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Persistent technical communication issues over the phone, how should I handle it?
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I'm job hunting and there's this company (in the states, if that matters) that wants to interview me and for a while we haven't been able to communicate because my cellphone isn't working and they aren't willing to schedule anything via email.
I'm gonna just use a mate's phone next monday but I was wondering how should I've handled that better in order to not waste so much time, and why so many employers are reluctant to just use email.
job-offer email phone
asked Jan 16 '16 at 19:03
markus
145
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
-4
down vote
favorite
I'm job hunting and there's this company (in the states, if that matters) that wants to interview me and for a while we haven't been able to communicate because my cellphone isn't working and they aren't willing to schedule anything via email.
I'm gonna just use a mate's phone next monday but I was wondering how should I've handled that better in order to not waste so much time, and why so many employers are reluctant to just use email.
job-offer email phone
asked Jan 16 '16 at 19:03
markus
145
1
for insight into "why don't they just email since my phone isn't reliable" see workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/59186/…
– Kate Gregory
Jan 16 '16 at 20:27
1
I just improved the question to see if it can be reopened. If not I'd like it removed.
– markus
Jan 17 '16 at 20:30
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
-4
down vote
favorite
up vote
-4
down vote
favorite
I'm job hunting and there's this company (in the states, if that matters) that wants to interview me and for a while we haven't been able to communicate because my cellphone isn't working and they aren't willing to schedule anything via email.
I'm gonna just use a mate's phone next monday but I was wondering how should I've handled that better in order to not waste so much time, and why so many employers are reluctant to just use email.
job-offer email phone
asked Jan 16 '16 at 19:03
markus
145
I'm job hunting and there's this company (in the states, if that matters) that wants to interview me and for a while we haven't been able to communicate because my cellphone isn't working and they aren't willing to schedule anything via email.
I'm gonna just use a mate's phone next monday but I was wondering how should I've handled that better in order to not waste so much time, and why so many employers are reluctant to just use email.
job-offer email phone
asked Jan 16 '16 at 19:03
markus
145
edited Jan 17 '16 at 20:30
asked Jan 16 '16 at 19:03
markus
145
asked Jan 16 '16 at 19:03
markus
145
asked Jan 16 '16 at 19:03
markus
145
145
1
for insight into "why don't they just email since my phone isn't reliable" see workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/59186/…
– Kate Gregory
Jan 16 '16 at 20:27
1
I just improved the question to see if it can be reopened. If not I'd like it removed.
– markus
Jan 17 '16 at 20:30
suggest improvements |Â
1
for insight into "why don't they just email since my phone isn't reliable" see workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/59186/…
– Kate Gregory
Jan 16 '16 at 20:27
1
I just improved the question to see if it can be reopened. If not I'd like it removed.
– markus
Jan 17 '16 at 20:30
1
1
for insight into "why don't they just email since my phone isn't reliable" see workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/59186/…
– Kate Gregory
Jan 16 '16 at 20:27
for insight into "why don't they just email since my phone isn't reliable" see workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/59186/…
– Kate Gregory
Jan 16 '16 at 20:27
1
1
I just improved the question to see if it can be reopened. If not I'd like it removed.
– markus
Jan 17 '16 at 20:30
I just improved the question to see if it can be reopened. If not I'd like it removed.
– markus
Jan 17 '16 at 20:30
suggest improvements |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
up vote
3
down vote
You provided this method of communication. You gave him your phone number. You are responsible for this method of communication. If your phone is broken, it's your fault. Nobody else can change that.
That said, phone calls are not a good way to communicate asynchronous messages. You cannot send a document by phone call and calls are mostly inconvenient. The chances of actually calling when the other one has nothing better to do are slim. So preferring email is normal. But it is your responsibility to make that clear. Don't provide a broken line of communication in the first place.
