How to get a job at AT&T.

Why do they ask for drug test and background check before they ever even speak to you, do you know?
That seems like a huge waste of money, and if they have never even spoken with/interviewed you to know that they are considering giving you an offer....then why the background check FIRST. I have never done anything wrong so not a problem, but seems a bit unprofessional and invasive before they have even spoken to you!!
Just curious!
Thanks again!

I don't know. I didn't take a drug test until after I got hired. This is a new process they are doing.

Oh well, like I said, I was just curious!
Thanks again!

Oh! Do you know when the training class starts?

One just started and they were interviewing yesterday. Hurry!

VERY helpful! :-) Thanks so much! Have a great evening!

I've passed my initial phone interview, testing, and was offered a care position with AT&T Wireless. The manager told me this is all pending my background check and drug test. I'm not worries about the drug test at all, but I may have bee wrong on the dates of a previous job. Should I worry?

Jenna J in Tukwila, Washington said: I've passed my initial phone interview, testing, and was offered a care position with AT&T Wireless. The manager told me this is all pending my background check and drug test. I'm not worries about the drug test at all, but I may have bee wrong on the dates of a previous job. Should I worry?

No, all of that will be verified with the background check. If you are off by a month or two, that is no big deal. What they are interested in is your total years of experience. That is how your wage credits will be calculated. Good luck.

I got an email for me to consent a background investigation for the outside technical position in bessemer, Alabama, back on December 23.

Since then, i have not heard anything. I have tried to send the contact two emails to see how long the check would take, and how many/what steps were next in the process.

Does anyone have any advice on what i need to do? Should i keep sending emails to get a response from them? Or, should i just wait it out?

I really need this job, since i was laid off from Mercedes back in December along with 200 others.

Credulity in Cordova said: I got an email for me to consent a background investigation for the outside technical position in bessemer, Alabama, back on December 23.

Since then, i have not heard anything. I have tried to send the contact two emails to see how long the check would take, and how many/what steps were next in the process.

Does anyone have any advice on what i need to do? Should i keep sending emails to get a response from them? Or, should i just wait it out?

I really need this job, since i was laid off from Mercedes back in December along with 200 others.

I wish you luk in this forum that is a ghost town as you can see people dont post here hardly ever , I was called last week and they send me to a drug test and they are doing the background check, I dont know how long it takes for them to verify everything, hang in there and try to keep calling o e mailing them.
Good luck

JAC in San Antonio, Texas said: Cingular was purchased by Alltel. So unless they reported the bill as a write off on your credit record, you should not have to worry.

Cingular was purchased by at&t. It transitioned from "the new at&t" to at&t mobility.
However, either way it wouldn't make much of a difference.

Charnae-n-SC in South Carolina said: Cingular was purchased by at&t. It transitioned from "the new at&t" to at&t mobility.
However, either way it wouldn't make much of a difference.

Cingular was purchased by Alltel. AT&T wireless was a segment for cellular with AT&T. Part of the agreement for AT&T to merge with SBC, was for SBC to sell off Cingular and AT&T would bring AT&T wireless over. I know as I was involved when the merger was done. Too bad Ed Whitacre had to step down. Randall Stephenson is a numbers man and could care less about the human machines that work in his company. In more ways then one, the OLD AT&T is back.

You are right about that JAC. The VERY OLD at&t is back. EVERYONE BEWARE

KC Fan in California said: No, all of that will be verified with the background check. If you are off by a month or two, that is no big deal. What they are interested in is your total years of experience. That is how your wage credits will be calculated. Good luck.

Thanks for the advice. I just got my confirmation call today to begin training on Monday. I was so shocked because I originally thought training would start in March, but certainly no complaints here. The whole application to hire time took only 2 weeks (way faster than I imagined). It was so ironic that I got a call from the background check company the day after I originally posted. It was to just clarify some education stuff.

