So, I'm in the final hiring process for a new position in the IT field, for a Senior Infrastructure role. The company has indicated to me that in addition to three perfect interviews, three references and everything else that went fine, that they need a current or former supervisor as a reference as well, and that's part of their "policy," of which they seem to not budge from. Has anyone heard of this? I've had a ton of interviews in my ~11 years in IT and have never heard of this. Just curious if there is a way to find wiggle room, considering that one of my references went from a Senior Systems Engineer role (technically above me, but not reporting to him), to a CIO role at another company within two years. I just find it strange that this seems to be a stopping point of an otherwise awesome hiring process. The issue here is that I only have info for one supervisor that I reported to that is no longer with the company I work for now, but I have not heard back from, unsure if it's still a good number. I know one one other within my company now that I used to report to, but it's against HR policy to give references for current or former employees while currently employed with this company. Just kind of confused on what to do next.
Weren't you asking for a letter of recommendation from your former employees when you left them? I work in IT as well (Telecommunications and networking) and I have 3 letters of recommendation in the past 15 years and a bunch of "certificates of excellence" signed by the supervisors or the NOC directors.
I don't know... you are in a tricky situation. If they are not asking for a signature of a supervisor you reported directly to, I would just hand them a letter from any respectable figure. Even if you didn't really work with him or her (e.g. a CCNP friend), you can just both lie and confirm you both worked on a project in the past. This, as a last option.
@agentfazexx
It's worth asking your former managerial colleague to provide an 'informal' reference based on their observations. Even if it's not a telephone call, a letter of reference might do. Best way to circumvent your HR Policy.
Related
I have also posted this in the hermes section, I created 2 threads to better the exposure to AT&T users in the forums they most frequent.
Hello Fellow AT&T Customers,
I want to notify all AT&T users of a situation that currently arose so you can protect yourself from having it happen to you. Last week a third party was able to call AT&T Customer Care and obtain all account information for all lines that I have. I have started a blog about this at http://www.tri-syndicate.com AT&T Customer Care management states that nothing will be done to compensate me for the harassment, and that it can happen to anyone. I am starting this blog to fight back at AT&T so this doesn't happen to anyone else.
If you haven't done so already I would suggest calling and setting a password on your account because it will help but not completely stop this from happening.
I am unsure of carrier policies outside of the U.S. but the U.S. carrier policies need to be changed before further damage may occur. I know they have obtained my cellular numbers but I do not know if they were able to obtain my address as well, this I am still trying to find out.
If anyone has any tips, suggestions, or ideas I am all ears.
Regards,
CUSTEL
AT&T's position on this is quite clear... you don't have any privacy...
"Well, it's not your record; it's our record. You don't own it; we own it, this may later be used to say it's not protected by the Privacy Act."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/22/AR2006062201742.html
Thank's for the link smuook hadn't seen that before.
Someone must have it out for you. Whenever I call customer service they ask me a whole bunch of questions regarding my account. Maybe someone got hold of your bill either from the mail or garbage and used that to pretend to be you. Hope you find out who is doing this to you. Keep a record so this way you have proof.
As for the reference to AT&T's policy "AT&T said it does not share the data with third-party marketing firms, but it cites circumstances under which it shares customer information with the government and law enforcement." and "News reports allege that AT&T and other telecom companies handed over millions of customer calling records to the National Security Agency to help track down terrorists."
This can be done to almost any company if order by a court of law. Point being safegaurd all of your personal accounts, shred all personal information and be vigilant about who and what information you give to who.
its far to easy for third parties to access ones account information. it can be done in a multitude of ways even in the store itself. I have had first hand issues with exes tracking down my bill information while I was on T mobile in the past it is a major issue imo. I feel you Custel and I really hope nothing major comes of thie beach. Its tough to make things more private because then even we as account holders become frustrated with the security measures and the amount of time we spend on hold while waiting to be served by customer service. We all want fast and secure service but right now we aren't getting it.
Definitely put a passcode on your accounts and NEVER add Authorized users to the accounts. they cause more trouble then they are worth.
