Cover Letter, asking company to call me on certain days?

baseball1988

I am employed working in a help desk environment. The office space is open and everyone can see what you are doing. It's hard to pick up my mobile phone if a potential employer calls especially when I am troubleshooting with a client.

Some employers don't leave voice mails and I lose the opportunity automatically (because they don't provide their extension number and it's hard to trace who called).

I've been looking for opportunities at other companies. There were a few times where I tried to conduct surprise phone interviews at work. In most cases, I don't do well because I am constantly worried that someone will overhear my conversation. I end us focusing on my surrounding/clock than concentrating on the phone interview. I can't take more than 10 minutes break because my team will start looking for me. I also don't really have any official lunch breaks for these surprise phone interviews.

The company is pretty small and there is no where to hide. No stairways. Washroom isn't a good idea because sound will go through the pipes and others may overhear my conversation. Can't use the conference room. Outside is a bad choice (coworkers taking smoke breaks) and I don't have a car otherwise I would do it in there.

My question is: Will it be strange for me to put a request on my cover letter telling them to contact me on specific days of the week? There are specific days of the week where I"m off and can conduct surprise interviews at home. Or will HR **** my resume/cover letter immediately?

It's much harder to conduct phone interviews while I am employed than being unemployed.

Any suggestions/ideas will be appreciated.

nicklauscombs

i don't see any reason why this SHOULD be an issue. if they really want you they will work with you to get the call placed when you can take it.

Essendon

It may be an isolated case but I once asked a senior recruiter at a reputed agency and she admitted that people that ask for call backs at certain times/days are not looked upon favourably meaning that their applications are either ignored or go straight to the dumpster. My missus used to put preferred times on her cover letter but HR would call any time of the day anyway - which probably means they dont read the cover letter or cant be bothered calling at requested times. Here what she did - after she'd finish work she called them herself. She'd jot down the contact if the person listed on the job ad and call them up while I drove us home.

Devilry

I don't think it's really a good idea to put that on there.

HR/Recruiters really don't even pay attention to most cover letters (I know I don't) and it might come across as not being ready to do what it takes.

baseball1988

Thanks for the replies.

A couple of my buddies also told me not to put that on the cover letter.

Because I am employed, I might be playing telephone games: they leave a voice mail, i call back then I leave a voice mail, they call back then i am back on the job. I can't call them after work because I work about 9-11 hours per day. I work long hours but get a few days off (this is the reason why I wanted them to call me on those days off).

Anyway, I guess I will remove it off my cover letter. Let them call anytime whether I am at work or at home.

rwmidl

I'd just put your cell phone, home # (if you have one) and personal email address. If you get a call on your cell phone and you are at work, just say "can I call you right back? I would like to get to a better location" or something like that. And then go to a room where you can shut the door/go outside and call them back. Almost all hiring managers I've dealt with usually are more than willing to work with me when I've asked if I can call them right back.