Woman killed during "job interview" she found on craigslist

A few weeks ago, I wrote a piece on violence in the workplace. Unfortunately, this week we collectively mourn an individual who was murdered during what she thought was a job interview. Last Thursday, Katherine Anne Olsen of Minneapolis responded to an ad on Craigslist for a babysitting/nanny job.

Before she left to meet with her potential “employer,” Olsen told her roommate that the person who placed the ad on the famed free classified ad board “seemed kind of strange.” Unfortunately, she went to the home of the sinister individual who placed the ad anyway, thinking she might meet a couple needing her help.

At the house, she was met by 19 year old Michael John Anderson, the sinister individual who placed the ad. It is not known what or whether or not the two discussed, but it is alleged that Anderson shot her in the back, bound her with red twine, and put her body in the trunk of her car, parking the vehicle in a park about five blocks from Katherine Olsen’s home.

Anderson first told police he had nothing to do with Olson's death. When confronted with evidence, Anderson changed his story, according to the complaint; he said that he was present during Olson's slaying but that the killing was committed by a friend who "thought it would be funny."

Anderson has been in jail since his arrest late Friday. His bail was set at $1 million.

Olson was a high school co-valedictorian and graduated from St. Olaf College in 2006. Her family said in a letter on the social networking site Facebook.com that Olson had used Craigslist in the past to find "kindred spirits and opportunities," and that she loved children and was involved in the church choir.

This crime, along with the circumstances surrounding it, is absolutely horrible. I think not only of the hundreds times I have bought and sold things on Craigslist, but also of the times that I myself have submitted my cover letter and resume to many good positions that I found on Craigslist.

It really is a sad statement of how things are that when someone who is doing something as innocent as searching for a job through a pretty reputable site ends up the victim of something that a bad individual thought might be funny. This horrible act of violence is a harsh reminder that we all need to do our homework first before showing up for an interview.

This is not to say that Craigslist, or any other site that has job listing is at fault. The fact of the matter is that in an unsafe world where millions of jobs and candidates are matched every day, the onus is on the candidate to be cautious and to check out the potential employer before going in for an interview.

Job candidates should be wary of jobs they find posted online where the interviewer would like to meet in their home or apartment, regardless of the type of job. If you find yourself in this situation, suggest to the potential employer that you meet in a public place, like a Starbucks or a public library meeting room.

Candidates should also be wary of potential employers who would like to meet with them at odd hours. If a potential employer requests that you meet in their office in the very early morning or after business hours, try to schedule it for a time during working hours. Being alone with an interviewer when there are few people in the building can not only be dangerous, but it can also put you in a compromising position.