Not quite a super hero, by day I am your average, 3rd tier tech support representative for a certain (pretty damn easy to figure out if you’re not a complete idiot) cell phone company. Throughout the rest of my life, I’m an angry computer geek, lashing out at just about everyone (hey, why discriminate?) that gets in my way.
So I’ve got a few things rolling around in my mind about these mobile devices and I’m looking for input at the end of this mess, as usual. Remember though, Confucius says, “There are no stupid questions, just stupid people.”
Here’s a bit of a rundown of the modern American cell phone. You’ll probably find a bit on cell phone plans/contracts in here, too. To be honest, I normally just ramble on until something makes enough sense to post, so I don’t know what all will be listed.
I personally believe the last “innovation” that should have happened for the cell phone is the clock. For about 75% of the people I talk to each day, that’s enough. See I’m all about customer service and the reason I’m not in sales is because the same people I talk to daily on the phone are the ones I would deter from buying anything other than a Jitterbug. They can’t use it. When I’m trying to explain to someone how to backup their information and they don’t know what the “Start” button is on their computer, they have no reason owning any phone that could be considered a PDA. Personally, I would like a netbook that made phone calls. I don’t want something Zoolander-ish, because I have fat fingers and expect too much from a device I can type on.
However, my “vision” will never be. There will always be idiots with too much money for their own good, but at least I’ll always have a job somewhere.
Now that I’ve got that out of the way, here’s a list of some current “features” of cell phones and the good and bad about them.
QWERTY Keyboards – These are great when people actually use them. I’ll never understand what the point is when they’re still typing in gibberish. “OMG!! U r so fun e!”
SMS Messages – A great concept ruined by greed. Why do we only have 160 characters to use in a text message? I read somewhere that it came about because it was the amount of characters as one line of text on a typewriter. That could be wrong, but real question should be, “Why do we still only have 160 characters to use in a text message?” Greed. SMS is beyond cheap for the carriers, but they will charge you 10 and 20 cents per message sent and received.
MMS Messages – Limited depending on the carrier to as little as 300kb. I tell customers each day to use email instead, because it’s not limited and it is more reliable. Ideally, they would make this invisible to the user, and just have the phones email each other. Realistically, we charge another 10 to 20 cents per message, for something that is easier to do than getting an STD from a hooker.
E911 (GPS) – Now included in every phone you can buy, because it’s required by law. I’m sure the FCC was worried about your safety when they made carriers track every cell phone within 100 meters… Riiiight. But I’m doing my best not to rant on the government so I’ll leave it at that. Fascists.
Touch Screens – “Why can’t I keep it my pocket with my keys?” Yes, I’ve heard this, and yes, they were serious. Negative for normal people? Touch Screen capabilities are great, and cheaper to make now than ever before. But the manufacturer will charge more for this just because they can. Don’t worry, you’ll get your 3D fix soon too.
USB/Other Serial Ports – These are great for people that want to physically connect their devices while syncing, but normally these ports are on the bottom of the phone, and people setting their phones in damp cup holders cause water damage to the device. Would it be harder to put this on the side? No, but how would they make money that way?
Minutes – Local, Long Distance, Roaming, International, International Roaming, Roaming on a Partner Network, Daytime, Nighttime, Weekend, Holiday, Inter-carrier, Intra-carrier, Circle… No matter what they tell you, no matter what they tell their employees, they make this confusing on purpose. How else are the carriers going to charge hundreds per month?
Internet/Data/Email/etc. – Having access to the web is a great convenience. Now I can watch that Jib Jab movie. Oh wait, that’s Flash, that doesn’t work in most of the phones… Oh, wait! I can watch Netflix! Oh, no I can’t. Well at least I can pay more for the web on my phone than I pay for it at home and get half the functionality…
Contracts – I don’t necessarily disagree with contracts, but part of why many people don’t treat their devices like they are expensive pieces of equipment is because they don’t have to pay for them. If more people had to pay $200-$500 for their flashy cell phone they may actually take care of the damn thing, which leads me to...
