TIFU by accruing $145 in long distance call charges for a job interview

Submitted by idoescompooters t3_10gfcy6 in tifu

Nothing too much to say here. I had a job interview video call to do. It was supposed to be 30 minutes but ended up going for an HOUR (at the time I had no idea I was being charged $$$). The MS Teams app on my personal MacBook Pro was royally fucked and not connecting to internet at all while using my phone hotspot. My work phone was locked because I forgot my password (Face ID wasn't working), so I couldn't use my work phone MS Teams app. The worst part is… I had fucking MS Teams app on my personal phone but didn't even think to try it. The reason the audio only phone number was long distance is because it was a European number, since the company is European based. However, the position I applied for is located in the US. Anyways, good news is he said it sounds like I’m their guy.

TL;DR MS Teams app wouldn't work, so I called a European audio-only MS Teams phone number for 1 hour and now have to pay Verizon $145 for long distance call.

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NeObi-WanKenoLetItBe t1_j52f54d wrote

Follow up with an email thanking them for their time. No one does this, so it will make you stand out. Once they start making offers, once you get to the finish line, ask to be reimbursed for the cost of the call. I guarantee you, they won't bat an eye at getting you squared away.

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idoescompooters OP t1_j52fkc8 wrote

I don't have their email. I already said I appreciate his time at the very end. The first interview was just HR pre-screen, and this one was basically another pre-screen but with my prospective boss. The next one is with the team for some technical questions. Also, I'm already 1 out of 4 left of the total 64 that applied. And he said he's looking for a junior engineer as opposed to someone with 6 years experience anyway.

That's an interesting thought about asking to be reimbursed for the cost of the call. Also my "expected" salary which is essentially a lateral move for me, is already "very slightly above" what they were thinking.

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NeObi-WanKenoLetItBe t1_j52hnuq wrote

Slightly above is good. As you move up in your career, the thought is, you get what you pay for. People don't brag about how cheap their lawyers and accountants are.

I would investigate to find their emails. Linkedin, google. Figure out the pattern of how they set up their emails. First initial, lastname @ whatever.com. Say what you know its a little unconventional but you wanted to reach out to thank them for their time, explain WHY you're perfect for the role. And thank them again. I've beat out 360 other candidates just by going the extra mile in the interview process.

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raptir1 t1_j52n57q wrote

As someone who interviews people, almost everyone sends a follow up email thanking you for your time

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HFGuy9999 t1_j52fcf2 wrote

Spent $1,000 on a new suit for an interview, decided to renegotiate with my current company instead. Wore the suit maybe 1 more time since.

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AcrobaticSource3 t1_j53mpe0 wrote

To get more use out of the suit, you should go to more weddings or funerals. You don’t even have to know the families, if anyone asks, just say you need to use the suit

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