Arvato interview at Microsoft

duende12

Hi,

I have an interview with Arvato in the microsoft building in sandyford next week. I wanted to know if anyone has had experience with them?? It seems like a fairly casual workplace , so should i dress down? Anyone one know anything about the partnership with microsoft ?? As far as i know they handle contracts for microsoft with smes.



Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

boobar

I would suggest suit, shirt and tie.

It may appear to be casual...but you're going to an interview, so best to be overdressed than under-dressed in my opinion.

Sync

For the first day, wear a suit pants and a shirt at least, give them a good first impression. Every other day is jeans and t-shirt up there, but for the induction every other new person will be wearing fancy clothes so don't look like a bum in there.
In the interview, mention your attention to detail as often as you can, as they love it... and best of luck to you! Grand place to work, money isn't great but there is little pressure put on you, so meh!

duende12

Thanks Sync,

I have already interviewed there before, and felt I was overdressed and the two interviewers were very casual both in their interview style and dress. I'm aware of the salary; under 20,000 but i'm a graduate and its more important to me to have a good working environment than huge salary. Can you give me any specifics on the functions they carry out for Microsoft I've done research but not finding the info I need.

Thanks again

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

Can you give more information on the job as there are many many positions in Microsoft Sandyford. Is it a temporary or full-time position? Is it data entry or online advertising? I worked there for a while, nice spot, quite layed back once you do your work. Food is good and it's quite cheap. Lots of friendly people working there, although my supervisor was the devil reincarnate.

Arvato have a contract to fulfill with Microsoft, that's the important part.

duende12

Pearl Freezing Hillbilly wrote: »

Can you give more information on the job as there are many many positions in Microsoft Sandyford. Is it a temporary or full-time position? Is it data entry or online advertising? I worked there for a while, nice spot, quite layed back once you do your work. Food is good and it's quite cheap. Lots of friendly people working there, although my supervisor was the devil reincarnate.

Arvato have a contract to fulfill with Microsoft, that's the important part.

Its admin/Customer services position. Hope I get it this time last interview I had with them was a joke, the two interviewers can't have been older than 28 and one of them never looked up from her laptop the whole time :O

maguic24

duende12 wrote: »

Its admin/Customer services position. Hope I get it this time last interview I had with them was a joke, the two interviewers can't have been older than 28 and one of them never looked up from her laptop the whole time :O

I have an interview with them as well, tomorrow, it's for a transaction specialist position. Getting a bit nervous now.

duende12

maguic24 wrote: »

I have an interview with them as well, tomorrow, it's for a transaction specialist position. Getting a bit nervous now.

Yup, that's the one. What languages do you have??? Second time was much better for me.

maguic24

duende12 wrote: »

Yup, that's the one. What languages do you have??? Second time was much better for me.

English. :P Intermediate Italian, and I'm learning swedish at the moment. Are they big on languages?

duende12

maguic24 wrote: »

English. :P Intermediate Italian, and I'm learning swedish at the moment. Are they big on languages?

My impression was if your not fluent in another European language apart from English you were at a distinct disadvantage. It could come down to someone who has more experience though. Best of Luck.

maguic24

duende12 wrote: »

My impression was if your not fluent in another European language apart from English you were at a distinct disadvantage. It could come down to someone who has more experience though. Best of Luck.

Thanks, have you done your interview? What languages do you have?

duende12

maguic24 wrote: »

Thanks, have you done your interview? What languages do you have?

Sorry I didn't have the chance to reply until now. Spanish (Fluent) French (Intermediate) and English (Native) Haven't heard Back yet but haven't got their rejection e-mail back either so im still hopeful. How did it go for you??

maguic24

duende12 wrote: »

Sorry I didn't have the chance to reply until now. Spanish (Fluent) French (Intermediate) and English (Native) Haven't heard Back yet but haven't got their rejection e-mail back either so im still hopeful. How did it go for you??

I haven't heard anything back either, but apparently they are interviewing for a good few positions. They said I should hear back next week. The two people who interviewed me were really nice. Fingers crossed for the both of us.

duende12

maguic24 wrote: »

I haven't heard anything back either, but apparently they are interviewing for a good few positions. They said I should hear back next week. The two people who interviewed me were really nice. Fingers crossed for the both of us.

Ya hope we both have luck. The two who interviewed me this time were extremely nice and a lot more professional. Ya they seem to have a few positions going and it seems like a nice place to work. Again best of luck

o1s1n

As someone who interviews in this very building - I'm always more impressed when people dress up. We would see a lot of people dropping in with just a shirt on (which is fine too), but those who dress up in suits do come accross a bit better when they initially walk in.

As for your first days there - if you're in CCO licensing as a transaction specialist (in building 4, mostly vendors), then it's casual all the time. Maybe just wear a decent shirt on your first day. You will be very causual in your atire after about a week though, trust me on that one. You'd feel very out of place dressed up.