Insurance – There is no reason the carrier should be involved in this. Say we didn’t have insurance, and you had to get it, and any tech support, from the cell phone manufacturer. I’m not exactly a nice guy to people who call in that have bought one phone, seven years ago, but have managed to ***** to enough people to get them replaced by the carrier. The carrier should stay out of the hardware game, and there should be no such thing as “locks” on the devices. I don’t have to buy a new computer (or even a modem) when I switch ISPs. Oh ****, I hope Charter doesn’t read that…
Most of these things could be fixed if people just refused to pay for crappy service. I don’t like supporting sweatshops, so I don’t shop at Wal-Mart. It is your choice… You don’t need a cell phone. Anyways, that’s enough out of me. Like I said up there, I want your input, because I like to hear what you guys have to say.
Thanks again for being bored enough to read all of that,
Drunk
There are two types of people in this world, consumers, and well people who actually pay attention. . .
If people payed attention now adays cellphones would be way different lol.
Qwerty keyboards - I agree with your comment. Perhaps the gibberish typing still exists because of the 160 character limit for SMS? Or perhaps they're just acting like crazed 12 year olds...
MMS - I never understood why anyone would use MMS over email. The size limit means that anything you send will just not be of any high quality. You might as well not send it.
I/O ports - I don't agree with moving these ports to the side. I've had a 2 devices with side I/O ports and it was quite awkward. Besides, having it on the bottom allows 3rd parties to easily make docks. Perhaps the smarter solution would be to not put your device into a damp cup holder?
Data - It's inevitable that mobile data is going to be more expensive than your home broadband. But prices have been coming down in the past years. And if you tether your device to your laptop, you have the full web experience.
I actually see the benefit of tethering growing as we bring on new technologies, but they're going to charge more for tethering if they allow it at all, which only validates my complaint even more.
I wanted to add that technology should work for us, not the other way around. Personally, I would avoid the cupholder but it should be on the manufacturer to move this, for phones and docks alike.
People buying complex devices for basic needs, and being surprised when they don't work seamlessly, is definitely a major problem and happens accross a wide variety of sectors.
Just because you can afford it doesn't mean you should have it
I agree that having the port at the bottom makes more sense, astheticall and in terms of docs & accessories. I guess I've never placed my phone in a wet cupholder.
I have notice that when i'm in a country like India, china etc, a single call is cheaper than a us dollar... Is it because of population differences ?, Canada only has a population of 34 million. In USA you have cheap ass data plan ( unlimited data) while in Canada its 30 dollars for only 500 mb...
$30 for unlimited isn't exactly cheap, although definitely better than in Canada. Overall pricing in the US is pretty bad, especially on voice and texting (seriously, texting should be free if you have a data plan).
I just wondered, what's the most you've ever been "offered" in one of those dodgy scam emails, and have you ever had correspondence with the sender?
Personally, I've had $12,000,000 offered to me. I obviously don't need it though as I totally ignored the email. I've never corresponded with any of them, but I do occasionally enter bogus bank account details in the hope that the bank will see someone entering rubbish and be able to trace them by IP address. I also had some interesting back-and-forth with a scammer trying to "buy" my Nokia N95 a few years ago, to the point where I got his personal phone number and posted it online.
So how about you? How much have you been offered, and have you any interesting stories?
johncmolyneux said:
I just wondered, what's the most you've ever been "offered" in one of those dodgy scam emails, and have you ever had correspondence with the sender?
Personally, I've had $12,000,000 offered to me. I obviously don't need it though as I totally ignored the email. I've never corresponded with any of them, but I do occasionally enter bogus bank account details in the hope that the bank will see someone entering rubbish and be able to trace them by IP address. I also had some interesting back-and-forth with a scammer trying to "buy" my Nokia N95 a few years ago, to the point where I got his personal phone number and posted it online.
So how about you? How much have you been offered, and have you any interesting stories?
