Mobile Phones and Interviews

The_Hurricane

Hi All,

I recently got a decent job through a recruitment firm, but since then I've always kept my eyes open for other opportunities. I was approached by a recruiter regarding a fantastic job at a great and globally respected company. I felt it was worthwhile going for an interview, however during the interview today the interviewers mobile phone went off at least six times; I didn't say anything but found it every distracting - is this a new ploy interviewers use?

Goldiegirl

Sounds like rudeness to me. I wouldn't take the job if that was the sort of culture that was prevalent.

The_Hurricane

Goldiegirl wrote: »

Sounds like rudeness to me. I wouldn't take the job if that was the sort of culture that was prevalent.

My thoughts exactly, the only problem is it's a great job and a highly respected company that I would like to work for.

CCFC_80

Downright rudeness. I would have asked them if they would prefer to interview me again at a more convenient time. Probably better off Not getting the job if that's the type of organisation you could be working for.

Caroline_a

My colleague is a Sales Director and her phone is always going off. In addition she also interviews people - usually at second interview level. Unfortunately during these interviews the business doesn't stop, customers who need to get hold of her are not aware of what she is doing at any time of the day, and they phone, and also her team text her as, if they are on the road they are not always aware either.

I think you have to recognise that it isn't personal, that it's very unlikely that company mobiles will be switched off just for an interview because very often those calls are the ones that generate the potential role's salary!

AP007

Is it a ploy?

No its the sign of an ignorant person and I wonder if yours went off what they would have said?

Caroline_a

AP007 wrote: »

Is it a ploy?

No its the sign of an ignorant person and I wonder if yours went off what they would have said?

Obviously never worked in sales then. Unfortunately in this economic climate a potential customer is far more valuable than an interviewee. OP, you really should not take it personally, it's not a ploy at all. Had the interviewer stopped, answered and chatted about next Saturdays night out I would say that would be inappropriate, but it sounds like the interviewer didn't answer - they probably checked who it was - and had it been important would have answered it.

There are a lot of situations where mobiles going off are inappropriate. In this case I don't think it was at all. Business mobiles are a totally different function than personal ones!

AP007

Caroline_a wrote: »

Obviously never worked in sales then. Unfortunately in this economic climate a potential customer is far more valuable than an interviewee. OP, you really should not take it personally, it's not a ploy at all. Had the interviewer stopped, answered and chatted about next Saturdays night out I would say that would be inappropriate, but it sounds like the interviewer didn't answer - they probably checked who it was - and had it been important would have answered it.

There are a lot of situations where mobiles going off are inappropriate. In this case I don't think it was at all. Business mobiles are a totally different function than personal ones!

No I have never worked in sales but the OP never said this was a sales job either or maybe the interviewer could have said at the beginning no one can take my calls so if my phone goes I am going to have to take it.

Any important person like a Financial Director could get a call too when interviewing its just bad business practise to answer the call when interviewing and setting an example.

Southend1

AP007 wrote: »

No I have never worked in sales but the OP never said this was a sales job either or many the interview could have said at the beginning no one can take my calls so if my phone goes I am going to have to take it.

Any important person like a Financial Director could get a call too when interviewing its just bad business practise to answer the call when interviewing and setting an example.

Agreed. If there REALLY was no alternative then the interviewer should have said so at the start of the interview and apologised in advance. Not to do so was bad manners.

Caroline_a

I don't think the OP said that the calls were answered... It may be bad manners to have a phonecall during a conversation with someone, but, certainly in the industries I have worked in for the past 10 years it is standard practise for senior people to be available via mobile at all times. Yes, even when they are interviewing a possible more junior member of staff! I've seen FDs do it as well as Sales Directors too.

Business in global organisations does not stop for anything as trivial as an interview - sorry, but that's how it is. Interviews will not be trivial for the interviewee, but they are often squeezed into senior managers busy diaries at short notice.

AP007

Caroline_a wrote: »

I don't think the OP said that the calls were answered... It may be bad manners to have a phonecall during a conversation with someone, but, certainly in the industries I have worked in for the past 10 years it is standard practise for senior people to be available via mobile at all times. Yes, even when they are interviewing a possible more junior member of staff! I've seen FDs do it as well as Sales Directors too.

Business in global organisations does not stop for anything as trivial as an interview - sorry, but that's how it is. Interviews will not be trivial for the interviewee, but they are often squeezed into senior managers busy diaries at short notice.

If they weren't even answered there was no need to have the phone with them let alone on!