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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

4 voicemails in 2 hours?!!!

66 replies

MintLeaves12 · 10/08/2021 12:57

Nothing to heavy just a quick poll really .

Currently casually looking for a new job but in a FT role. Applied for one yesterday but realised it was a 12 month contract afterwards (it was really hidden and unclear to be honest) which isn't for me.

They called me today and left a voicemail at 2.30 which I missed as I was working. They then called me another 3 times until 4.30.

All in over 2 hours they called 4 times and left the SAME 4 voicemails asking for a call back . Then saying further to my last message call back etc.

Is it just me or would this put you off? Not that I want to proceed but Jesus, I have never known anything like it. They are not a recruiter either, it was the business directly !

OP posts:

TeloMere · 10/08/2021 14:28

Why didn't you call them back?
Perhaps the person phoning couldn't get on with other tasks until they'd heard from you.

wobblywinelover · 10/08/2021 14:29

I would see what they have to say when you actually speak to them before you make the decision of whether they're being unreasonable or not. They might have to clarify something with you before they can give you the job and there may be other candidates waiting to hear which may be why the sense of urgency, until you speak to them you just don't know. Don't write them off yet

timeisnotaline · 10/08/2021 14:31

sammylady
It’s a bit ott but I would call back and explain professionally that I wasn’t going to proceed. Job done. Or not taken, as it were.

Original poster

MintLeaves12 · 10/08/2021 14:40

@TeloMere

Why didn't you call them back? Perhaps the person phoning couldn't get on with other tasks until they'd heard from you.

I was working

OP posts:

CuriousaboutSamphire · 10/08/2021 14:40

@TeloMere

Why didn't you call them back? Perhaps the person phoning couldn't get on with other tasks until they'd heard from you.

That would be REALLY offputting.

You apply and you get invited to interview. If they can't wait a couple of hours for a response then there is something odd about them - from someone who thinks a phonecall is a command performance to a workplace that is shambolic. It doesn't instil confidence.

Anyone calling me , emailing or textig, might have to wait for a few hours before I got back to them. I am usually busy working and in no place to sit down with my diary to work anything out. That's perfectly normal, I thought!

AlfonsoTheMango · 10/08/2021 14:46

They may have left four voicemail messages because they weren't sure that you got the message as they hadn't heard back.

I would just call, apologise for not responding sooner and deal with whatever it is.

CuriousaboutSamphire · 10/08/2021 14:49

I wouldn't bloody apologise. If I didn;t want the job I'd probably tell them I found it quite odd, offputting!

ButYouGottaHaveASkillJeff · 10/08/2021 14:51

@AlfonsoTheMango

They may have left four voicemail messages because they weren't sure that you got the message as they hadn't heard back.

I would just call, apologise for not responding sooner and deal with whatever it is.

I wouldn't want to work for a company that didn't know how mobiles worked. One call and voicemail is sufficient. The receiver can see this.

SlightlyJaded · 10/08/2021 14:59

This would put me off too.

Subliminally I would be imagining them calling me on my day off to ask me something, then chasing me all day because I had the temerity to be 'having a day off' on my 'day off'.

FatCatThinCat · 10/08/2021 15:05

My DD was called for a job interview within seconds of submitting her application. They hadn't even had time to read it. They must have been so desperate for staff that they were sat waiting to grab anyone who applied before they could go elsewhere.

FuckingFucksicles · 10/08/2021 15:07

Might not be the same person who called?

StoneColdBitch · 10/08/2021 15:07

That is a bit OTT. I would expect something like:

Ring once - no answer. Don't leave a message.
Try again an hour later. If there's no answer, leave a voicemail.
Then wait for the person to return the call. Leave it another 1-2 days before calling back again.

BatshitCrazyWoman · 10/08/2021 15:12

@StoneColdBitch

That is a bit OTT. I would expect something like:

Ring once - no answer. Don't leave a message.
Try again an hour later. If there's no answer, leave a voicemail.
Then wait for the person to return the call. Leave it another 1-2 days before calling back again.

They are unreasonable OP. I have changed my voicemail message to say that I work during the day, but to please leave a message and I'll call back as soon as I can. I'm on work calls a lot of the day, so can't check or return calls. I wouldn't have thought that was unusual??!!

Whatwouldscullydo · 10/08/2021 15:12

Might not be the same person who called?

Makes it worse tbh.

Means that either none of the staff trust eachother to do the job they have been asked so someone's having to constantly do extra.

That no one communicates or records what's been done.

Or the roles are undefined .

Neither are good impressions.

The only thing worse than a call on.ykur day off is 4 calls on.your day off because they'd rather bug you than speak to eachother.

MedusasBadHairDay · 10/08/2021 15:17

I refused to use an estate agent when they did this to me. I'd been in back to back meetings for 2 hours, during that time they left me 3 voice mails. It's so unprofessional and for a potential employer I'd assume they'd be demanding and stressful to work with.

orangejumpsuit · 10/08/2021 15:18

They'll be a reason. Maybe the person was on strict instructions from a manager to contact you today urgently for some reason or other. The polite thing to do would be to call them back asap and tell them you are no longer interested due to the length of contract, so not to keep them hanging any longer.

gannett · 10/08/2021 15:19

Did they try to contact you in any other way - email?

Awful practice on their part. Gives the impression that if you took the job there'd be a lot of checking in on you and micromanaging.

Zhampagne · 10/08/2021 15:20

When did you tell them that you were withdrawing your application?

Eviebeans · 10/08/2021 15:22

It may be that there is a skeleton staff in the office, some of them being very junior or there may even be just one person answering calls, forwarding messages and responding. I have experienced this a lot over the past few months. If you fancied the job give them a call. They're obviously short of staff...

ChunkySloth · 10/08/2021 15:25

@MintLeaves12

I see jobs like relationships, you can't ignore those red flags early

NoProblem123 · 10/08/2021 15:25

CFers getting back to you like that.

Dixiechickonhols · 10/08/2021 15:27

I’d be unimpressed. If they’ve called after lunch then it’s not unusual that you wouldn’t be able to talk at work in afternoon. I’d expect one voicemail and maybe an email.
It might be worth speaking to them re 12 months contract. My current job was initially 2 year contract but 6 months in a permanent came up. Was to do with funding.

LH1987 · 10/08/2021 15:35

Is it maybe an overly keen recruitment consultant as opposed to the actual company?

FuckingFucksicles · 10/08/2021 15:40

Meh shrugs was just going with the thread lol, but you are right, means mis communication.

WhatATimeToBeAlive · 10/08/2021 15:44

Just email or text them back that you're not interested. It's not difficult.

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