If you're in the main Microsoft building (Building 3) people can be a little fancier dressed - again, you don't have to be in a suit every day, but I'd definitely consider wearing a shirt at least.

duende12

o1s1n wrote: »

As someone who interviews in this very building - I'm always more impressed when people dress up. We would see a lot of people dropping in with just a shirt on (which is fine too), but those who dress up in suits do come accross a bit better when they initially walk in.

As for your first days there - if you're in CCO licensing as a transaction specialist (in building 4, mostly vendors), then it's casual all the time. Maybe just wear a decent shirt on your first day. You will be very causual in your atire after about a week though, trust me on that one. You'd feel very out of place dressed up.

If you're in the main Microsoft building (Building 3) people can be a little fancier dressed - again, you don't have to be in a suit every day, but I'd definitely consider wearing a shirt at least.

Thanks very helpful. I went with shirt , tie and slacks and reckon it was appropriate I hope. I personally feel uncomfortable wearing a full suit (but will put on a suit jacket if I feel the organisation is very formal). When I walked in and saw a female employee with a hoody and half shaved head i did feel very overdressed i have to admit.

Anyway im sure at the end of the day skillset and competency is more important. Just really got a good feeling about the place and think im well suited hope i get something

manbat

Shocking company to work for! The treatment of staff is disgraceful. You'll quickly realise when you get talking to other employees.

I lasted over a year in there, how I did I'll never know.

duende12

manbat wrote: »

Shocking company to work for! The treatment of staff is disgraceful. You'll quickly realise when you get talking to other employees.

I lasted over a year in there, how I did I'll never know.

Really? have to say I'm quite shocked. Can you elaborate? By chance does it have anything to do with having to work unusual hours and weekends.

manbat

They just exploit staff as much as possible, whatever way they can, they are not competitive with the current admin/Customer service market.

Massive turnover of staff should be the biggest beacon here. Get talking to a few people in there if you can and you'll find out more, I don't wanna harp on here with all the stories and experiences I've had.

maguic24

manbat wrote: »

They just exploit staff as much as possible, whatever way they can, they are not competitive with the current admin/Customer service market.

Massive turnover of staff should be the biggest beacon here. Get talking to a few people in there if you can and you'll find out more, I don't wanna harp on here with all the stories and experiences I've had.

I find that quite surprising as well! The lady I spoke with did tell me that you would have to work overtime at certain times of the year, which I was perfectly okay with. I do not expect the job to be a bed of roses or any job for that matter, especially given the fact that we are in a recession. I am a recent graduate, so every big company is looking to exploit us in one way or another, we are fresh, just out college and they can put us on low wages given the fact we do not have that much experience. The role will be challenging, I am sure, but all the better.

Magenta

duende12 wrote: »

Its admin/Customer services position. Hope I get it this time last interview I had with them was a joke, the two interviewers can't have been older than 28

What's wrong with that? I am under 28 and I interview in my company.
Ageist much?

duende12

Magenta wrote: »

What's wrong with that? I am under 28 and I interview in my company.
Ageist much?

No not at all as i'm of a similar age . I was merely mentioning this as it was probably the reason for the lack of maturity/professionalism. No where did I say that people of that age should interview. I had another interview different company and the girl was my age (early twenties) and was completely professional and competent. So it all just depends I guess.

manbat

duende12 wrote: »

I was merely mentioning this as it was probably the reason for the lack of maturity/professionalism.

*Opens door

That's the ageist part dude.

*Closes door and runs off.

maguic24

Hey duende,

Have you heard anything back yet?

duende12

Just an e-mail yesterday from them saying that they were still reviewing all applications. you hear anything???

maguic24

Yeah I got the same email as well, which I thought was very professional, considering half the interviews I went to, I heard nothing back at all! Infuriating to say the least!

Was it Maria who rang you as well?

duende12

Yeah it was Maria. Ya its always infuriating, how even some of the big multinationals couldn't be bothered at the very least to send a generic e-mail saying you've been unsuccessful , it can't take all of 5 minutes. Hopefully we will both be lucky. But them reposting the job on jobs.ie makes me somewhat worried

maguic24

duende12 wrote: »

Yeah it was Maria. Ya its always infuriating, how even some of the big multinationals couldn't be bothered at the very least to send a generic e-mail saying you've been unsuccessful , it can't take all of 5 minutes. Hopefully we will both be lucky. But them reposting the job on jobs.ie makes me somewhat worried

Really, I never seen that! I wouldn't be too worried, have you been reading the papers lately? Arvato are splashed all over it with new jobs, 100 new jobs. So don't be too worried. They are hoping to fill 100 to 150 new positions by 2014.

duende12

maguic24 wrote: »

Really, I never seen that! I wouldn't be too worried, have you been reading the papers lately? Arvato are splashed all over it with new jobs, 100 new jobs. So don't be too worried. They are hoping to fill 100 to 150 new positions by 2014.

Ok i'm a bit less worried now. But out of all the interviews I've done (4 in the last week) this is the one i'd prefer even though the others offer much better salary. Well i guess now its just a matter of waiting and hoping Maguic24 i will pm you to keep you updated. Hope at least one of us will get something

g3l8usd9inoptz

did u get arvato job and how r they to work for?

maguic24

Layton Limited Armada wrote: »

did u get arvato job and how r they to work for?

