Pre-Interview Question

[xaeniac]

Hiring Manager calls to schedule a phone interview and only to schedule. Gives you the process as to how many interviews, etc. Then later in conversation during the chit-chat states that there are many other openings available in section. Does this mean that the interviewer may not be considered for the current slot and someone else is already pre-selected? What are your thoughts on this comment being made?

 

[Mayne]

sounds like they are keeping their options open. I know it sucks to not know the interview process.

 

[purbeast0]

Why didn't you just ask him?

 

[xaeniac]

Why didn't you just ask him?

because i did not want to be ruled out before my first interview. for all i know he was speaking of a higher role, so why would I piss him off before even formally scheduling the initial interview?

 

[Mayne]

Why didn't you just ask him?

that sounds like something I would hear in a movie. not real life.

 

[purbeast0]

because i did not want to be ruled out before my first interview. for all i know he was speaking of a higher role, so why would I piss him off before even formally scheduling the initial interview?

If asking an interviewer to clarify something they tell you gets you ruled out of an interview, it's probably not a company you want to work for anyways.

 

[Mayne]

now it sounds like tv land

 

[xaeniac]

If asking an interviewer to clarify something they tell you gets you ruled out of an interview, it's probably not a company you want to work for anyways.

it was not an interview. It was to schedule the interview. pretty bad when mayne is the rational voice here. (*sorry mayne)

 

[purbeast0]

it was not an interview. It was to schedule the interview. pretty bad when mayne is the rational voice here. (*sorry mayne)

Call it what you want - a phone screen, whatever. If you are scared to ask questions to the new company you've already lost.

 

[xaeniac]

Call it what you want - a phone screen, whatever. If you are scared to ask questions to the new company you've already lost.

ok maybe so. thanks for the insights.

 

[PowerEngineer]

No, I wouldn't take the remark that way. It is more likely to mean that interviewees that do not turn out to be the best candidate for the posted job opening might be offered the opportunity to take other open positions.

 

[deadlyapp]

I'd agree with the other posters. It means nothing as far as the position being filled, however maybe they've reviewed your experience and feel that something else may be better for you.

 

[XavierMace]

it was not an interview. It was to schedule the interview. pretty bad when mayne is the rational voice here. (*sorry mayne)

Maybe the fact that you're thinking mayne is the rational voice should cause you to re-evaluate. I don't see how them letting you know they have other openings would be considered a bad thing. If they'd already made their decision to go with somebody else before you've been interviewed, the only reason to interview you at that point is if they think they may have another position you'd fit in. If for some bizarre reason they'd already made their decision but were going to keep interviewing people anyways, then it's not like their going to tell you that's what they are doing. So while I agree asking for clarification shouldn't be a problem, I also don't really see it gaining you anything either by asking.

 

[glenn1]

The hiring manager is testing your willingness to apply for other (less paid) positions. “I see you applied for the Pencil Sharpener position; would you also be interested in other positions in my group?” If you take the bait he moves your resume into the pile for Assistant Pencil Sharpener making half the salary while doing 95% of the same work.

 

[MrSquished]

They love you bro, they wanna make you CEO

 

[interchange]

I'd agree with the other posters. It means nothing as far as the position being filled, however maybe they've reviewed your experience and feel that something else may be better for you.

That's the way I read it, but the narrative is pretty vague. That same thing (sort of) did happen with my first real job. When they ordered me they also let me know of an opening for a slightly different position that better matched what I wanted and actually took. I think for tech work, HR folks don't necessarily know what you do or are qualified for so it would be good to have a promising candidate apply for any other positions they may be interested in.

 

[deadlyapp]

That's the way I read it, but the narrative is pretty vague. That same thing (sort of) did happen with my first real job. When they ordered me they also let me know of an opening for a slightly different position that better matched what I wanted and actually took. I think for tech work, HR folks don't necessarily know what you do or are qualified for so it would be good to have a promising candidate apply for any other positions they may be interested in.

My company does a big hiring process (or used to) where they would bring in 60-80 applicants for two days of interviews, case studies, presentations, and social gatherings. On the second day, you would fill out a sheet with your top three position choices, although I don't recall ever even seeing job descriptions for those positions. You may never interview with the hiring manager for that position either. At the end of the whole thing, about a week later you would potentially get an offer after the different people rated you and recommended a fit to a position depending on your skills.

The whole process was amazing and the people that my company hired through it usually had a much better washout rate than many in the industry.