A personal note: I'm working in IT. When a candidate has a broken phone and does not give me a replacement number, that would be a big red flag. How is he to handle the tasks I assign, if he cannot find a way to fix his own phone? Even if it means sending it in for service. But just leaving it broken would have me thinking about his ability to do the job.
So next time, state clearly that you want email communication. If you need a phone number, provide one that works. You are under no obligation to pick it up whenever someone calls, you are not a call-center. But it should be working. Preferably with a way to leave a message should you not pick up, so you can return the call.
answered Jan 17 '16 at 7:30
nvoigt
42.6k18105147
Right. If the candidate can't get themselves a working phone number while job hunting, that makes me doubt their competence at the basics of normal adult living, which makes me think they probably won't be much use in any job more tricky than burger-flipping.
– A E
Jan 17 '16 at 15:47
@AE I don't get what someone so hateful is doing in here, but I got a really important interview coming up soon so thank you for reminding me just how judgemental you guys are, I needed this.
– markus
Jan 17 '16 at 20:36
@markus, I'm a hiring manager (interviewing 4 people tomorrow), and that's my genuine opinion. I'm not saying it to be nasty. I genuinely wouldn't hire someone for IT work who seemed unable to navigate the adult world, which includes such necessities as having a working telephone when job-hunting. Sorry that's hard feedback for you to hear, but you did ask the question. Sorry you find it hateful, but employers do form judgements about candidates.
– A E
Jan 18 '16 at 17:26
@AE I actually didn't mind. I did an interview today assuming that my interviewer thinks just like you and trying extra hard, and always will from now on. I personally think that it's naive to think about "the adult world" as some sort of challenge, but that's part of the game I guess. Good luck with your interviews and go easy on them.
– markus
Jan 18 '16 at 17:49
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
I'm not a fan of phone calls for several reasons, so I just insist they people contact me via email. So even if I had picked up the phone, I would have said I was in the middle of something and for them to email me.
It's too late to kick yourself about what happened. Make sure you have a working phone and ring them back when you get a chance. It's not a huge problem and you have valid reasons however inconvenient they were.
answered Jan 16 '16 at 22:34
Kilisi
94.7k50216376
suggest improvements |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
3
down vote
You provided this method of communication. You gave him your phone number. You are responsible for this method of communication. If your phone is broken, it's your fault. Nobody else can change that.
That said, phone calls are not a good way to communicate asynchronous messages. You cannot send a document by phone call and calls are mostly inconvenient. The chances of actually calling when the other one has nothing better to do are slim. So preferring email is normal. But it is your responsibility to make that clear. Don't provide a broken line of communication in the first place.
A personal note: I'm working in IT. When a candidate has a broken phone and does not give me a replacement number, that would be a big red flag. How is he to handle the tasks I assign, if he cannot find a way to fix his own phone? Even if it means sending it in for service. But just leaving it broken would have me thinking about his ability to do the job.
So next time, state clearly that you want email communication. If you need a phone number, provide one that works. You are under no obligation to pick it up whenever someone calls, you are not a call-center. But it should be working. Preferably with a way to leave a message should you not pick up, so you can return the call.
answered Jan 17 '16 at 7:30
nvoigt
42.6k18105147
Right. If the candidate can't get themselves a working phone number while job hunting, that makes me doubt their competence at the basics of normal adult living, which makes me think they probably won't be much use in any job more tricky than burger-flipping.
– A E
Jan 17 '16 at 15:47
@AE I don't get what someone so hateful is doing in here, but I got a really important interview coming up soon so thank you for reminding me just how judgemental you guys are, I needed this.
– markus
Jan 17 '16 at 20:36
@markus, I'm a hiring manager (interviewing 4 people tomorrow), and that's my genuine opinion. I'm not saying it to be nasty. I genuinely wouldn't hire someone for IT work who seemed unable to navigate the adult world, which includes such necessities as having a working telephone when job-hunting. Sorry that's hard feedback for you to hear, but you did ask the question. Sorry you find it hateful, but employers do form judgements about candidates.