Hi Simon, I got a job offer for Arvato and I initially accepted, but then I got another job offer for a job I preferred so I took that instead and I am delighted. Very happy in the job I am currently in.

Karmantonio

Please stay away from Arvato!! my gf got a job there last month and since then she's been asked to work on average 12 hours shift a day including weekends and EASTER sunday, in june they are expecting to work 22 days in a row on a 12 hours shifts!!!! nevertheless they dont even pay overtime and the whole transaction specialist dept is on a 19K contract!! im still trying to figure out how thiscan be legal in a EUROPEAN country!! last friday she handed out her notice after only 6 weeks in the role, but as you can all imagine it is phisically impossible to sustain such shifts in the long term!!!

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

Karmantonio wrote: »

Please stay away from Arvato!! my gf got a job there last month and since then she's been asked to work on average 12 hours shift a day including weekends and EASTER sunday, in june they are expecting to work 22 days in a row on a 12 hours shifts!!!! nevertheless they dont even pay overtime and the whole transaction specialist dept is on a 19K contract!! im still trying to figure out how thiscan be legal in a EUROPEAN country!! last friday she handed out her notice after only 6 weeks in the role, but as you can all imagine it is phisically impossible to sustain such shifts in the long term!!!

Accenture was there before Arvato, they paid overtime.

That pay for them hours doesn't sound right, but I think Arvato will have it covered legally.

g3l8usd9inoptz

Yes it's 19k

As you work under an annualized hours system they do not pay overtime apart from bank holidays. This is paid at your hourly rate.

In July and January each year we do a calculation to see if you have worked the correct number of hours you should have in a 6 month period based on a 40 hour week. If there is a negative or positive balance we deduct or pay out the hours. We pay you hours at €10 per hour.

maguic24

Layton Limited Armada wrote: »

Yes it's 19k

As you work under an annualized hours system they do not pay overtime apart from bank holidays. This is paid at your hourly rate.

In July and January each year we do a calculation to see if you have worked the correct number of hours you should have in a 6 month period based on a 40 hour week. If there is a negative or positive balance we deduct or pay out the hours. We pay you hours at €10 per hour.

Q: Are people obliged to work 12 hour shifts 22 days in a row? :O

g3l8usd9inoptz

maguic24 wrote: »

Q: Are people obliged to work 12 hour shifts 22 days in a row? :O

June is year end so yes they will be working stupid hours and some nights can be working till midnight

Niallof9

Layton Limited Armada wrote: »

June is year end so yes they will be working stupid hours and some nights can be working till midnight

Hi sorry to ask perhaps a silly question. got offered a short term there. whats the role entail. Have a week to decide but I'm not entirely sure what it entails? thanks

g3l8usd9inoptz

Niallof9 wrote: »

Hi sorry to ask perhaps a silly question. got offered a short term there. whats the role entail. Have a week to decide but I'm not entirely sure what it entails? thanks

Just a whole lot of data entry is all

finnteme

Layton Limited Armada wrote: »

Yes it's 19k

As you work under an annualized hours system they do not pay overtime apart from bank holidays. This is paid at your hourly rate.

In July and January each year we do a calculation to see if you have worked the correct number of hours you should have in a 6 month period based on a 40 hour week. If there is a negative or positive balance we deduct or pay out the hours. We pay you hours at €10 per hour.

Just curious, are you official represetantive of Arvato answering questions here?

Niallof9

Layton Limited Armada wrote: »

Just a whole lot of data entry is all

Cheers for reply. Is there much phone work? I presume its filling the legal/admn documents etc that have been sorted out elsewhere?

g3l8usd9inoptz

finnteme wrote: »

Just curious, are you official represetantive of Arvato answering questions here?

Nope an x employee

g3l8usd9inoptz

Niallof9 wrote: »

Cheers for reply. Is there much phone work? I presume its filling the legal/admn documents etc that have been sorted out elsewhere?

No phone work at all for a transaction specialist. The work is all computer based data entry. Very boring I lasted 2months. Be prepared if working in June it's year end long hours including weekends. One week I did 80hours

Niallof9

Layton Limited Armada wrote: »

No phone work at all for a transaction specialist. The work is all computer based data entry. Very boring I lasted 2months. Be prepared if working in June it's year end long hours including weekends. One week I did 80hours

Cheers. Thats a long week alright. i'd imagine its boring. Last post was logging video for production so i have a system to keep boredom at bay. It is June alright, but short term (two months like yourself) so in my mind its good holiday pay for August! im freelance video/photog other months. thanks for info mate!

g3l8usd9inoptz

Niallof9 wrote: »

Cheers. Thats a long week alright. i'd imagine its boring. Last post was logging video for production so i have a system to keep boredom at bay. It is June alright, but short term (two months like yourself) so in my mind its good holiday pay for August! im freelance video/photog other months. thanks for info mate!

No bother enjoy the summer