職場で役立つイディオムを紹介するシリーズBusiness Idioms (B.I.)
第3回の本日は”Drag one’s feet”です。
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Business Idioms #3
Drag one’s feet
In today’s fast-paced business world things happen almost instantaneously; we communicate directly with people around the world as if they were in our office, we see news broadcast as it happens and company stock prices change in seconds. When it comes to hiring we often have to decide about the candidate before they leave our office, if we drag our feet the best candidates will often end up working somewhere else.
Drag one’s feet - to take to long to act on doing something or making a decision. Implies a lack of energy or enthusiasm for something. Someone who is not in a hurry.
“If we had had patented the product right away we would have dominated the market but we dragged their feet and the competition caught up to us.”
The offer
So you have interviewed for the position and despite you not blowing your own horn and perhaps because you are fully aware that you occasionally bite off more than you can chew they are very interested. They ask you to wait a few minutes while they step out of the room to discuss things in private.
Manager 1: Wow, he is a great candidate. He has the right background and the skill set we are looking for.
Manager 2: I totally agree, I think he is the person we have been looking for.
Manager 1: OK, so if we are in agreement let’s talk to HR tomorrow and have them draw up an offer letter and then schedule him to come back on Monday to make the offer.
Manager 2: Monday? I don’t think we can afford to drag our feet on this, we will run the risk of losing him to another company. Perhaps even our competition.
Manager 1: You are probably right, why don’t I get that offer letter put together right now and you take him for a tour of the offices while we wait.
As a candidate we often look at the manner with which the process is handled as a way to guage the level of interest and the level of professionalism the company operates at.
Manager 1: Thank you for your patience. While we were showing you around the facility I had our HR department draw up a contract offer for you. We really feel you are a perfect fit for the position and didn’t want to let you leave today without knowing that we want you to join the team.
Candidate: Thank you, I am very flattered. I really appreciate that and you have made me feel very wanted. It makes my decision easier as I can tell that this is the type of company I want to work for. So often companies drag their feet during the interview process and you are left wondering how serious they are about you. Thank again.
Manager 1: Don’t thank us. We feel it will benefit us all to have you join the team as soon as possible.
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