20-year-old receptionist gets fired after 4 days for lack of experience despite insisting she was qualified: 'I don't understand why this happened'

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Jul 1, 2025 2:00 PM EDT

Let's be honest with ourselves. Most folks could be trained to do a wide variety of jobs, perhaps even your job, dear reader. However, people like to think that the education they have received and the years of experience they have accumulated in the workforce have somehow made them untouchable experts. The truth of the matter is that plenty of folks can learn on the job, provided that there are decent managers and employees out there who are willing to teach and pass on their skills and tips of the trade. 

Unfortunately, decency is not something that is easy to come by in the workforce. This 20-year-old receptionist was told that she would do just fine as a hotel front desk agent despite the fact that she had next to no experience in this role. Still, she was transparent about this, and her manager was confident in her abilities. Four days later, the manager completely changed their tune.

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  • 01
    HOTEL
    via Marten Bjork

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • It is worth noting that during those four days, the receptionist was barely given the opportunity to perform in her new role, further proving that she didn't do anything wrong. After all, she couldn't have. Instead, it sounds like management did not want to use resources to teach the receptionist, despite the fact that it wasn't exactly hurting business or workflow. Here's the full story!

  • 02
    | 20F started a new job as a receptionist (for the summer season) for a hotel 4 days ago and got fired today.
    via espertemaa
  • 03
    When THEY contacted about this offer through an announcement I made on Facebook where I specified I didn't have experience
    via espertemaa
  • 04
    in this field they said they didn't mind and were preferably looking for young people to teach the job to.
    via espertemaa
  • 05
    First 2 days I wasn't even working as a receptionist, they told me to help at the bar as a barista/waitress because it was a busy weekend(never worked as a barista). Overall everything went OK, they taught me a few stuff and I learnt fairly quickly.
    via espertemaa
  • 06
    Next 2 days I worked as a receptionist, my colleague taught me how to do registrations, check-ins, ect... I was doing the 4pm-12am shift so the place was pretty quiet, I just had to give
    via espertemaa
  • 07
    infos if client asked and greet them basically. My colleague was teaching me different things day by day so I didn't even get to actually work as a receptionist.
    via espertemaa
  • 08
    I'm proficient with PC's, I took notes of everything, I asked questions, they never told me I did something wrong or to not do something. Even the husband of the owner complimented me
    via espertemaa
  • 09
    because I was able to modify a document he couldn't, they even called me to the other hotel (they own multiple hotels close to each other) because the receptionist and intern there couldn't figure out how to modify a menu.
    via espertemaa
  • 10
    And today before work started I get a message saying that my trial didn't go well, to not come in today and that they will terminate my contract. When I asked why they said they needed someone
    via espertemaa
  • 11
    with experience because they can't have someone by my side to teach me. The colleague teaching me was doing the shift before me and we had 1 hour
    via espertemaa
  • 12
    where we were both scheduled at the same time too. They also have hired multiple interns so pretty sure it's just an excuse.
    via espertemaa
  • 13
    I did everything they asked me to, was always polite and took notes so I don't understand why this happend. I'm new to the work field so maybe I'm missing. something, and if I did something wrong I would like to understand what.
    via espertemaa
  • 14
    TLDR; got fired because I don't have experience even tho they knew i didn't and said they were looking for people to teach the job to.
    via espertemaa
  • 15
    [deleted] . You got used. Someone was scouting for short-term workers and saw your post. You showing people how to adjust the menu could have threatened a coworker who claimed it was impossible or something.
    via espertemaa
  • 16
    Cheezburger Image 10524062208
    via Unsplash+ (Eduardo Ramos)

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 17
    Work is also about who you know, not always just what you know. Don't waste time trying to figure out what happened. Just know that places who are hiring that claim to train on the job will treat you disposably.
    via espertemaa
  • 18
    [deleted] ⚫ They used you and had a plan to end your contract after a few days in advance. Fed up reality where employers are allowed to do virtually anything to their employees.
    via espertemaa
  • 19
    [deleted] ⚫ you didn't do anything wrong or bad, you sound like a good worker and most likely one of the workers there was way too particular
    via espertemaa
  • 20
    and did not like you so that is why. FYI DO NOT take it personal or worry about it..You dodged a bullet. People can get so sensitive or weird and they are impossible to work for..
    via espertemaa
  • 21
    Happened to me at an old job, I ask questions, showed up early, and tried to learn everything...The manager I was working under would always say I was doing something wrong or that I
    via espertemaa
  • 22
    was making too many mistakes and I could not understand because everyone else said I was doing great....That a h le
    via espertemaa
  • 23
    ex manager ended up quitting and the GM told me she hated me and was very bizarre of a person and wanted me gone... Some people just s kat jobs.. You'll find a better job with more stable people.
    via espertemaa

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