Reaching out to hiring manager after blowing phone screen
July 17, 2015 9:02 AM
Applied for a dream job on the dream organization; a couple of days later got an email directly from the hiring manager (director of department) to schedule a phone chat. I fully meet the qualifications and personality traits but for crazy reasons I completely blowed the phone interview. The director closed the conversation emphasizing how impressive my resume was.
Of course I never heard back from her. The position remained open for about three months until a couple of weeks ago I got an email indicating they filled the position, thanks for your interest, blah blah blah.
Well, they reposted the add and I want to apply again. I have the contact information for the hiring manager but not sure if I should contact her after applying. And if I contact her, what can I say to improve my chances to land another phone screening. I don't want to come up with excuses about why I sound so stupid the previous time. Any ideas or suggestions? Thanks!
Of course I never heard back from her. The position remained open for about three months until a couple of weeks ago I got an email indicating they filled the position, thanks for your interest, blah blah blah.
Well, they reposted the add and I want to apply again. I have the contact information for the hiring manager but not sure if I should contact her after applying. And if I contact her, what can I say to improve my chances to land another phone screening. I don't want to come up with excuses about why I sound so stupid the previous time. Any ideas or suggestions? Thanks!
Could you describe [crazy reasons]? If it's something you've improved upon since then and you're positive she picked up on it and didn't offer you the position precisely because of those reasons, then an appropriate approach might be to acknowledge that and offer how you've improved.
I say this with the caveat that it might not be the reasons you're citing that led you not getting past that stage.
posted by Karaage at 9:31 AM on July 17, 2015
I say this with the caveat that it might not be the reasons you're citing that led you not getting past that stage.
posted by Karaage at 9:31 AM on July 17, 2015
Can you explain what went wrong? You only get one chance to make a first impression, and they already know how great your resume is, so I'm not sure what you can really do if it went as poorly as you say. If I did a phone screen with someone who seemed like a crazy person, no amount of emailing me or explanation would change my mind. Learn your lesson to be better prepared next time so you don't blow it.
posted by AppleTurnover at 10:05 AM on July 17, 2015
posted by AppleTurnover at 10:05 AM on July 17, 2015
I was on the process of switching medications. My brain was scrambled; I was not able to properly articulate my ideas, it was awkward. I think I sounded like an idiot. At this moment I'm good, well prepared, and ready to ace the interview. That being said, I'm also ready to let it go if I don't see a real chance to repair the damage. I would use my energy in something productive.
posted by 3dd at 10:19 AM on July 17, 2015
posted by 3dd at 10:19 AM on July 17, 2015
I would at least apply again. There may be a new hiring manager. If you think you blew it because you were nervous that may not be the case. I do interviewing and hiring and have offered jobs to people who later told me they thought they blew the interview because they were nervous. Most people are nervous at interviews, I try to look past it when I can.
posted by Justin Case at 10:19 AM on July 17, 2015
posted by Justin Case at 10:19 AM on July 17, 2015
"I was switching my medications" is an excuse that only makes the problem worse. I can't even think of a lie you could tell. I think you just need to move on. Sorry this happened to you. We've all been through it. To this day I still remember a very bad interview I had -- in my case, I simply wasn't prepared. You can submit your application again if you want, but just know that it's a long shot. Even if there is a new hiring manager, I am sure they have some sort of system in place where candidates are rated after the phone screen, which will be there if you apply again.
posted by AppleTurnover at 10:43 AM on July 17, 2015
posted by AppleTurnover at 10:43 AM on July 17, 2015
There's room for optimism here. You have nothing to lose by trying again. Applying again to this company won't have any effect on future applications to other companies.
Even if the company does notice that you have applied before, you can truthfully tell them something like "I've prepared and learned a great deal about your company since that first interview. I believe that if we talk, I can make it clearer than I did the last time that I'd be a good fit."
Others will have better scripts to suggest to you.
Again, you have nothing to lose by applying again.
posted by JimN2TAW at 11:29 AM on July 17, 2015
Even if the company does notice that you have applied before, you can truthfully tell them something like "I've prepared and learned a great deal about your company since that first interview. I believe that if we talk, I can make it clearer than I did the last time that I'd be a good fit."
Others will have better scripts to suggest to you.
Again, you have nothing to lose by applying again.
posted by JimN2TAW at 11:29 AM on July 17, 2015
"I was switching my medications" is an excuse that only makes the problem worse.
