I interviewed for a position at a call center a few weeks back. I thought I blew it because of the typing skill test I knew I failed horribly at due to my bad wrist. All the other skill assessments (which was a surprise test, I was asked to come in for a brief meeting - nothing mentioned about a skills assessment) I know I scored exceedingly well and with my customer service, call center, sales, and management experience I figured I had a good shot at a position with the company, I just needed to show interest and ask if I could retake the typing test (the interviewer said the test was a one time shot) since I had not heard back from them within the alloted timeframe they expected to get back to people.
I was planning on doing this a week before my cast came off (which will not be until April 6th!), so the company wouldnt know I was “damaged” (and now corrected). I decided to do the surgery ASAP because I wasnt working and I wanted to get back in the workforce as soon as possible, but I was willing to put it off for a while if I had to (incase I got a job).
They called me and offered me a position and wanted an answer and I said YES!
But now I could knock myself upside the head because training starts before my cast will be removed - a week before! I cant just show up to training with my arm in a cast, and I dont know what the restrictions will be and for how long after the cast is removed.
I know the right thing to do is to call the HR/recruiter back but I don’t know how to explain the situation without ruining the chance of still being hired. So I call on my fellow Dopers for advice…
I’d say tell them now, rather than wait until they see it for themselves. If you tell them now, they may not hire you because of the cast, but if you wait until you show up for the training, they’ll probably turn you down for not telling them about the cast when you had ample opportunity to do so. It’s best not to waste their time, or yours.
I definately intend to tell them - I just dont know how to without jeapordizing the opportunity. I would at least like to present the situation to them in a manner that makes them still want me and not see me as another mass taking up space. I want to work. I know the business/operation. I want them to want me (again, not just as a body count).
They are slowly growing and this is the first class in several months, so I do not see another class for possibly another 4-6 months fm April. If I have to, I have to - but I would like at least a guarantee to get in on the next class. I cannot go too long without benefits. I already have been shopping around for medical insurance because the grace period will be running out at the end of this month. Now that’s gonna hurt!
Tell them that your doctor just now informed you that he/she had to postpone removing your cast until the week after you start. You had originally planned to have it off, but the situation is out of your control. If they’re so petty as to deny you an opportunity for that, then who would want to work there?
They know full well that the cast isn’t permanent and, unless you break a bone every 6 weeks, the situation likely won’t happen again. It’s not like you’re wearing a cast for fun.
Yes, this. If they’re like 90% of call centers I’ve known, they would hire you even if you were missing one arm entirely. The cast will be a non-issue.
I used to work at a call center, and there was a girl there who couldn’t make her original training class because of a broken leg. She was put in a later class. (I’m guessing she was under doctor’s restrictions, because you could certainly do the job with a broken leg. In fact, they’d probably prefer it.)
Let them know. They might prefer that you be in a later class. Then again, they might not care. Heck, they might be desperate for warm bodies. I sincerely doubt they would decide they don’t want you at all since you have a cast–and if they do, I don’t think that’s the kind of company I’d want to work for, anyway.
Good news - I spoke with the HR rep and let her know the situation. I gave her the information that the doc’s office gave me with apx time off (doc expects swelling after cast and said will be off 1-3 days when cast is removed). I told the HR rep I can provide a Dr release if they require.
She was very understanding and informed me that there was another client they will be training for around the middle/late April and asked if it that would work out better. I opted for the later class.
