How do I find a landline on short notice?
January 19, 2012 3:58 PM Subscribe
Where might I go to gain the use of a landline for an hour or so during normal business hours?
I recently received a request for a phone interview from a potential employer, who specified that it must be carried out over a landline. I feel this is a reasonable request given the degraded voice quality and dropped calls that come with cell phones, and I'd really like to get a job with this company besides. The problem is that I don't have a residential landline -- all of my personal phone traffic is through my cell phone. I can't use the phone at my current workplace for obvious reasons, but I'm having trouble coming up with a solution that would allow me to comfortably use a landline for an hour or so sometime within the next two weeks. Thanks in advance for your suggestions.
I recently received a request for a phone interview from a potential employer, who specified that it must be carried out over a landline. I feel this is a reasonable request given the degraded voice quality and dropped calls that come with cell phones, and I'd really like to get a job with this company besides. The problem is that I don't have a residential landline -- all of my personal phone traffic is through my cell phone. I can't use the phone at my current workplace for obvious reasons, but I'm having trouble coming up with a solution that would allow me to comfortably use a landline for an hour or so sometime within the next two weeks. Thanks in advance for your suggestions.
The "business center" at any local mid-budget hotel should have landlines that are free for local calls. Dress business casual and you'll blend right in.
posted by killdevil at 4:03 PM on January 19, 2012
posted by killdevil at 4:03 PM on January 19, 2012
Sometimes Kinko's and other places like that have rentable meeting rooms for conference calls.
posted by BlahLaLa at 4:05 PM on January 19, 2012
posted by BlahLaLa at 4:05 PM on January 19, 2012
The local unemployment office here has several small conference rooms with land lines for just this purpose.
posted by JujuB at 4:42 PM on January 19, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by JujuB at 4:42 PM on January 19, 2012 [1 favorite]
Surely you have friends or family nearby with a landline?
posted by DoubleLune at 5:12 PM on January 19, 2012
posted by DoubleLune at 5:12 PM on January 19, 2012
Consider getting a Skype online number. If you have a headset the voice quality is excellent and I don't think it's distinguishable from a landline. You could just go to the nearest coffee shop and pick a quiet spot.
posted by verdeluz at 8:43 PM on January 19, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by verdeluz at 8:43 PM on January 19, 2012 [1 favorite]
Often times colleges or universities will have phones just hanging out on the wall in public places; if you investigate them you may find the extension needed to dial outside of campus. No guarantee on quality (or that you won't be booted for some reason).
posted by soy bean at 4:37 AM on January 20, 2012
posted by soy bean at 4:37 AM on January 20, 2012
Warning on the Skype option:
test, test and re-test the call quality before dialing in the interview. Skype call quality depends on internet load and bandwidth at a particular time.
If the interview is really important, you want privacy as well (being distracted by passerbys, background noise). A hotel business lounge is good, but booking the cheapest 2* room on Priceline or Hotwire may give you the most privacy and flexibility (in case your interview time changes to another part of the day).
posted by Kruger5 at 9:37 AM on January 20, 2012 [2 favorites]
test, test and re-test the call quality before dialing in the interview. Skype call quality depends on internet load and bandwidth at a particular time.
If the interview is really important, you want privacy as well (being distracted by passerbys, background noise). A hotel business lounge is good, but booking the cheapest 2* room on Priceline or Hotwire may give you the most privacy and flexibility (in case your interview time changes to another part of the day).
posted by Kruger5 at 9:37 AM on January 20, 2012 [2 favorites]
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posted by jabes at 4:01 PM on January 19, 2012