You know how when you are out of work, and you apply for ten positions, and someone gets back to you but you can't remember which position it is for? That's me right now. But here's the kicker. It's an interactive interview. WTF is an interactive interview, you ask? Aren't interviews interactive by nature if not by definition? Apparently not. Here's what to expect from an interactive interview:
Dear JonasParker;Thank you for participating in the application process. Based on our review of your results, we would like you to participate in an interactive telephone interview, the results of which will be provided to ABC Company so that they can select candidates for in-person interviews.
THE INTERACTIVE INTERVIEW
Participating in the interactive interview is as straight forward as using voice-mail - all you need is a touch-tone phone. The interview involves six "open-ended" questions that have been designed specifically for this position, and they are similar to questions that you would typically be asked in a first interview.
Before calling, be sure to have a pen and piece of paper ready in case you want to take notes, and be sure that the room you are calling from is distraction free (i.e. television turned off, children in bed, etc.). Most importantly, make sure that you call from a reliable telephone - please do not call from a portable phone with a low battery or a cell phone that may go out of range.
Try to ensure that you call at a time when you know you won't be interrupted. The length of the interview depends on the responses that you provide, but you should expect to spend at least 15 20 minutes in the call. Prepare for the call as you would for an in-person interview - be prepared to talk about your skills, experiences, strengths, and weaknesses.
After hearing each question, youll have three options on how to proceed:
1. If you want to pause the system for twenty seconds to think about your response, press the "*" key. To continue with your call, please press any key.
2. If you want to hear the question again, press the "9" key.
3. Or, to begin recording, press the "1" key.
Once you've pressed "1" to begin recording, you cannot pause or repeat the question. A recording tone will sound, and you should begin speaking. Once you've provided your answer, press "5" to end your recording. Please note, once the recording tone has sounded, you can't "go back" or re-record your answer. If you stumble over a word or make a mistake, don't worry about it. Just correct yourself and move on. If something happens and you get disconnected or have to hang-up, please e-mail us right away.
When you are ready to participate, simply use a touch-tone telephone and call 1-800-xxx-xxxx. This number is toll-free from anywhere in Canada. If you are calling from outside of Canada, you will need to contact us for an alternative number.
A welcome message will be played. You will be required to provide your application reference number.
Your application reference number is: xxxxx
You will then be asked to provide your ten-digit telephone number, beginning with the area code. Please note, this must be the telephone number that you included in your web application. If you enter a different phone number, you will not be permitted to take the interactive interview.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO SEND A COPY OF YOUR RESUME TO US AS WELL. Please email us a copy of your resume with the filename of 63012 and send it to recruits@abccompany.com.
If you have any technical problems or questions, please send an email to help@abccompany.com. I can be reached directly at me@xyzcompany.com.
Thank-you again for your interest in this position. We look forward to pursuing your application further.
Sincerely,
Me
Vice-President, Business Services
ABC Company/XYZ Company
What have we come to? They can't even talk to me on the phone now. They don't have enough time. And then, probably on their free time, they'll listen to these voice mails and pick out who they want to takl to in person. If they are this busy, what do they expect from me? Evenings and weekends? Have any of you ever had one of these interviews? I think I'll do mine tomorrow, since I have to doctor my CV anyway. It could take some time. I'll keep you posted.
That's crazy! I've never heard of that before. On the plus side, it allows them to "interview" more people than they would if they had to call people in person, thus increasing your chances of getting an interview (i.e., foot in the door). On the down side, it's hardly "interactive" in that you can't develop a rapport with the interviewer, which is critical in the interview process. Good luck with it... can't wait to hear how it goes!
I'm kind of intrigued by this. I think it's an excellent improvement.
Welcome to "I: Robot". I applied for a job, when in TO briefly at Xerox. They had a bunch of people come in and take a multiple choice questionnaire which explored atitudes rather than experience. I guess it's all part of the screening process. But you're right. It doesn't reflect that well on the company culture... is it a placement group? And Liz...? And improvement on what?
What the fuck!? Contact is getting more and more detached when it comes to employment. Remember when we had to fill out applications/bring resumes and hand them in person? Then it turned to mailing/faxing. Then it turned to emailing and submitting via websites... now interviews are being conducted through a freaking phone tree?? I hate those things anyway. It's almost insulting that they won't take the time to meet you or speak with you over the phone. More and more detached, ech.
An improvement over walking in and having them half-ass the interview because they don't like the way you look. This way cuts down on prejudice.
Except that they have to see you anyway and (presumably) do a real interview. They don't ask what you look like in the voice mail interview, so when they see you they will half-ass the interview anyway. With this voice mail stuff, it just wastes your time if they are like that.
Well, no, because then they'll have facts to persuade them if you are the right person for the job, if indeed you are. It won't be as easy to just write you off.