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Most of the email scams I've received seem to come from England. They usually involve the Queen and that I'm a long, lost distant relative, or something like that, and they are needing to issue me some sort of inheritance.
Does anyone else here work in the technical support or any cellular related fields whether it's retail or customer service? Some people are really freaking ignorant of the technology or absolutely stubborn when it comes to how phones and service works. I am tired of people demanding a new phone when every little thing happens. Does a car dealership replace your current car with a new one when it's under warranty? No they fix the problem with the car. It's not my fault you moved and you don't have coverage at your new house. When you got your phone we gave you a grace period to try it out and determine if coverage is good enough where you live. Moving doesn't give you a new grace period. You're not under contact anymore so if you want to leave us...pay off your device and go. I'll even help you unlock it once you've paid it off. Backups, backups...holy sh*t freaking backup your data people. When an application wreaks havoc or you got ad bots or whether something software related fails you might as well be prepared to hard reset your phone. No, you're not getting a warranty replacement without doing that step first. You're gonna have to transfer your data either way so back your sh*t up. It's not my responsibility to ensure your pictures and contacts don't get lost. Take some responsibility for your data and educate yourself on how to save it. Warranty is not an upgrade path either. Don't ask for a different color or model. That one year by the manufacturer is for the exact model. We (the carrier) are nice enough to take care of the warranty on behalf of the manufacturer. You think Samsung or Asus will send you an upgraded or different device? Take it up with them. Don't whine and cry because you can't scam warranty and insurance for an upgrade. You want a new phone then pay off the one you have or buy it at full price.
Anyways just had to vent. Working in technical support is actually a lot of fun and I really enjoy educating and teaching customers how to use their devices and explore the world a smartphone has to offer. However the amount of rampant stupidity and unreal requests are absolutely absurd.
Tell me about it. Every. Single. Bloody. Day.
I truly, truly believe there should be a driving license for using a smartphone. The amount of people who have no idea how the device, the one that they entrust their entire lives to, actually works is damn near astronomical.
"My WiFi doesn't work. What did you do to it?!?! *insert expletives filled capslock rant about fraud and scammers*" To a provider that doesn't supply landlines, only mobile. About 80% of the people apparently don't know the difference between WiFi and Mobile Data.
Had this gem last week: Someone opened the charger flap on the S5, and the thing broke off. He bend down to pick it off the floor, and dropped the phone instead. Screen cracked, phone dead. Now that customer is demanding that the provider covers the repair costs of the dropped phone. He claims it wasn't his fault that the phone dropped, it was the fault of that broken off flap, and so it should fall under warranty.
"How do I view the photo I just took?" Why are you even using a smartphone?
This also happens about three times a day:
"My phone doesn't work." No other information, just that.
"Sir, which brand and model is your phone?"
"It's an iPhone."
"Which one?"
"An S4."
"Uh, sir, an iPhone 4S or a Samsung Galaxy S4?"
"Aren't they all the same?"
And then there's these people:
"I have a bill here for 300 quid of additional, out-of-package costs. I was calling a friend and forgot to end the call. You should've ended it for me. I'm not paying that."
Oh, and the amount of people referring to 4G as G4.... -.-
On the other side of that coin, I hate talking to the CS reps of ANY technology company.
"I need you to reprovision my data because your system thinks I have an iPhone and it's messing with my data"
"Sir, may I ask have you restarted your phone?"
and I have to go thru like 12 different times telling him to please do what I asked in the first place.
Or I walk into a T-Mobile store and the rep is telling me I can't use a verizon phone on the network, because it's verizon.
"But the phone comes unlocked, just give me a SIM card"
"Verizon is CDMA blah blah"
And I get to argue with the guy for an hour about how things actually work.
Or even worse when I try to get a warranty replacement device. No I don't want to restart my phone or factory reset it, or put in my Google Account login information again, or try a new SIM card, or anything like that.
The device is broken, I know about phones, just replace it and let's get on with it!
So trust me it's very frustrating for us consumers too...
Yep, definitely frustrating for consumers.
