Mobile Phones and Interviews

CCFC_80

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.

Sorry but I disagree with with just about everything you have said in all your posts on this thread. it's downright rude and ignorant.

If the interviewer can't leave their phone switched off during an interview then maybe someone else should do it or at least arrange the interview at a time outside working hours when there would be no interruptions.

As for needing to keep their phone switched on, I don't buy that as I'm sure when they are on their annual leave in the Caribbean etc, they wouldn't be keeping their phone switched on taking these type of calls.

Caroline_a

AP007 wrote: »

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

Not sure you quite get it. Important calls would be answered, probably with an apology to the candidate. Others would be ignored. No director or senior manager in today's business would be unavailable for any calls just for an interview... at least not in businesses that hope to succeed through the recession. My director gets emails and calls 24/7 - and is expected to be available for global directors in other countries and timezones whatever is happening.

These days it's all about business around the globe, and that means being available. All of the time. High salaried people really earn it in today's climate, but unfortunately most people don't see just how much.

Caroline_a

CCFC_80 wrote: »

Sorry but I disagree with with just about everything you have said in all your posts on this thread. it's downright rude and ignorant.

If the interviewer can't leave their phone switched off during an interview then maybe someone else should do it or at least arrange the interview at a time outside working hours when there would be no interruptions.

As for needing to keep their phone switched on, I don't buy that as I'm sure when they are on their annual leave in the Caribbean etc, they wouldn't be keeping their phone switched on taking these type of calls.

You are joking? Of course they do. Especially senior managers and directors! Well they do in my world anyway. I just swapped several emails with my manager and it's after 11 at night and she is on holiday.

AP007

Caroline_a wrote: »

Not sure you quite get it. Important calls would be answered, probably with an apology to the candidate. Others would be ignored. No director or senior manager in today's business would be unavailable for any calls just for an interview... at least not in businesses that hope to succeed through the recession. My director gets emails and calls 24/7 - and is expected to be available for global directors in other countries and timezones whatever is happening.

These days it's all about business around the globe, and that means being available. All of the time. High salaried people really earn it in today's climate, but unfortunately most people don't see just how much.

Sorry but I do get it.

I would find it 100% unprofessional for anyone to interview me seriously and have a phone ringing of the hook non stop.

Financial directors do not take sales calls as they are not the sale team so I don't think you get it that FD's etc would not need to take sales calls and the like. If they are expecting a call they say 'oh I am expecting a really important call and if it comes when I am interviewing you switch board are going tp put it through to me, hope you don't mind'

That call may be the bank or a supplier etc

Where I have worked the STAFF would deal with anything else and no when my management and directors go on holiday they are just that, on holiday and only contactable by another director

You talk as if EVERYONE that takes an interview has to be available for all calls no matter what they are doing when I think they need to take interviews seriously.

If these people are too busy to take the interview then don't do it, let someone else do it.

You and many others can say they can do what they like when interviewing but it would put a lot of people off when deciding when or if to accept the job offer.

Funky_Bold_Ribena

Caroline_a wrote: »

You are joking? Of course they do. Especially senior managers and directors! Well they do in my world anyway. I just swapped several emails with my manager and it's after 11 at night and she is on holiday.

Me too...and I currently work for a charity.

Mobile phones are a tool for work, yes it's annoying but it's the way that people do business these days.

Wellery82

I think it is poor practice to keep a phone on. In whatever role you are doing I don't see the need for it. It is possible to direct your phone via your PA or via the next most senior member of staff, in order they can pick up any queries in the two hours the person is interviewing.

For those who says business doesn't stop I take that, but they can make sure the call is started to be dealt with in their absence. If they were in a bid presentation or similar they would have to have their phone off, so why not for an interview? It is in my mind belittling the candidate being interviewed and isn't particularly professional.

If there is really no alternative then I think it is common courtesy to notify the interviewee before the interview that a call may come in they will have to take

Southend1

A lot of people seem to think the world would stop if they switched their phone off for a couple of hours. It says a lot about their sense of self importance but little about their competence.

I would be worried if my team were not able to handle routine business without me for a few hours while I am in a meeting.

As has already been said, a PA or other colleague can filter calls and need only interrupt in a dire emergency.

Caroline_a

AP007 wrote: »

Sorry but I do get it.

I would find it 100% unprofessional for anyone to interview me seriously and have a phone ringing of the hook non stop.

Financial directors do not take sales calls as they are not the sale team so I don't think you get it that FD's etc would not need to take sales calls and the like. If they are expecting a call they say 'oh I am expecting a really important call and if it comes when I am interviewing you switch board are going tp put it through to me, hope you don't mind'

That call may be the bank or a supplier etc

Where I have worked the STAFF would deal with anything else and no when my management and directors go on holiday they are just that, on holiday and only contactable by another director

You talk as if EVERYONE that takes an interview has to be available for all calls no matter what they are doing when I think they need to take interviews seriously.

If these people are too busy to take the interview then don't do it, let someone else do it.

You and many others can say they can do what they like when interviewing but it would put a lot of people off when deciding when or if to accept the job offer.

No, you don't get it. Of course FDs would not take sales calls but our FD (who is no different in business practise to my last FD) is always very involved in final sales negotiations, which can come through from lawyers, etc at any time. Hence they need to be available.

Switchboards (?? havent seen one of those for years!n surely it's just a receptionist and a digital phone system?) at that level are irrelevant - any landline calls are handled by PAs, we have been talking here about mobiles, and I've never known any director or manager with a business mobile who would allow any subordinate staff to use it!

My experience from the past 10 years is at very large, high level IT global companies. Their senior managers and directors all behave in the way I have described. They would be quite envious in some ways of your managers who are able to go on holiday undisturbed - I've never known that happen in my experience - I was once pulled into the office on Christmas Eve by an American director who expected that I should deal with something that was fairly trivial. I had booked it as a holiday and when she phoned I was actually in the hairdressers. No matter, it was expected that I went into the office.

Whether you have experienced that level of committment or not, I'm afraid it exists in all large multi-national companies. Anyone at senior level who doesn't work like that is quickly rooted out and pushed.

Lower level staffing interviews may happen without mobiles ringing, but that's often because the interviewer either has no calls or doesnt have a corporate mobile.

If you wouldnt work for a company where phonecalls come in during an interview, you are probably cutting off your nose to spite your face. I'd rather work for a fast-moving, busy corporate employer than one that thinks it can get away with slow working practises and still stay in business.

My point is that it may not be to everyone's taste, but in my (fairly wide) level of experience that is how it is. And if you want the job you have to suck it up, or alternatively miss out on some amazing jobs and experiences.

AP007

Caroline_a wrote: »

I'd rather work for a fast-moving, busy corporate employer than one that thinks it can get away with slow working practises and still stay in business.
.

I am sure they are plenty of companies doing just great and I am sure its different for different industries but never in any I have been interviewed in has anyone taken a call.

There is such a thing as a digital switchboard by the way. Lots of department stores have them

they look kinda like this
http://www.photographersdirect.com/buyers/stockphoto.asp?imageid=1813211

AP007

Caroline_a wrote: »

My experience from the past 10 years is at very large, high level IT global companies. Their senior managers and directors all behave in the way I have described. They would be quite envious in some ways of your managers who are able to go on holiday undisturbed -.

Not managers - directors! They would not be contactable at all unless another director got in touch with them. We could not call them at home or after 5pm anywhere.