Matt LeBlanc helps job seekers in the Nashville area find new work. He shares this story with job seekers, but it’s just as true in the work at home field because, increasingly, people are being interviewed by phone for the “phone presence”.
The story below is from a HR person:
I was calling candidates to schedule interviews for a Sr. Accounting position, and this was the voice message from one of them (in a deep dramatic baritone radio DJ type voice):
“You have reached the Smith Insane Asylum! All the crazies are running loose! We will try to rope one of them in and put them in a straight jacket for you if you let us know which Crazy Smith you need to get a hold of! AHHHHHHH! Beep.
I almost hung up thinking I had to have dialed the wrong number. Then seeing Smith on the resume, checking the number, and hearing Smith on the message, I decided to leave a message (he was actually qualified)
I said something like this:“This is Mr. Johnson for the ABC Company. I assume this is the same Joe Smith who is looking for employment as a Sr. Accountant, and I assume this is his voice mail, if so, please call me back to we can discuss this position further.”
I went to talk about this candidate with both managers of accounting. One rolled his eyes indicating why did I even bother with this guy. Needless to say, he did not get the job.
No comments yet.