WTF? Interview Experience

[jamestyler]

We have a policy. No phones no texting during WORKING HOURS. We had to change it because people were stepping inside the office area, thinking that would get around the "no phones in production" rule. Same with stepping outside.

I've worked in a few offices with similar policy - though mostly out of security concerns (taking pics of client info etc).

I ended up mimicking the teams Bluetooth names and sending pics. If the pics were accepted, we knew who was using their phones and gave them a warning. Some thought it was harsh, but it worked.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

We have a policy. No phones no texting during WORKING HOURS. We had to change it because people were stepping inside the office area, thinking that would get around the "no phones in production" rule. Same with stepping outside.

I've worked in a few offices with similar policy - though mostly out of security concerns (taking pics of client info etc).

I ended up mimicking the teams Bluetooth names and sending pics. If the pics were accepted, we knew who was using their phones and gave them a warning. Some thought it was harsh, but it worked.

Ouch! That is harsh.

Of course, I never have my Bluetooth enabled.

 

[Broccoli]

If you think fast, it could be addressed in the "And now, do you have any questions for us?" Phase.

How so? I don't think I could come up with a question regarding that issue w/o coming off snarky.

So it'll only be a matter of time before they fall into a sewer because they were too busy texting... and then sue the city.

Didn't that indeed happen? (the sewer part)

Do they have Facebook or MySpace profiles you can post here?

Probably, but I am not going to track them down.

 

[Shatmandu]

People can only shit on you if you let them.

I was recently sent to St. Louis for a day to teach three professional adults how to use our inventory system.

When they would get texts and reply, I kept right on going. Each eventually became distracted and lost by texting, so I said something along the lines of:

"The people who sign your paychecks sent me here to do this. They know I can teach this system because I taught them. If you can't do this when I leave, it will be entirely your fault. You will have cost them a lot of money and a lot of time.

"None of you have pregnant wives or sick kids. Please turn your phones off for the next hour."

Two did. One just put his on vibrate, which we all of course heard the next time it went off.

When he tried to nonchalantly reply, I stood up, walked out, made myself a sandwich, and called his boss.

One text from the boss later, he turned that shit off.

Joe, teacher

 

[Lookingglassman]

I love when I have been interviewed by women for past jobs. When they ask, "what is the most stressful situation you had to deal with" All I have to do is whip out an old Army story dealing with warfare and they hire me. One boss told me when they ask this question they get the same canned response, "Well I had a difficult co-worker or some personal problem blah blah blah" But when I started telling war stories, they got riveted and figured if I can handle getting shot, bombed and dealing with wounded Soldiers then I can definetly handle the job.

 

[Maestro]

If you think fast, it could be addressed in the "And now, do you have any questions for us?" Phase.

How so? I don't think I could come up with a question regarding that issue w/o coming off snarky.

"Cell phones are becoming a major societal disruption, especially in the school systems. I know many high schools have policies in place regarding cell phone use during the school day. Does this university have any similar policies?"

If they heard you, they all look up, embarrassed, and you get away with it, because you're asking a valid question and aren't being a total dick about it. Well you are, but it's in an acceptably bad ass way.

 

[Broccoli]

If you think fast, it could be addressed in the "And now, do you have any questions for us?" Phase.

How so? I don't think I could come up with a question regarding that issue w/o coming off snarky.

"Cell phones are becoming a major societal disruption, especially in the school systems. I know many high schools have policies in place regarding cell phone use during the school day. Does this university have any similar policies?"

If they heard you, they all look up, embarrassed, and you get away with it, because you're asking a valid question and aren't being a total dick about it. Well you are, but it's in an acceptably bad ass way.

Oooh...that is good. Too bad I'm not that clever.