Jenna J in Tukwila, Washington said: Thanks for the advice. I just got my confirmation call today to begin training on Monday. I was so shocked because I originally thought training would start in March, but certainly no complaints here. The whole application to hire time took only 2 weeks (way faster than I imagined). It was so ironic that I got a call from the background check company the day after I originally posted. It was to just clarify some education stuff.

When did you interview, and how long did it take them to call you back?

Thanks

The company that is supposedly doing my background check is called first advantage.

I still haven't heard from my hr contact from att. It's been over a month now with no response

Just be patient and try talking to the HR person in your area, hey did my background check and took a week, I am in FLorida.

Good luck,

That's the issue, though. I have no way of getting in touch with anyone in hr. The only contact i have is the person who is working my background check, and the is no communication from them.

Does anyone have an alternate way to contact someone in hr from my area

I applied for ATT and was sent the email to schedule a test, which has to be done no later than today. I'm somehwat apprehensive about the job because it requires me to move (about 3 hrs away) and I'd hate to relocate just be disappointed in the coming months. There are no decent jobs in that area either. Sighs.

Well Let me say AT&T is a good company that's full of bs. I was hired a year ago as a TFT(temp full time) I/R Tech. I did have to wait 6 month for benefits, but I didn't have to pay for my insurance. Nothing... not a dime!!! I was making about 35000 a year, with a $2-$3 raise very 6 months. Dang good for a 22 year old! Then I was forced to a cable splicing position due to budget cuts. That lasted for 3 months then I was laid off. They said we need to apply for prem tech job but they hired outside people first. And never called back. I applied on-line for an account rev mgmnt job with AT&T 2 month later and was hired back. Less pay no free insurance, but I kept my start date and came back with 3 weeks fresh vaction!! It's not a bad company, as long as you can get in 1 year service as full time, not temp.

I interviewed on Feb 12th. On Feb 20 i got a email that i qualified on the BEI and then on the 23rd i got a email telling me to print this out and take a drug test. I was told the training class starts on March 2nd. So I'm just very nervous now wanting to know if i got the job or not. I hope to hear something today... I know a background check takes a week or so is it possible they have done that already? and i was off like a couple of months on a couple of jobs will that hurt me? Nervous as Hell LOL!

I was told it starts march 2nd also u basically have the job if they ask u to do a background check well i never took a bei i took a csa but then i got an email 2/24 saying i didnt qualify on the interview and earlier that morning i got an email asking my permission to do a background check so that doesnt make sense cuz i did the interview two weeks ago 2/10. Im confused I contacted the recruiter for Augusta and Conyers, GA and left multiple messages and I cannot get an answer and she has not gotten back to me. HELP SOMEBODY PLEASE.

The BEI was basically the interview. that is very confusing. Tuesday was the day i took the drug test as she sent the email to me asking me to go take a drug test Monday evening. i didn't hear anything from them 2day. I'm figuring today will be the day. The first time i tried awhile ago i got that email saying i didn't quality but i didn't get a email later saying to do the drug test. YOu should have gotten that email for a background check along with filling out the official application which is why i feel you when you say this is very confusing.

Hey guys. So I have an interview on Thursday for an ATT wireless store. The position applied for is sales consultant. I have a major problem that I think has not gotten me a job so far.

So how is the background check? Do they actually call the office of your previous job because I use to work at an indirect cell phone dealer, but the company changed names and is under a new owner. The thing is I got fired from that company, but can they find that out? I was planning to tell them that I was laid off due to the company changing names. Please let me know on what step i should take. Thank you.

askjeeves01 in Oakland, California said: Hey guys. So I have an interview on Thursday for an ATT wireless store. The position applied for is sales consultant. I have a major problem that I think has not gotten me a job so far.

So how is the background check? Do they actually call the office of your previous job because I use to work at an indirect cell phone dealer, but the company changed names and is under a new owner. The thing is I got fired from that company, but can they find that out? I was planning to tell them that I was laid off due to the company changing names. Please let me know on what step i should take. Thank you.