– A E
Jan 18 '16 at 17:26
@AE I actually didn't mind. I did an interview today assuming that my interviewer thinks just like you and trying extra hard, and always will from now on. I personally think that it's naive to think about "the adult world" as some sort of challenge, but that's part of the game I guess. Good luck with your interviews and go easy on them.
– markus
Jan 18 '16 at 17:49
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
3
down vote
You provided this method of communication. You gave him your phone number. You are responsible for this method of communication. If your phone is broken, it's your fault. Nobody else can change that.
That said, phone calls are not a good way to communicate asynchronous messages. You cannot send a document by phone call and calls are mostly inconvenient. The chances of actually calling when the other one has nothing better to do are slim. So preferring email is normal. But it is your responsibility to make that clear. Don't provide a broken line of communication in the first place.
A personal note: I'm working in IT. When a candidate has a broken phone and does not give me a replacement number, that would be a big red flag. How is he to handle the tasks I assign, if he cannot find a way to fix his own phone? Even if it means sending it in for service. But just leaving it broken would have me thinking about his ability to do the job.
So next time, state clearly that you want email communication. If you need a phone number, provide one that works. You are under no obligation to pick it up whenever someone calls, you are not a call-center. But it should be working. Preferably with a way to leave a message should you not pick up, so you can return the call.
answered Jan 17 '16 at 7:30
nvoigt
42.6k18105147
Right. If the candidate can't get themselves a working phone number while job hunting, that makes me doubt their competence at the basics of normal adult living, which makes me think they probably won't be much use in any job more tricky than burger-flipping.
– A E
Jan 17 '16 at 15:47
@AE I don't get what someone so hateful is doing in here, but I got a really important interview coming up soon so thank you for reminding me just how judgemental you guys are, I needed this.
– markus
Jan 17 '16 at 20:36
@markus, I'm a hiring manager (interviewing 4 people tomorrow), and that's my genuine opinion. I'm not saying it to be nasty. I genuinely wouldn't hire someone for IT work who seemed unable to navigate the adult world, which includes such necessities as having a working telephone when job-hunting. Sorry that's hard feedback for you to hear, but you did ask the question. Sorry you find it hateful, but employers do form judgements about candidates.
– A E
Jan 18 '16 at 17:26
@AE I actually didn't mind. I did an interview today assuming that my interviewer thinks just like you and trying extra hard, and always will from now on. I personally think that it's naive to think about "the adult world" as some sort of challenge, but that's part of the game I guess. Good luck with your interviews and go easy on them.
– markus
Jan 18 '16 at 17:49
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
3
down vote
up vote
3
down vote
You provided this method of communication. You gave him your phone number. You are responsible for this method of communication. If your phone is broken, it's your fault. Nobody else can change that.
That said, phone calls are not a good way to communicate asynchronous messages. You cannot send a document by phone call and calls are mostly inconvenient. The chances of actually calling when the other one has nothing better to do are slim. So preferring email is normal. But it is your responsibility to make that clear. Don't provide a broken line of communication in the first place.
A personal note: I'm working in IT. When a candidate has a broken phone and does not give me a replacement number, that would be a big red flag. How is he to handle the tasks I assign, if he cannot find a way to fix his own phone? Even if it means sending it in for service. But just leaving it broken would have me thinking about his ability to do the job.
So next time, state clearly that you want email communication. If you need a phone number, provide one that works. You are under no obligation to pick it up whenever someone calls, you are not a call-center. But it should be working. Preferably with a way to leave a message should you not pick up, so you can return the call.
answered Jan 17 '16 at 7:30
nvoigt
42.6k18105147
You provided this method of communication. You gave him your phone number. You are responsible for this method of communication. If your phone is broken, it's your fault. Nobody else can change that.
That said, phone calls are not a good way to communicate asynchronous messages. You cannot send a document by phone call and calls are mostly inconvenient. The chances of actually calling when the other one has nothing better to do are slim. So preferring email is normal. But it is your responsibility to make that clear. Don't provide a broken line of communication in the first place.