I have a phone that runs on unknown network bands, can I test a sim (i would pay the $2 if required)?
Nope, you are already on the best network.
But yours has different frequency bands
*Blank stare* Umm your already on the best network for reception
*Walk out knowing I could do the job better*
Sent from my fake galaxy note 4, now revived from the dead, again!
You do realize that the shop assistants are hired for their sales skills, not their knowledge of the product, I hope? All they receive is Sales training, not product information nor technical training.
Most of them couldn't tell an iPhone apart from a Samsung if their lives depended on it. Going to those monkeys with a tech question is like asking a 5 year old about String Theory. It's pointless.
You might as well walk into IKEA's storage section with a question about network frequencies. You're statistically more likely to find people with tech knowledge there than behind the counter in a provider shop. :laugh:
ShadowLea said:
You do realize that the shop assistants are hired for their service skills, not their knowledge of the product, I hope? All they receive is Sales training, not product information nor technical training.
Most of them couldn't tell an iPhone apart from a Samsung if their lives depended on it. Going to those monkeys with a tech question is like asking a 5 year old about String Theory. It's pointless.
You might as well walk into IKEA's storage section with a question about network frequencies. You're statistically more likely to find people with tech knowledge there than behind the counter in a provider shop. :laugh:
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This is the B&M guys, the "service technicians" on the phone, the "specialists" on the phone, the guys in chats etc.
I have never had someone who knew enough about networks, bands, actual device specs etc, talk to me from any portion of any phone company.
And I've been on every phone network...
orangekid said:
This is the B&M guys, the "service technicians" on the phone, the "specialists" on the phone, the guys in chats etc.
I have never had someone who knew enough about networks, bands, actual device specs etc, talk to me from any portion of any phone company.
And I've been on every phone network...
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From what I know in the EU, you never actually get to speak to the Tech guys when you call in. It's still only a Customer Contact employee. They contact the Tech department on an internal line, but the tech lads never speak to customers. Don't know if the US system is different (probably not).
Oh I've met my fair share of the technologically handicapped in the shops, too. One shining example is the idiot who told me, in 2013, that I shouldn't use Android because it was still a Beta version, and thus I would be at risk of viruses. :laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh:
ShadowLea said:
Oh I've met my fair share of the technologically handicapped in the shops, too. One shining example is the idiot who told me, in 2013, that I shouldn't use Android because it was still a Beta version, and thus I would be at risk of viruses. :laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh:
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Unfortuneately they hate Windows Phone to, which is a shame because aside from apps, it is the second best operating system (beats IOS by a mile)
It's almost so bad, I imagine this thread might be locked if we even reference it.
Cell / Smart phone forums have unanimously united behind the firm belief that changing an ESN for any reason is illegal.
I definitely understand this. I understand forums get cease-and-desist letters for allowing controversial conversations, and frankly XDA has too much cool stuff going on to care about ESN changing. The primary focus of XDA seems to be on firmware hacking and development, and this just happens to lend itself to be an excellent place to discuss cell phone flashing. But XDA isn't the battleground if there's going to be any webhost-level challenge to the idea that changing an ESN can be perfectly fine.
But there's a lot of mass-ferver behind the statement that changing an ESN is illegal, while very little trial-based evidence. And regardless of the actual legality of things, the hysteria seems extreme. How so many people rise to the comment box to loudly proclaim that ESN CHANGING IS ILLEGAL is beyond me.
Wireless Workship, a business that sells their flashing service to US phone dealers nationwide, changes ESNs. They offer a tool called EZ Donor. DFS CDMA Tool and CDMA Workshop advertise and sell software with the feature to change the ESN.
Stores and individuals in the US nationwide offer flashing services by changing ESNs. Phones with altered ESNs to enable service on other carriers are sold on eBay, and have been for as long as it's been a thing.
I have yet to find a single court case pertaining to someone changing an ESN on a phone they own, to get service on a plan they pay for, or on a store front changing ESNs as a service.