I think you should just wait it out. If they decided not to hire you because of that issue then you telling them isn't going to make a difference at this point. At the same, you don't want to shoot yourself in the foot by divulging something that they may not find out anyway. Just wait and see what happens.

Hey guys. Just wanted to update and ask a few more questions. I had an interview on thursday, and at the end of the interview he told me that I would recieve a call or email by the end of the week because they were still interviewing people. I called in on wednesday and talked to the same interviewer, and he told me that no candidates were considered yet until the end of this week. Isn't he just saying that? I mean how long does it take for them to call or email you?

askjeeves01 in Oakland, California said: Hey guys. Just wanted to update and ask a few more questions. I had an interview on thursday, and at the end of the interview he told me that I would recieve a call or email by the end of the week because they were still interviewing people. I called in on wednesday and talked to the same interviewer, and he told me that no candidates were considered yet until the end of this week. Isn't he just saying that? I mean how long does it take for them to call or email you?

He could be telling the truth (let's hope he is), but to me it sounds like the same old, canned, generic response they always use when they are to afraid to be honest to tell you that they went or will go or with someone else. I hope I'm wrong..good luck!

Hire_mE in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina said: He could be telling the truth (let's hope he is), but to me it sounds like the same old, canned, generic response they always use when they are to afraid to be honest to tell you that they went or will go or with someone else. I hope I'm wrong..good luck!

*too afraid

I have an interview on Thursday and I have an issue with my background. I have a shpolifting charge from 1991. I was given 1 yr probation,no jailtime and first offender treatment which means after completing probation my record is sealed and doesnt show a conviction although the arrest date does show. I don't want to waste my time with a company who is not open to second chances. I have 10 years customer service and sales experience. If anyone have any info as to AT&T's hiring practices for my situation please respond. Thanks and Good luck to everyone here. S.Becker

So did you get the job Nathaniel Garnett

Not aure about AT&T but from what I've found during my interactions with Wachovia is that they do allow room for past mistakes. Not that I've had any but they sent me an email after I got granted a face 2 face interview saying to disclose EVERYTHING and they'll work with you, just don't let them stumble upon it. They say they work with people who have had bumps in the past. Good luck.

dre132000 in Augusta, Georgia said: So did you get the job Nathaniel Garnett

Yes, i did dre132000? started on march 2nd. Its been good so far.

Do you have any tips for the interveiw because I got an email saying that I did not qualify on the interview, so im going to reapply.

dre132000,

Hmm, i didn't qualify the first time i know myself but when i did the interview again i did change a couple of things but i focus on SALES more. I had the same guy who remembered me and was shocked i failed which surprised me. Just keep trying man. It took me a year and its a guy in my class he said it took him 5 YEARS!! If it a job you really want DO NOT GIVE UP!! If you have a question you can ask me. i,love.anime1980@gmail.com is my email address. I forget about this forum... Later.

ok thanks man i'll do that, my interview went so well i was sure I had it, I think the interviewer's name was Matt he was real cool, Ima try again about June or so

Yea i heard it is stressful but I figured your getting paid for the stress, Im working in retail and im stressed everyday making a little above minimum wage

It really depends what call center you are in. I'm a CBC Sales Rep, so we don't have as much pressure as Large Team Sales reps do, like Miami... Just don't do anything unethical, because some people are and it's not right, which makes it harder for the rest of us.

What would disqualify someone from the background check?

Hello people,

I applied online for the customer service position in Evansville Indiana. Then at the end of the application was told to call this 1-800 number where they then set me up for a appointment(which is tomorrow)to do some testing and fill out another application. Thought it was odd that I would have to fill out another application.

Anyways, I do have 4 years customer service experience and was just curious if it really takes that long for them to make a decision if they are going to hire you. I have read all these post, and I am amazed to hear that it can takes months!!!

If anyone else has applied for a customer service position and did get the job , please let me know how long it took and what steps you had to take.

