Help! Bad throat and possible telephone interview!

Tish_P

The only thing to do is mix yourself a hot honey and lemon toddy (not too much whisky in this one though), phone them, and try your best. If you have a coughing fit half-way through you may not get the job, but you certainly won't get it if you don't call back at all.

Good luck and get well soon.

missdee85

And how can i tell them the truth without being able to speak without coughing - first impressions count and i dont want mines to be the one that cant talk when it is being advertised as a call centre vacancy.

A sore throat does not keep my off the phone as i regularly get tonsilitis but i get on with it as it doesn't stop me from speaking it is only painful.

My point was that i cannot get a word out without coughing and all due respect yes i would have called them back straight away, in fact i would have been able to answer the call but i cannot do that without coughing i dont want them to think that i think that is the way i make any calls relating to work.

I have tried to get an appointment for the Doctor but they dont have any today as i think it may be a chest infection which i have never had before and different people get different illnesses in different ways.

So please i am not coming on here for abuse or for people to be rude to me - if i wasn't trying and as you say setting myself up to fail would i post this on here, i dont think so. I want to work and i am trying in every possible way to keep my spirits up in a difficult time to find employment so i dont need anyone coming out with that to me.

bairn7

I'm not an employer, but I would take away a better impression from someone who called back promptly, explained their situation and asked to perhaps schedule another call in, say a couple of days, compared to someone who left it a few days without any kind of response. If nothing else, it shows good courtesy.

TBH, if it were me, I would call them straight away rather than leave it. Theres a good chance you may have already blown any chance of the job by leaving it for a few days without getting in touch with them.

Good luck

missdee85

Thanks for the advice Tish i have tried every single remedy i have at my disposal none of it is working - yet anyway!!! Have skipped the whisky though (none in the house and dont like drinking anyway lol)

missdee85

No its not been a few days it was earlier today had it have been a few days for whatever reason i would have called them back definately!!

Mr_Oink

missdee85 wrote: »

And how can i tell them the truth without being able to speak without coughing.

Well, you seem able to fire off posts in forums, how about *email* them - or if that is not a possible - write a letter and fax it!

Look, no amount of hand holding will help you here - if you don't do *something* you've probably missed the boat - but chances are, mention illness of any kind and you've kissed the job goodbye anyway.

Personally, leave it to your throat is better, call them, apologise for the delay and say you've been on holiday. It is, after all, August.

bairn7

I'd think you'd be fine to leave it until tomorrow. Hopefully overnight things will have improved

missdee85

Thank you Mr_Oink i was waiting for some sensible advice which you have just given me all i had so far was judgemental answers when all i wanted was what people would do in that situation but yeah thats a valid point that i could have been on holiday. I wish!!!

Thanks very much Bairn7 i hope so too i am never normally ill for any length of time anyway so as long as the cough is away i dont mind them thinking i am just rather husky sounding lol.

Thanks very much again
xx

Tish_P

First impressions count, but "the one who didn't call us back" is a first impression. Contact them one way or another as soon as you can. Hope it works out.

serious_saver

Tish gives some good advice there.

I would pop down to your nearest pharmacy and speak to the pharmacist. I had a similar problem before a presentation once and the pharmacist gave me these great lozenges that numbed my throat completely. I took one just before my presentation and I managed to last it out. I won't tell you what they were because I'm not a heathcare professional but a phamacist will probably be able to suggest something.

Otherwise - phone them up as soon as possible and tell them you are not able to do it right now either because of your throat of because you are unfortunately busy. Ask them if they could set a time tomorrow for them to call/you to call them so you can ensure you can give them your full attention. It's better for you anyway as you can prepare. Have a note pad and paper with and make a note of the interviewers name at the beginning so you can use it again during the interview - it shows you're paying attention.