A personal note: I'm working in IT. When a candidate has a broken phone and does not give me a replacement number, that would be a big red flag. How is he to handle the tasks I assign, if he cannot find a way to fix his own phone? Even if it means sending it in for service. But just leaving it broken would have me thinking about his ability to do the job.
So next time, state clearly that you want email communication. If you need a phone number, provide one that works. You are under no obligation to pick it up whenever someone calls, you are not a call-center. But it should be working. Preferably with a way to leave a message should you not pick up, so you can return the call.
answered Jan 17 '16 at 7:30
nvoigt
42.6k18105147
answered Jan 17 '16 at 7:30
nvoigt
42.6k18105147
answered Jan 17 '16 at 7:30
nvoigt
42.6k18105147
answered Jan 17 '16 at 7:30
nvoigt
42.6k18105147
42.6k18105147
Right. If the candidate can't get themselves a working phone number while job hunting, that makes me doubt their competence at the basics of normal adult living, which makes me think they probably won't be much use in any job more tricky than burger-flipping.
– A E
Jan 17 '16 at 15:47
@AE I don't get what someone so hateful is doing in here, but I got a really important interview coming up soon so thank you for reminding me just how judgemental you guys are, I needed this.
– markus
Jan 17 '16 at 20:36
@markus, I'm a hiring manager (interviewing 4 people tomorrow), and that's my genuine opinion. I'm not saying it to be nasty. I genuinely wouldn't hire someone for IT work who seemed unable to navigate the adult world, which includes such necessities as having a working telephone when job-hunting. Sorry that's hard feedback for you to hear, but you did ask the question. Sorry you find it hateful, but employers do form judgements about candidates.
– A E
Jan 18 '16 at 17:26
@AE I actually didn't mind. I did an interview today assuming that my interviewer thinks just like you and trying extra hard, and always will from now on. I personally think that it's naive to think about "the adult world" as some sort of challenge, but that's part of the game I guess. Good luck with your interviews and go easy on them.
– markus
Jan 18 '16 at 17:49
suggest improvements |Â
Right. If the candidate can't get themselves a working phone number while job hunting, that makes me doubt their competence at the basics of normal adult living, which makes me think they probably won't be much use in any job more tricky than burger-flipping.
– A E
Jan 17 '16 at 15:47
@AE I don't get what someone so hateful is doing in here, but I got a really important interview coming up soon so thank you for reminding me just how judgemental you guys are, I needed this.
– markus
Jan 17 '16 at 20:36
@markus, I'm a hiring manager (interviewing 4 people tomorrow), and that's my genuine opinion. I'm not saying it to be nasty. I genuinely wouldn't hire someone for IT work who seemed unable to navigate the adult world, which includes such necessities as having a working telephone when job-hunting. Sorry that's hard feedback for you to hear, but you did ask the question. Sorry you find it hateful, but employers do form judgements about candidates.
– A E
Jan 18 '16 at 17:26
@AE I actually didn't mind. I did an interview today assuming that my interviewer thinks just like you and trying extra hard, and always will from now on. I personally think that it's naive to think about "the adult world" as some sort of challenge, but that's part of the game I guess. Good luck with your interviews and go easy on them.
– markus
Jan 18 '16 at 17:49
Right. If the candidate can't get themselves a working phone number while job hunting, that makes me doubt their competence at the basics of normal adult living, which makes me think they probably won't be much use in any job more tricky than burger-flipping.
– A E
Jan 17 '16 at 15:47
Right. If the candidate can't get themselves a working phone number while job hunting, that makes me doubt their competence at the basics of normal adult living, which makes me think they probably won't be much use in any job more tricky than burger-flipping.
– A E
Jan 17 '16 at 15:47
@AE I don't get what someone so hateful is doing in here, but I got a really important interview coming up soon so thank you for reminding me just how judgemental you guys are, I needed this.