Wish me luck!

Hello There! I'm sorry to hear about your experience with AT&T and wanted to respond to let you know that AT&T descriminates against being over 35 because I very well am... I'm not sure what your employment status is currently; for I see you posted your comment 11 months ago, but AT&T has a class starting later this month for Customer Service Reps in their Orlando office. I, too am over 35 and was offered the position. The process may take a little longer than most people expect for a CSR position, but it's worth it. The 1st interview consisted of an orientation, then testing for about an hour. Once you pass the testing, they will contact you within 1-3 weeks to ask you to return for a 2nd interview. If you answer the questions to their liking during the 2nd interview, they'll offer you the position just before your interview ends. Within 24 hours of being offered the position, you have to go through the drug screening process and the background screening company they use, HireRight, gets right on conducting information on your background and employment history. Since it was over 6 months ago that you applied, I would suggest that you reapply if you're not currently employed. Please let me know if you have any other questions and good luck on your search.

Disgruntled in Winter Park, Florida said: I have several years of customer service experience and possess excellent customer service skills, communication skills and telephone etiquette as well as solid computer skills. I successfully passed the customer service test, however my application for employment was rejected based on my answers to some of the interview questions. My answers were misinterpreted by the interviewer and I was therefore denied an opportunity for employment. I sincerely believe that this company practices age discrimination and takes every opportunity to disqualify older applicants. Don't waste your time applying if you are over 35.

Hello There! I'm sorry to hear about your experience with AT&T and wanted to respond to let you know that AT&T does not descriminates against being over 35 because I very well am... I'm not sure what your employment status is currently; for I see you posted your comment 11 months ago, but AT&T has a class starting later this month for Customer Service Reps in their Orlando office. I, too am over 35 and was offered the position. The process may take a little longer than most people expect for a CSR position, but it's worth it. The 1st interview consisted of an orientation, then testing for about an hour. Once you pass the testing, they will contact you within 1-3 weeks to ask you to return for a 2nd interview. If you answer the questions to their liking during the 2nd interview, they'll offer you the position just before your interview ends. Within 24 hours of being offered the position, you have to go through the drug screening process and the background screening company they use, HireRight, gets right on conducting information on your background and employment history. Since it was over 6 months ago that you applied, I would suggest that you reapply if you're not currently employed. Please let me know if you have any other questions and good luck on your search.

Disgruntled in Winter Park, Florida said: I have several years of customer service experience and possess excellent customer service skills, communication skills and telephone etiquette as well as solid computer skills. I successfully passed the customer service test, however my application for employment was rejected based on my answers to some of the interview questions. My answers were misinterpreted by the interviewer and I was therefore denied an opportunity for employment. I sincerely believe that this company practices age discrimination and takes every opportunity to disqualify older applicants. Don't waste your time applying if you are over 35.

Hello There! I'm sorry to hear about your experience with AT&T and wanted to respond to let you know that AT&T does not descriminate against being over 35 because I very well am... I'm not sure what your employment status is currently; for I see you posted your comment 11 months ago, but AT&T has a class starting later this month for Customer Service Reps in their Orlando office. I, too am over 35 and was offered the position. The process may take a little longer than most people expect for a CSR position, but it's worth it. The 1st interview consisted of an orientation, then testing for about an hour. Once you pass the testing, they will contact you within 1-3 weeks to ask you to return for a 2nd interview. If you answer the questions to their liking during the 2nd interview, they'll offer you the position just before your interview ends. Within 24 hours of being offered the position, you have to go through the drug screening process and the background screening company they use, HireRight, gets right on conducting information on your background and employment history. Since it was over 6 months ago that you applied, I would suggest that you reapply if you're not currently employed. Please let me know if you have any other questions and good luck on your search.

