Strangest Request I have ever had

1. 61

   Ohmaposted 14 years ago

   I replied to an ad for a Store Manager position recently. I was sent an e-mail this week by the talent aquisitions person of this well known company who asked me if I would be available to do a phone interview on such and such a day.
   I have never done a phone interview has anyone else?

   replyreport
   1. 62

      thirdmilleniumposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Phone interviews are as common as face to face interview nowadays what with skype and things.
      Don't worry, go for it!
      Best of luck

      replyreport
   2. 60

      benakoaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Phne interbiews are a very effective recruiting tool. Especially in this economy where talent is spread all across the country. Someone in ME can interview for a job in CA.
      
      Nothing wrong with phone interviews. As a matter of fact I prefer them as I can do one while on break at my current job instead of having to take the entire day off.
      
      Maybe the recruiter is based in a state other than where the position is advertised.
      
      Too many pros than cons to phone interviewing.
      
      (Now you cannot say Affirmative action had something to do with you getting the job unless you spoke with a stereotypical language and used stereotypical slang in which case you would not be hired anyways. You will not be able to claim your tatoos prevented you from getting the job and so on and so forth)

      replyreport
   3. 60

      benakoaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Maybe the recruiter telecomutes? Maybe the recruiter is from India!

      replyreport
   4. 59

      loweh1posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, Phone interviews seem to be the norm currently.  Usually this cuts down on expense travel etc and also filters out unlikely candidates.  Once the company has a shortlist prepared, they will call the most likely candidates in for a face to face interview.

      replyreport
   5. 60

      easybusinesslinksposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      It all depends if the phone would want to ask the questions or answer them...you can do nought but try!!

      replyreport
      1. 61

         Ohmaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         thats cute! I tried made it to round 3 Yeah!

         replyreport
   6. 0

      B.C. BOUTIQUEposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      they are very common, it was just catching on before I became disabled..
      They interview you by phone and then if they like you , you will usually get a second interview set up, the second being in person, face to face..
      
      do not worry about it, it is a very common practice, especially with big name companies.

      replyreport
   7. 61

      gramaryeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I had to APPLY for a job over the phone once by leaving a 5 minute promotion of why I wanted the job - all into an answering machine. I did get invited for an interview but had found a better job while I waited. It really felt weird!

      replyreport
      1. 86

         rebekahELLEposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         that would feel weird. I don't like talking to an answering machine. I've seen 30 second promos on news shows and radio spots.

         replyreport
   8. 70

      ddsurfscaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I have but only once, and it ws with one of the major fastfood chains.  It was a good job, they had profit sharing for the management, and in  a three and half month period of time i was able to save up two thousand dollars and still paid all my bills too

      replyreport
2. 61

   Ohmaposted 14 years ago

   Thanks thirdmillenium, its all new to me but yes I will go for it.

   replyreport
3. 63

   Wayne Orvisburgposted 14 years ago

   The plus is they can't see if you're nervous. So just don't sound like you're nervous. (That is if you do get nervous) Breathe normally and remember to smile. You can tell if the person on the other line is smiling or not.

   replyreport
4. 60

   theirishobserver.posted 14 years ago

   A friend of mine get drunk one night after having a row with his wife, unable to face her he asked me if I would go to his house and tell her he loved her....I did....we did.....and they got divorced

   replyreport
5. 72

   Ultimate Hubberposted 14 years ago

   I have done that a couple of times. Didn't get the job though and thankfully so.

   replyreport
6. 61

   Ohmaposted 14 years ago

   Benakoa and Wayne thanks for the good advice
   Irish I am not sure I understand the relevence but I am sure there is in interesting tale in that
   Ultimate I actually do hope I get the position. I really need to go back to work. My hubby and I are suffering from to much closeness and since he is disabled I need to get out of the house.

   replyreport
   1. 63

      TheGlassSpiderposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Are we living the same life?? I wish you the best of luck!!

      replyreport
      1. 61

         Ohmaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         GlassSpider
         For your sake I hope not. I woudn't wish my life on anyone!

         replyreport
         1. 63

            TheGlassSpiderposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            Well that just cinches it, we ARE living the same roller coaster of a life

            replyreport
7. 56

   wrenfrost56posted 14 years ago

   An interview over the phone could work to your advantage. You could write down some questions they maybe likely to ask you along with your answers, that way you can refer to your notes and answers. Which you can't do face to face. Good luck.

   replyreport
8. 68

   Flightkeeperposted 14 years ago

   A phone interview isn't unusual, it's actually used to whittle away on a large list of applicants they are interested in.  Good luck!

   replyreport
9. 61

   readytoescapeposted 14 years ago

   Phone interviews have become quite common as of late. They are like a second round qualifier, if your resume or application gets noticed you will get a call. Some of these are in depth, others are usually performed by HR departments as prescreening. If you make through this process, you may get a face-to-face interview with the hiring authority.
   