So why the craziness? Because people learn about flashing on forums, which are bullied by the establishment. None of this resistance to ESN changing comes from real court cases or even an accurate interpretation of the law.
I'm not a lawyer. And neither are the majority of people that hold this discussion. But maybe we can debate what's common sense. Everywhere the FCC references changing an ESN or MEID, it's in the context of someone committing real victim-based fraud - mainly sniffing credentials out of the air to make free calls on a victim's account.
Forums and the industrial establishment tell one narrative, while the flashing industry lives another. Which is a shame, because while the industry benefits on both sides (less flashing competition), people who attempt to take control of their own devices are left in a dust storm of misinterpretation.
I'm not necessarily posting this to have a discussion on the legality of ESN changing, though you're welcome to make your point if you feel I'm out of line. I'm mainly posting this to make my voice heard. If it gets locked because I muttered voodoo, then hopefully it doesn't get deleted, and at least these ideas get their chance to debut in the supposedly free West.
Also, I'd like to make myself known to anyone out there as a person who's willing to join a cause. I'm happy to launch and attempt to hold a forum where people are free to discuss ESN changing. If anyone out there feels the same and wants to attempt this, then consider me a team member.
Enjoy Thanksgiving everyone and have a safe holiday.
zatz said:
It's almost so bad, I imagine this thread might be locked if we even reference it.
Cell / Smart phone forum
s have unanimously united behind the firm belief that changing an ESN for any reason is illegal.
I definitely understand this. I understand forums get cease-and-desist letters for allowing controversial conversations, and frankly XDA has too much cool stuff going on to care about ESN changing. The primary focus of XDA seems to be on firmware hacking and development, and this just happens to lend itself to be an excellent place to discuss cell phone flashing. But XDA isn't the battleground if there's going to be any webhost-level challenge to the idea that changing an ESN can be perfectly fine.
But there's a lot of mass-ferver behind the statement that changing an ESN is illegal, while very little trial-based evidence. And regardless of the actual legality of things, the hysteria seems extreme. How so many people rise to the comment box to loudly proclaim that ESN CHANGING IS ILLEGAL is beyond me.
Wireless Workship, a business that sells their flashing service to US phone dealers nationwide, changes ESNs. They offer a tool called EZ Donor. DFS CDMA Tool and CDMA Workshop advertise and sell software with the feature to change the ESN.
Stores and individuals in the US nationwide offer flashing services by changing ESNs. Phones with altered ESNs to enable service on other carriers are sold on eBay, and have been for as long as it's been a thing.
I have yet to find a single court case pertaining to someone changing an ESN on a phone they own, to get service on a plan they pay for, or on a store front changing ESNs as a service.
So why the craziness? Because people learn about flashing on forums, which are bullied by the establishment. None of this resistance to ESN changing comes from real court cases or even an accurate interpretation of the law.
I'm not a lawyer. And neither are the majority of people that hold this discussion. But maybe we can debate what's common sense. Everywhere the FCC references changing an ESN or MEID, it's in the context of someone committing real victim-based fraud - mainly sniffing credentials out of the air to make free calls on a victim's account.
Forums and the industrial establishment tell one narrative, while the flashing industry lives another. Which is a shame, because while the industry benefits on both sides (less flashing competition), people who attempt to take control of their own devices are left in a dust storm of misinterpretation.
I'm not necessarily posting this to have a discussion on the legality of ESN changing, though you're welcome to make your point if you feel I'm out of line. I'm mainly posting this to make my voice heard. If it gets locked because I muttered voodoo, then hopefully it doesn't get deleted, and at least these ideas get their chance to debut in the supposedly free West.
Also, I'd like to make myself known to anyone out there as a person who's willing to join a cause. I'm happy to launch and attempt to hold a forum where people are free to discuss ESN changing. If anyone out there feels the same and wants to attempt this, then consider me a team member.
Enjoy Thanksgiving everyone and have a safe holiday.
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Since you are posting not to make discussion and since you know the stance on XDA regarding this item, why post...Thread Closed.