Disgruntled in Winter Park, Florida said: I have several years of customer service experience and possess excellent customer service skills, communication skills and telephone etiquette as well as solid computer skills. I successfully passed the customer service test, however my application for employment was rejected based on my answers to some of the interview questions. My answers were misinterpreted by the interviewer and I was therefore denied an opportunity for employment. I sincerely believe that this company practices age discrimination and takes every opportunity to disqualify older applicants. Don't waste your time applying if you are over 35.

Hi,

I really need someone advice. I have read most of the responds here but I couldn't find anything that is exactly as my situation. I got a job offer by email with ATT. I have submitted apps so they can run all the different background checks about a week ago. I am confident to pass everything except previous jobs date. It is off by 4 or 5 months.

My start date is in 2 weeks. I want to know if i should forget about this opportunity and work on other job opportunity because I will fail the previous job test unless it returns N/A. I know the hiring mangers really likes me and they want me to start asap. I wonder how lenient they are with background checks. Also all of my previous employers either went out of business or got bought over by another company, so I i think they might not able to get a hold of any body. The previous employment check might comes back N/A. I don't want to start to work for a week or so and they ended up letting me go.

Hello JohnCali, I will attempt to answer your questions to the best of my knowledge; for I too will be working for AT&T in 2 weeks. My hiring process was a little different from yours in which the first appointment was for me to attend an orientation and take an on-site assessment. After passing that step, I was called in 2 weeks later for a face-to-face interview and towards the end of the interview I was offered the position. This occurred on a Monday and following day, I received an email from HireRight, the background screening company for AT&T, inquiring specific information about my most previous employer. Being that I was at my previous employer for 5 years, they did not contact my employers prior to that which was good on my behalf because those companies had gone out of business. If HireRight has not contacted you to inquire about specific dates about your previous employer(s), they must have been able to verify your employment in some capacity. Also, if your background check/screening had not cleared, you would have possibly been contacted by AT&T via email or phone by now. Being that you received an offer of employment via email, you should definitely contact a hiring manager to ensure your name is on the list for the upcoming training session. Also, have you taken your drug screening? That is required within 24hrs of being hired by AT&T. I was hired on February 23rd by AT&T, HireRight commenced right away on my background screening on the 24th, and submitted the complete information to AT&T on the 25th. If you haven't heard from them you should be good to go, but I would still confirm this so you'll know for sure where you stand. Please let me know if you have any further questions.

deenva in Front Royal, Virginia said: thanks for the reply. I was up all last night trying to fiqure out what to do and I'm not going to spend the money the 2nd time. They've given me the run around since the 1st of the yr. I was treated like crap during that interview. AT&T should be embarressed to be a huge company and treat people like they do. this web site shows I was not the only one who wanted to work for them and was treated badly. so it wasn't something about me, it's the management. I don't want to relocate and start a new life and have me new life suck. I really wanted this and with my experience,my personality along with my sales ability I wld have been great for the job.
Does the corporate office know about all these people and how they were treated. I find it hard to believe that the CEO wld think how a new hire was treated. to be honest I wouldn't have AT&T as my provider after I know how they treated me and others. Everythime I see an AT&T sign I cringe. Ya know whats funny is my mom has AT&T and we have had to call 3 times to get what she wanted. so thats they kind of people they want not someone who does the job right the 1st time.
thanks for the email and good luck to you. I'm passing on AT&T. I will spend the money to go the Fla but it will be to go on vacation for xmas

Funny, this exact thing happened to me but in Ft Lauderdale residence. The interviewer took one look at me and had no interest at all in anything I had to say. Everyone there was under 30 or so, I'm 55. I have decades of experience at ATT doing that same job and in a Baby Bell, too. NO WAY am I not qualified since I've always exceeded objectives and had an example for every question.

The problem is this ridiculous method of having the work center hire the staff. It NEVER used to be that way and still is NOT in the remaining Baby Bells. HR hires the employees not some dopey first level who's having a bad day or wants to have their office all the same.