FWIW, I don't agree. I think it's a legitimate reason to have problems, and, importantly, it's something that is in the past and doesn't necessarily represent a recurring risk for the employer. You could phrase it as "I was not at my best for medical reasons that I won't go into" if it comes up. However, saying nothing and impressing the heck out of the interviewer might be best.
posted by amtho at 11:30 AM on July 17, 2015
FWIW, I don't agree. I think it's a legitimate reason to have problems, and, importantly, it's something that is in the past and doesn't necessarily represent a recurring risk for the employer. You could phrase it as "I was not at my best for medical reasons that I won't go into" if it comes up. However, saying nothing and impressing the heck out of the interviewer might be best.
posted by amtho at 11:30 AM on July 17, 2015
Just apply again and practice in order to nail the interview, if you get one. Do NOT mention how you blew the first one and definitely do not mention medical issues.
posted by archimago at 1:58 PM on July 17, 2015
posted by archimago at 1:58 PM on July 17, 2015
I think JimN2TAW nails it but:
"I was switching my medications" is an excuse that only makes the problem worse
I've taken allegedly "non-drowsy" anti-histamines that have scrambled my brain to an extent that I wouldn't be able to write a shopping list, let alone have a phone interview. Would that be a plausible (justified?) white lie if needed?
posted by humph at 2:51 PM on July 17, 2015
"I was switching my medications" is an excuse that only makes the problem worse
I've taken allegedly "non-drowsy" anti-histamines that have scrambled my brain to an extent that I wouldn't be able to write a shopping list, let alone have a phone interview. Would that be a plausible (justified?) white lie if needed?
posted by humph at 2:51 PM on July 17, 2015
Would that be a plausible (justified?) white lie if needed
I'd read that as code for drunk, personally (I've heard "it was the antihistamines!" from multiple alcoholics, it's kind of a cliche along with "my drink must have been spiked" - both are things that I know do genuinely happen to people, but they are such well-used alcoholic excuses for being blind drunk at 3pm that they trigger instant suspicion).
So no, just don't mention it at all. They'll either have no detailed record of the old phone call, in which case you have a clean slate, or they will and it will depend really on how well the hiring manager remembers you - probably not massively well unless you literally came across as a lunatic. If you were just a bit rubbish their memory will have faded by now. If it comes up, Amtho's script is perfect - makes it sound like you had the flu or something.
posted by tinkletown at 7:45 PM on July 17, 2015
I'd read that as code for drunk, personally (I've heard "it was the antihistamines!" from multiple alcoholics, it's kind of a cliche along with "my drink must have been spiked" - both are things that I know do genuinely happen to people, but they are such well-used alcoholic excuses for being blind drunk at 3pm that they trigger instant suspicion).
So no, just don't mention it at all. They'll either have no detailed record of the old phone call, in which case you have a clean slate, or they will and it will depend really on how well the hiring manager remembers you - probably not massively well unless you literally came across as a lunatic. If you were just a bit rubbish their memory will have faded by now. If it comes up, Amtho's script is perfect - makes it sound like you had the flu or something.
posted by tinkletown at 7:45 PM on July 17, 2015
Mention how passionately you feel about the job and organization, what you've been doing in the mean time that makes you even more qualified today compared to months ago.
If the job is listed it means there's a need to be filled in that organization. Does that make you a shoo-in? Not necessarily. But, I wouldn't write yourself off altogether, either. Enthusiasm can count for a lot, and if you had any kind of rapport with the original interviewer I would let them know you've re-applied, it shouldn't hurt but it could help. Best of luck!
posted by Goblin Barbarian at 11:08 PM on July 22, 2015
If the job is listed it means there's a need to be filled in that organization. Does that make you a shoo-in? Not necessarily. But, I wouldn't write yourself off altogether, either. Enthusiasm can count for a lot, and if you had any kind of rapport with the original interviewer I would let them know you've re-applied, it shouldn't hurt but it could help. Best of luck!
posted by Goblin Barbarian at 11:08 PM on July 22, 2015
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If the level of blowing it was less serious, like being awkward and nervous, malapropism, distracted by cat pooping on carpet etc, you don't want to remind them of the reason you got dinged before.
If the level of blowing it was being noticeably impaired, being caught in an outright resume lie, insulting the interviewer, or otherwise going out in a pile of flaming wreckage, there is little that will remedy that first impression, and contacting them will do no good.
If you do get another phone screening, I'd be 1000% prepped because you probably won't get a third chance.
posted by tchemgrrl at 9:30 AM on July 17, 2015