– markus
Jan 17 '16 at 20:36
@AE I don't get what someone so hateful is doing in here, but I got a really important interview coming up soon so thank you for reminding me just how judgemental you guys are, I needed this.
– markus
Jan 17 '16 at 20:36
@markus, I'm a hiring manager (interviewing 4 people tomorrow), and that's my genuine opinion. I'm not saying it to be nasty. I genuinely wouldn't hire someone for IT work who seemed unable to navigate the adult world, which includes such necessities as having a working telephone when job-hunting. Sorry that's hard feedback for you to hear, but you did ask the question. Sorry you find it hateful, but employers do form judgements about candidates.
– A E
Jan 18 '16 at 17:26
@markus, I'm a hiring manager (interviewing 4 people tomorrow), and that's my genuine opinion. I'm not saying it to be nasty. I genuinely wouldn't hire someone for IT work who seemed unable to navigate the adult world, which includes such necessities as having a working telephone when job-hunting. Sorry that's hard feedback for you to hear, but you did ask the question. Sorry you find it hateful, but employers do form judgements about candidates.
– A E
Jan 18 '16 at 17:26
@AE I actually didn't mind. I did an interview today assuming that my interviewer thinks just like you and trying extra hard, and always will from now on. I personally think that it's naive to think about "the adult world" as some sort of challenge, but that's part of the game I guess. Good luck with your interviews and go easy on them.
– markus
Jan 18 '16 at 17:49
@AE I actually didn't mind. I did an interview today assuming that my interviewer thinks just like you and trying extra hard, and always will from now on. I personally think that it's naive to think about "the adult world" as some sort of challenge, but that's part of the game I guess. Good luck with your interviews and go easy on them.
– markus
Jan 18 '16 at 17:49
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
I'm not a fan of phone calls for several reasons, so I just insist they people contact me via email. So even if I had picked up the phone, I would have said I was in the middle of something and for them to email me.
It's too late to kick yourself about what happened. Make sure you have a working phone and ring them back when you get a chance. It's not a huge problem and you have valid reasons however inconvenient they were.
answered Jan 16 '16 at 22:34
Kilisi
94.7k50216376
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
I'm not a fan of phone calls for several reasons, so I just insist they people contact me via email. So even if I had picked up the phone, I would have said I was in the middle of something and for them to email me.
It's too late to kick yourself about what happened. Make sure you have a working phone and ring them back when you get a chance. It's not a huge problem and you have valid reasons however inconvenient they were.
answered Jan 16 '16 at 22:34
Kilisi
94.7k50216376
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
I'm not a fan of phone calls for several reasons, so I just insist they people contact me via email. So even if I had picked up the phone, I would have said I was in the middle of something and for them to email me.
It's too late to kick yourself about what happened. Make sure you have a working phone and ring them back when you get a chance. It's not a huge problem and you have valid reasons however inconvenient they were.
answered Jan 16 '16 at 22:34
Kilisi
94.7k50216376
I'm not a fan of phone calls for several reasons, so I just insist they people contact me via email. So even if I had picked up the phone, I would have said I was in the middle of something and for them to email me.
It's too late to kick yourself about what happened. Make sure you have a working phone and ring them back when you get a chance. It's not a huge problem and you have valid reasons however inconvenient they were.
answered Jan 16 '16 at 22:34
Kilisi
94.7k50216376
answered Jan 16 '16 at 22:34
Kilisi
94.7k50216376
answered Jan 16 '16 at 22:34
Kilisi
94.7k50216376
answered Jan 16 '16 at 22:34
Kilisi
94.7k50216376
94.7k50216376
suggest improvements |Â
suggest improvements |Â
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1
for insight into "why don't they just email since my phone isn't reliable" see workplace.stackexchange.com/questions/59186/…
– Kate Gregory
Jan 16 '16 at 20:27
1
I just improved the question to see if it can be reopened. If not I'd like it removed.
– markus
Jan 17 '16 at 20:30