Terry305 in Miami, Florida said: I will give aword of advice to many people here, ATT is the most horrible place to work that I have work in my entire life and I am in my 40's, I was hired in January for the sales position and all I can tell you is you want to make a quick buck them they are the place for you, when i said quick I mean not stable, that position is not for evryone no matter how fast , smart, and computer savy you think you are, is a facory, they have classes every month, they trained 40 or 50 people and at the end they only keep maybe 10, Is just a nightmare, the managers are a joke, let me tell you something and I dont mean any harm or controversy, if the person is African American they have a better chance to stay, is a revolving door, they remind you every 10 minutes that you have not sold, the amount of pressure is enough to cause a nervous breakdown, they start classes with 15 or 16 students and before incubation they start cleaning house, after incubation most of the clases they keep only 2 or 3 agents, if you can deal with this them ATT is the place for you, is not please look somewhere else ,.

This explains why I have submitted for 10 jobs since 2007 and none of them came to an interview until last week. When the 25 year old "manager" interviewing me had absolutely no interest in anything I had to say. The ENTIRE and I mean everybody I saw....office was Hispanic or African American and under 30. Coming from an urban city that is minority majority I have no issue with that but she apparently did.

piper indian river in Florida said: This explains why I have submitted for 10 jobs since 2007 and none of them came to an interview until last week. When the 25 year old "manager" interviewing me had absolutely no interest in anything I had to say. The ENTIRE and I mean everybody I saw....office was Hispanic or African American and under 30. Coming from an urban city that is minority majority I have no issue with that but she apparently did.

Part II - Since I got the not qualified email the next day. With decades of ATT and Baby Bell experience in THAT JOB and having been a supervisor and manager for a long time, it's clear to me the process problem is having the work centers have ANY INVOLVEMENT with the hiring process. HR always hired NOT CENTER people - and it still works that way at Baby Bells, no center managers get involved in hiring, you get who HR sends you. jeeze....That also explains why every single time I call the Bus. Office the sneaks there put products on my line that I don't authorize and break every single rule you can break. Pathetic.

simoneofcali in Orlando, Florida said: Hello JohnCali, I will attempt to answer your questions to the best of my knowledge; for I too will be working for AT&T in 2 weeks. My hiring process was a little different from yours in which the first appointment was for me to attend an orientation and take an on-site assessment.

Hey simoneofcali,

Thank you for your reply. It is very helpful. I took the drug test last week and I should pass it. I got the offer through email, I signed it and faxed it back last week. No agency has call me yet. I got an email package that has first day orientation. So I am still waiting nervously. Please let me know if you have any other ideas or reasons.

simoneofcali in Orlando, Florida said: Hello JohnCali, I will attempt to answer your questions to the best of my knowledge; for I too will be working for AT&T in 2 weeks. My hiring process was a little different from yours in which the first appointment was for me to attend an orientation and take an on-site assessment. After passing that step, I was called in 2 weeks later for a face-to-face interview and towards the end of the interview I was offered the position. .

Hey simoneofcali,

So my time line is

-Went to the interview
-Filled out the job apps with the permission to run background.
-Got the offer through email
-Signed and faxed it back.
-Took the drug test.
-Starting in 2 weeks and just waiting to see if anyone will call me to verify previous employment date.

Piper, AT&T knows they would need to pay you decent money to work for them. You just about have to know someone inside to get back on. They want new people to pay less to and they don't care about service. Just the bottom line. I retired in 2005 when it was SBC. I would live on the streets before I would go back into that Hell hole.

JAC in San Antonio, Texas said: Piper, AT&T knows they would need to pay you decent money to work for them. You just about have to know someone inside to get back on. They want new people to pay less to and they don't care about service. Just the bottom line. I retired in 2005 when it was SBC. I would live on the streets before I would go back into that Hell hole.

Thanks for your reply JAC. Several of my former coworkers got jobs in NC right away. I thought if I was willing to start "low" that it wouldn't matter. I didn't factor in that a kid in a work center would be in charge of my fate lol. Imagine.