid. Call the police just to check it out. If he’s a good guy, he’ll understand.