Phone Interview Time

I personally would not send my kid to school that day. I would also get activities to entertain her while you have the interview. Like a really good movie she has never seen. Popcorn and soda. Anything to keep her occupied.

If you ask the teacher to watch her, please have a coke and a bag of chips for them both to enjoy while you are in the car. The teacher may even allow you to use her classroom while she takes your daughter to the library to wait.

A gift of food at the end of the day works wonders for us teachers!

I'd be sitting at the school at 1:30 waiting for that call. Maybe talk to the teacher prior to 1:30 and let her know what's up....OR just dont send your daughter to school that day.

I have had phone interviews last 30 minutes, some an hour and a half. I recommend talking with the teacher or another parent at drop off to get back up. Try to not fall back on having her with you to completely focus on the interview. Phone interviews can be tough because there isn't the face to face and that is huge. Good luck!!

I would do two things - 1. just as you are. Be at the school early - take your call, etc.
2. when you take the call and you notice it is getting close to the pick up time, let the interviewer know you did have a time conflict and in 15 minutes you will need to take a brief moment to pick up your daughter and then you can return to the interview. How would they prefer to handle that?
I think by being up front and in control of the situation shows strength and maturity, not weakness. I wouldn't volunteer it up front because you aren't sure how long the interview will last, but simply be prepared to have the conversation if needed.
I had someone call me for an unscheduled phone interview when I was driving home from vacation. Both my boys started screaming about needing to use the restroom. I simply told the woman I'd need to call her back in 20 minutes. I've been in that job for more than three years:)

Good luck!!

I would call the job contact and let them know that you are very interested but have another commitment at 2 PM already that you can move to 2:30. Do they think that is enough time? Also, a lot of phone screens are via Skype so you actually see eachother. Make sure they did not send you Skype info and that they are indeed just calling via phone.
Good luck with getting the job.

Let your daughter's Teacher know... and give her a head's up.. that way, IF you are late, your daughter's Teachers KNOWS why and will help keep an eye on your daughter... and so your daughter will not worry, and then the school/Teachers will not think you are just being flaky and late in picking her up.

Make sure, you are not in a noisy place while the phone interview takes place. In your car, I imagine? With windows closed?

Some phone interviews, can last 1/2 hour. Did they tell you how long it would take?

Do you know even one classmate's parent who could keep an eye on her on the playground or something for 15 minutes? I can't imagine it going past an hour. I would not ask the teacher to essentially "babysit" your daughter, even for 15 minutes. It seems rude and disrespectful to me.

I would tell the preschool teacher. From my experience, if they know you have to be late on occasion, they are usually willing to work with you on it. They may get your daughter involved in cleanup after class or find an aid to do puzzles with her.

If you can't reschedule the interview, I would suggest either... 1) ask the teacher if it's ok to be late - don't just assume it is. or, 2) Is it possible to just get your little girl out early? Then she could already be at home and you wouldn't have to worry about picking her up. I would then have a serious talk with her and tell her while mommy is on the phone, you need to stay in the other room and mommy will let you know when she is off the phone. Have a snack, toys, and a coloring book or something to keep her occupied. And also let her know the consequences of her interrupting your phone conversation.

Good luck and I hope you get the job!!

Talk with your PreK provider and let them know what's going on. I would offer to pay one of the aides to babysit your daughter (if needed) should you run late.

I have participated in/conducuted many phone interviews and they rarely last longer than 30 minutes. You could call the company ahead of time and politely ask how long you should allow for the interview. The secretary should be able to answer that question. My guess is that she will say 20-30 minutes. That's pretty standard for any interview.

I know some have said just don't send her to school. However, you do need to have a quiet space to have your interview. It would be very hard for you to interview with your child right there making all sorts of noise in the background. I don't know what type of job you are interviewing for.

I have had phone interviews last 15 to 20 minutes or an hour. I would talk to the teacher and see if she would be okay keeping your daughter a little longer than normal. Having the interview in your car is no problem. I have done that several times. Good luck!!!

I would ask another mom to pick her up or at least hang out with her while you're in the car on your interview call. I would not ask the teacher - they are not babysitters and you can't get around that Union contract!

If no one can pick her up for you or entertain her for a little while while you finish up, then I would keep her home that day or reschedule.

if they routinely schedule phone interview times without checking with the interviewees first, they're probably used to needing to reschedule. unless they're total jerks to work for, they have to be aware that some people might have a time conflict.
if you're not comfortable trying to reschedule, i'd arrange to pick your daughter up early. pre-K isn't that big a deal. have plenty of stuff to keep her content when you get her home.
the best solution would be to have another mom pick her up and watch her for a while, but i gather this isn't an option?
i do NOT think that asking the pre-K teacher to stay late is appropriate.
khairete
S.

Just tell the preschool that you have an interview that can't be rescheduled & you might be a little late. I'm sure they won't mind.

I am sorry, but I would NOT keep a 3 or 4 year old home with me while interviewing for a job over the phone. You know that Murphy's Law!

A phone interview will not last longer that 30 minutes, I'm betting. I think you'll be fine.