After 10 months of serious job hunting, I finally landed me a production gig at a publisher of self-help books in North Vancouver. It's not as glamorous as my last work in advertising, but it pays $1,000 higher and it's just to start. (According to my boss, Lisa the Production Manager, I'll get an increase when I pass probation.)
I now work as a Production Assistant. It's different from my last occupation because I get to lay out long documents (not ads) and I'm looking forward to working on my first book and designing its cover and contents. I might get to design marketing and promotional material, too.
Glamorous or not, I'll remain professional. I'll give them the kind of quality work I am known for.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
Why I Hate Phone Interviews
In the last four weeks, I've received two invites for a phone interview. In the first one, I told (through her voice mail) the caller, the HR manager of an organization that offers courses in continuing legal education, that I was available on Monday between 9:30 a.m. and 12 noon. I didn't hear any confirmation from her. So, I waited for her call the whole morning on that day just in case, only to receive an e-mail at 4:30 in the afternoon that she couldn't make it and asked if it could be moved to Wednesday at 10 a.m.
Unfortunately (or fortunately), I had a real, personal interview to go to the same time on that day, so I replied to her e-mail if it were possible to have my phone interview moved the next day, Thursday, at 10 a.m. Two weeks later, still no response from her. I guess she's no longer interested. Her ineptitude is a sure sign of how professional the firm she's working for.
The second was more recent. By e-mail, I was invited to a "phone chat" by a consultant who runs a small marketing agency. I said I was okay on Friday between 9:30 a.m. and 12 noon. She asked if it were possible to have it on Thursday at 5 p.m. Of course, I said yes.
Again, unfortunately, she called 30 minutes early. I was already at home when she did, but my caller ID registered a different phone number and a different name. I thought it was a telemarketer (well, the name did sound like a telemarketing firm), so I didn't bother to answer. She left a message and said that she was using a different phone in the office (hence, the unfamiliar phone number and company name) and wanted to go home early so she tried to call me early. She even sounded disappointed.
But we both agreed to have a "phone chat" at 5 p.m. and not 4:30! How was I supposed to know that it was her? Anyway, she said she would call me up later in the evening. I waited until nine and I didn't even hear a single ring.
The next day, I sent her an e-mail apologizing for "missing" her call. I asked if it were possible to reschedule the "phone chat." Still, no reply.
(These are just some of the reasons why I hate phone interviews. It's so cold and impersonal that it doesn't allow me to put a face to my résumé. And I'm in no position to react accordingly because I couldn't see my interviewer's actions or reactions. Besides, I have a bad track record with phone interviews. For me, there's a 90 percent chance that I won't be invited back for a personal interview; only e-mails that say that I'm not qualified for the job. Assholes.)
Unfortunately (or fortunately), I had a real, personal interview to go to the same time on that day, so I replied to her e-mail if it were possible to have my phone interview moved the next day, Thursday, at 10 a.m. Two weeks later, still no response from her. I guess she's no longer interested. Her ineptitude is a sure sign of how professional the firm she's working for.
The second was more recent. By e-mail, I was invited to a "phone chat" by a consultant who runs a small marketing agency. I said I was okay on Friday between 9:30 a.m. and 12 noon. She asked if it were possible to have it on Thursday at 5 p.m. Of course, I said yes.
Again, unfortunately, she called 30 minutes early. I was already at home when she did, but my caller ID registered a different phone number and a different name. I thought it was a telemarketer (well, the name did sound like a telemarketing firm), so I didn't bother to answer. She left a message and said that she was using a different phone in the office (hence, the unfamiliar phone number and company name) and wanted to go home early so she tried to call me early. She even sounded disappointed.
But we both agreed to have a "phone chat" at 5 p.m. and not 4:30! How was I supposed to know that it was her? Anyway, she said she would call me up later in the evening. I waited until nine and I didn't even hear a single ring.
The next day, I sent her an e-mail apologizing for "missing" her call. I asked if it were possible to reschedule the "phone chat." Still, no reply.
(These are just some of the reasons why I hate phone interviews. It's so cold and impersonal that it doesn't allow me to put a face to my résumé. And I'm in no position to react accordingly because I couldn't see my interviewer's actions or reactions. Besides, I have a bad track record with phone interviews. For me, there's a 90 percent chance that I won't be invited back for a personal interview; only e-mails that say that I'm not qualified for the job. Assholes.)
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