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Arvato interview at Microsoft

  • 15-09-2012 01:20PM
    #1
    duende12
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29 ✭


    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


«1

Comments

  • #2
    boobar
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,226 ✭✭✭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.


  • #3
    Sync
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 595 ✭✭✭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! :)


  • #4
    duende12
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29 ✭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 :)


  • #5
    m5ex9oqjawdg2i
    Closed Accounts Posts: 11,220 ✭✭✭✭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. ;)


  • #6
    duende12
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29 ✭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


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  • #7
    maguic24
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,790 ✭✭✭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. :(


  • #8
    duende12
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29 ✭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.


  • #9
    maguic24
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,790 ✭✭✭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?


  • #10
    duende12
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29 ✭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.


  • #11
    maguic24
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,790 ✭✭✭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?


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  • #12
    duende12
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29 ✭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??


  • #13
    maguic24
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,790 ✭✭✭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. :)


  • #14
    duende12
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29 ✭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 :)


  • #15
    o1s1n
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 36,368 ✭✭✭✭o1s1n
    Master of the Universe


    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.


  • #16
    duende12
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29 ✭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 :)


  • #17
    manbat
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 72 ✭✭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.


  • #18
    duende12
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29 ✭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.


  • #19
    manbat
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 72 ✭✭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.


  • #20
    maguic24
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,790 ✭✭✭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.


  • #21
    Magenta
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,957 ✭✭✭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?


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  • #22
    duende12
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29 ✭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.


  • #23
    manbat
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 72 ✭✭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.


  • #24
    maguic24
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,790 ✭✭✭maguic24


    Hey duende,

    Have you heard anything back yet?


  • #25
    duende12
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29 ✭duende12


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


  • #26
    maguic24
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,790 ✭✭✭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?


  • #27
    duende12
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29 ✭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 :confused:


  • #28
    maguic24
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,790 ✭✭✭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 :confused:

    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.


  • #29
    duende12
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29 ✭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


  • #30
    g3l8usd9inoptz
    Closed Accounts Posts: 133 ✭✭g3l8usd9inoptz


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


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  • #31
    maguic24
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,790 ✭✭✭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. :)


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