Phone Job Interview

[phall0106]

I've not been happy at my job for some time now--lots of stuff that started out little, but has become a big annoying zit on the face of my office, and unfortunately there's nothing I can do to change it. So, I've been sending out resumes lately. Because my field is somewhat of a speciality, resumes have been going out from Seattle to Washington, DC and all points in between. I've had a few nibbles, done a phone interview or two, and nothing has stuck my fancy. Until now.

I got a phone call last week, about 24 hours after I emailed my resume and recieved the standard "We'll get in touch with you after we spend the next few weeks reviewing applications". I have a phone interview tomorrow afternoon, and since then, I've spent too much time doing research about the company (can't say at this point who it is), the town (Winston-Salem, NC) and everything from Craigslist to local grocery stores.

Not only would the job be a professional and financial step up for me, but by the sounds of it, Winston-Salem would beat out living in the hell-hole of Harrisburg. I really like what I see with the company--the financials are good, their mission is right where I'd like to be, and I think I would make a fantastic asset to their company. They're headed in the right direction, and I want to be in the thick of things.

I've created my list of questions (for that time of the interview when they say, "Do you have any questions?"), prepared my notes and am mentally psyched for the interview. I want this job. I want it bad.

So, if there is anyone out there reading this, can you cross your fingers for me? I could really use it. Thanks.

[Taters]

Good luck and fingers crossed for you!

[Quartz]

You've obviously done your preparation, so we clearly don't need to cross our fingers or anything like that. Knock them dead, tiger!

[gardentraveler]

Good thoughts headed your way. Please come back with updates....

GT

[phall0106]

I've already engaged in the What If Game.

Like what if I get this job...

• and Hallboy isn't out of school yet, and they don't want to wait until the second week of June for me to move and begin working?
• How am I going to find the money to move? AGH, that's expensive! Even renting a truck, packing it, driving it and unpacking it myself will cost me money I don't have!
• First months rent PLUS security deposit is HOW MUCH?
• Find a house when I'm moving six hours away? When do I do this? Before I move, and spend the money driving back and forth looking for a house, when I need the money to haul my crap from one state to another?
• What if we get into a high school that sucks? Is there a school district worse than what we're in now?

[BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed]

Originally Posted by Quartz

You've obviously done your preparation, so we clearly don't need to cross our fingers or anything like that. Knock them dead, tiger!

Oh god, I read this as "You've obviously done your penetration..."

See if that gets you the job!

[glee]

1. Good luck.

2. I know it's hard, but try to stay calm and relaxed. You'll come over better at the interview.

3. There's nothing wrong in considering a few associated points, but don't bother with the details until you get the job. Worrying about school districts is pointless unless you get the job. If you do get the job, you'll sort those things out.

[mmouse9799]

Good Luck!! I know the prospect of moving is daunting, but hang in there and don't worry about it just yet.

[Kuboydal]

I've never heard of a phone job. Is it naughty?

[Khadaji]

Sending lucky thoughts your way!

[Mama Zappa]

Good luck!!

If your job is really a specialty-type thing, then chances are you can negotiate some help with paying for the move.

Cost of living in Winston-Salem should be pretty similar to Harrisburg, or at least in the same order of magnitude (vs. if you'd moved to the DC area, at least). Winston's a good area - well-educated, good medical care (Wake Forest), easy access to mountains, bit of a drive to the beach but doable, IIRC decent employment (it's not just the "RJ Reynolds Company Town" as it was when I lived in NC).

On the kid in school thing, does your son have any friends who might take him in for a month or two to finish up the school year?

[Voyager]

Fingers crossed.

Is this the finally interview or just the precursor to the real, face-to-face, interview? I've done lots of them, from the hiring side, as screens.

Don't be depressed if the interviewer doesn't come off as well as you'd like. I find them very difficult, (as the interviewer!) and I understand that most people don't come across as their best over the phone. I could find if there was no match this way, but would never hire someone just based on a phone interview.

So, good luck!

[phall0106]

I'm afraid it may not have gone as well as I hoped.

Earlier that day I spent at the local United Way, serving on their Allocations Panel. (It's one of the places I volunteer.) There was an odd happening with one of the presenting nonprofit organizations which left me a bit rattled. I thought I'd settle down prior to the phone interview, but apparently not. One of the more important phone calls in my life, and all I could think about was how badly I wanted the job, and how afraid I was that I wouldn't get it.

To top it off, they called me on my cell phone, which apparently can get perfect reception every where EXCEPT a block radius of my house. They heard me fine, but I felt like I kept hearing bits and pieces of what they were saying and was afraid that I'd miss out on a really important question and give them an Idiot Response. I had a list of questions prepared, but I'm afraid I came off sounding like I read them straight from the paper (which really, I did, because even though they were simple questions, I COULDN'T REMEMBER THEM!)

They said they were going to conduct additional interviews, then select for face-to-face, THEN a "meet the staff" interview, but they were hoping to have someone in place by April (Hallboy doesn't get out of school until the second week in June).

I wrote very nice thank you notes, on my best professional stationary, but I'm not sure if it will make a difference.

Voyager, you may not hire someone based on an interview, but you might eliminate someone based on a telephone interview, which is my fear.

Mama Zappa, I've thought of this, but haven't been able to come up with anyone. If the situation calls for it, I'll give it some more thought, but at this point...

[velvetjones]

Originally Posted by phall0106

I'm afraid it may not have gone as well as I hoped.

My daughter had an interview like that. She cried (she was 20 at the time) and cried. Then she got put on the "waiting list". She pretty much had decided she wasn't going to get it and made other plans when the offer came in. She's there now and she loves it. Even though it involved moving across the country with 4 days to pack and find a place to live.

Take a deep breath. It's over and you can go back and make it better. You've done the best you could.

I wish you the very best of luck and hope that you get good news.

[Leaffan]

Wouldn't the company pay for the move? And if not aren't job-related moving expenses a tax deduction for you? Oh, and wouldn't the company provide temporary housing until you settled in someplace? All of this is common here.

[phall0106]

Originally Posted by Leaffan

Wouldn't the company pay for the move? And if not aren't job-related moving expenses a tax deduction for you? Oh, and wouldn't the company provide temporary housing until you settled in someplace? All of this is common here.

It's my impression that a company will provide reimbursement for the move, but not shell out the money first. Likewise with moving expenses related to a job being a tax deduction. The problem is, there isn't any money on my end up front for moving expenses.

As far as temporary housing, it's doubtful that it would be included.

[Projammer]

Recently had a phone interview and I choked on the question that always gets me.

"Why should we hire you?"

Just sayin. Have an answer prepared for that one. Bonus points if it doesn't sound prepared.