   I have had experiences with multiple telephone interviews, first a prescreening with HR department, then the HR manager, then a conference call with HR and the Hiring Authorities and finally in-person interviews singularly and then by committee.

   replyreport
10. 86

    wychicposted 14 years ago

    I've had a ton of phone and Skype interviews...but then again, I am a freelancer and I live out in the middle of nowhere. When I did VA work everyone wanted to talk to me before they hired me, and now anyone with a large project or ongoing work generally wants to talk to me before handing it over to me. It's more convenient for everyone concerned than meeting in person, and in the case of distance is a great way for a potential employer to connect with you and get a feel for what kind of person you are. I agree that writing down answers to some common questions is a good idea if you're worried about it, but don't forget to just be yourself, especially since you're applying for a management position.

    replyreport
11. 93

    habeeposted 14 years ago

    I've done lots of phone interviews for articles I've been assigned. I found, however, that email usually worked better for me and for the person being interviewed.

    replyreport
12. 81

    manlypoetrymanposted 14 years ago

    Try this as a suggestion...if no one has told you this tip yet on "Phone Interviews"
    
    Human Resource Management Phone Interview/Conversation Tip: Smile while you are talking...believe it or not...you can tell the differance on the other end of the phone...it helps radiate confidence, positive attitude, good personality, etc. in your voice. It is even recommended to have a mirror in front of you to be sure you are smiling the whole time.
    
    Best of fortune...and Success to you in your Phone Interview.

    replyreport
    1. 72

       wyanjenposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Yes! Great advice, this is true.
       
       Good luck

       replyreport
13. 61

    Ohmaposted 14 years ago

    Thanks Everyone
    I appreciate all the wonderful advice, and insights. Cross your fingers for me I really need this to work out. The position is right up my alley, close to home, and the company has been around forever.
    Send me good Hubbervibes on this one!

    replyreport
    1. 60

       pooja0908posted 14 years agoin reply to this

       all the best for interview

       replyreport
14. 61

    Ohmaposted 14 years ago

    Thanks everyone for wishing me well! It must have gone ok she said I made it to the second round which was an online assesment that took me two hrs. Now I am crossing my fingers again!

    replyreport
15. 60

    theirishobserver.posted 14 years ago

    I once phoned one of those chat lines, and I was asked if I was going to pay with American Express...is that a telephone interview...sort of

    replyreport
16. 61

    Ohmaposted 14 years ago

    Loweh1
    I sort of figured that is what was going on.
    I am now waiting for a reply to my assesment. I am crossing my fingers. I would love to have this position.
    
    Irish Yeah sort of I guess maybe?

    replyreport
17. 61

    Ohmaposted 14 years ago

    Yippee! Made it to the third portion of the interview process. I have a face to face interview tomorrow!!!
    
    P.S. Thanks Marissa Wright after reading your hub about Resume Writing I immediately updated mine. This is the first company I sent the updated one too.

    replyreport
18. 55

    Dame Scribeposted 14 years ago

    Good luck, Ohma sounds like you're doing fantastically!

    replyreport
19. 61

    Ohmaposted 14 years ago

    Thank-you Dame Scribe, You have no idea how badly I need this job. I have been out of work since Sept. and it is getting really tight at my house if you know what I mean.

    replyreport
20. 61

    Ohmaposted 14 years ago

    Thanks B.c.

    replyreport
21. 61

    Ohmaposted 14 years ago

    Well I got this Job!! Just found out this morning. Starts Monday and I am so excited!

    replyreport
    1. 86

       rebekahELLEposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       congrats!  I think phone interviews are popular now as pre-screening because there are so many applicants.  also group interviews are popular for this reason to screen those who are most interested and qualified.
       
       good luck with your new position!

       replyreport
    2. 61

       gramaryeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Congratulations!

       replyreport
22. 61

    Ohmaposted 14 years ago

    Thanks rebekaELLE I am overjoyed!

    replyreport
23. 61

    Ohmaposted 14 years ago

    gramarye yes it felt extremly wierd. but it woked out good for me!

    replyreport