Friday, December 04, 2015

Is there anything worse than phone interviews?

As luck would have it right now, I'm in consideration for not one but two new jobs, each in a different area of the country. And as part of the process, both have subjected me to multiple telephone interviews with panels of managers where anywhere from three to six faceless individuals take turns asking some very complex questions--everything from: "How do you see yourself earning the respect of our existing management team?" to "Tell us about a significant mistake you've made in your life and what did you learn from it?" And then of course there is always time left for YOU to ask questions, and you'd better have some smart ones in your pocket that show that you've done your homework and care about the position.

Draining.

45 minutes each. Been through three now in two weeks, which in one reason why I haven't been terribly active here. Much of my free time has been spent researching not only the specific workplaces but the surrounding areas and even the people that I've known in advance would be interviewing me. But in the end, it all boils down to those 45-minute calls, where the pressure to sound calm and confident and have all of the answers is "enhanced" by the repeated "call waiting" beeps as other people who don't know that you're on these most important calls keep trying to get a hold of you while two dogs act the fool out on the deck in the background.

I want these jobs. I want one much more than the other, but I want both. If I get either one, I get to move, and that'll be more stress and fun...and stress. But it'll be worth it.

The one that I just got off the phone with was the one that I *really* want. I think it went well, but then again, I wasn't doing the interview and I don't know who else they interviewed, how well those went, or if they already have a person picked out and are just going through the required motions. They say that they'll make their final selection by mid-January.

Wish me well, please. And pray for me, because if I get either one, it means a cross-country trip in a moving van with two of the world's most annoying German Shepherds riding shotgun.

17 comments:

  1. !?!?!?! Moving !?!?!?!

    Hope you get the one you want, can't wait to hear about it.

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  2. Good luck, and remember, there's only one thing worse than the oral exam......

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  3. So long as they didn't make you turn your head and 'cough', the interviews would seem to have been successful.

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  4. Wishing you the best, and hope you get the one you want.

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  5. Aren't you about old enough to retire? Maybe you are younger than I thought.

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  6. What about the airplane? I'm waiting to hear about the deer strike and the latest repair status. Do you plan to sell it or come back later and fly it cross country? (What an adventure that would be. Though I would wait for summer if I were you.)

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  7. Hope for a Christmas present you get just the job you want!!! And if it's in Texas, drop by and say hi.

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  8. Best wishes! +1 for Paul. You would be welcome in Texas.

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  9. Hey Murphy,

    What part of the country are they in? I do hope they are not "blue States". What is the word on your plane?

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  10. I wish you luck on the jobs. Hope that they're not in blue states though having you as a neighbor here would be great.

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  11. Why didn't anyone ask why you want to move from your current location? Was that covered earlier, and I missed it?

    I'm guessing out of the rust (snow) belt? Consistent foot traction would be a good thing, I'm thinking.

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  12. I vote for a move to the Northwest. Idaho is very gun-friendly.

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  13. Been through a number of them in my day, the latest of which was about 3 weeks ago (almost one hour). Decision supposedly to come through in "early January." Would be a commute to near the Lod Airport (2 busses). Would like to get it, but got mixed signals during interview. My call: One of the interviewers is leaning for me, one is stacked against, and the other two could swing either way.

    From my own experience, seems that the ones where you are sure you will get the offer do not pan out, and the long shots are the ones that come through.

    Good luck! And, given what the move would entail, that applies doubly if you get the job.

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  14. Damn! First OldNFO and now you! See what happens when you allow Massholes into the Neighborhood? ;)

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  15. Anonymous8:15 PM

    I will be praying for you and I wish you the best

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  16. Dude! Hope they're both in my neck of the woods, or at least in somewhere defined by the progs as irrelevant flyover country. But best of luck, in any case!

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