Phone Interview

Does anyone have any advice on phone interviews? I'll be interviewed via phone here soon enough and would like some tips. I've always done it in person... never over the phone.

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Comments

sprkymrk

Pick a quiet place where you can be comfortable and absolutley free from distractions. As you are introduced to individuals on the other end write down their names so you can use them during the interview (Mr. Jones, not Bob).

Schluep

Do everything sprkymrk said.

If you have kids make sure they are not home during the interview. If you are using a land line and have a cell phone make sure it is turned off so it doesn't ring during the call. If you have a computer make sure the speakers are turned off (I was on a conference call once when Avast anti-virus said clearly into the phone "Virus Database has been updated."

I find it is harder to pay attention during a very long call when you can't see someone face to face. Be sure not to let your mind wonder and focus on listening to what is being said. Something about not being in front of the person and looking them in the eyes makes it harder to stay engaged after thirty minutes.

Mishra

Keep your resume in front of you and quote off of it then elaborate because thats the only thing they have in front of them to judge off of.

phantasm

Cool. Thanks for the tips... nervous about this one.

nanga

all the things mentioned above are IMPORTANT....i gave my telephonic interview and cleared it....I had all the things mentioned in place....best of luck

dps

Stand up. They say standing up will make your voice clearer and more powerful.
Don't talk with your mouth close to the speaker.
Jot down notes.
Be calm and stay calm.

Good luck.

sir_creamy_

This sounds stupid but I've heard of people getting dressed up for phones interviews as if it was a real-life interview. Doesn't really do much for me, but I can see how it could subconsciously motivate you for an interview?

phantasm

Thanks for the input.

Mitchz

maybe if the well-dressed one got a via web-cam intervierw... hehe =P

oh noooo...i got a phone interview this monday and forget my interviewer´s name =S... and all the interview process i never mention her name....i just limited to say her "MISS"...

so...never forget your interviewer´s name =P..., be relaxed and feel very interested about the job you`re applying for.

success

tamiat

[I had the phone interview, they will ask about your job experiences and how you face a difficult situation, be prepared with examples about your experiences with technology and about explaining technology to common people who dont understand technical terms.

good luck!!!

JDMurray

I've had probably two dozen phone interviews in the past four months with both employers and recruiters. Although phone interviews are performed as time-saving ways to check the information on your resume, what really comes across is your personality and communication skills.

During the interview, do what you can to stay relaxed and speak clearly and thoroughly. I prefer to be standing indoors and pace in circles while I talk on the phone, and this helps me think and relax. If you are outside or driving you will not sound your best. Also, avoid using a cell phone in an areas where you are not sure of the coverage quality. In the worse interview I've had recently, my cell kept fading while I was sitting in an outdoor cafe next to a busy parking lot on a metal chair in a cold wind. (I wish I had that phone interview to do over again.)

Phone interviews can also be a disaster if the person interviewing you is not doing a good job leading the conversation, or is ill-prepared for the interview. In that case, I'll just make friendly smalltalk and usually they will let me ramble on. Whatever you do, do not speak badly of your current or past employers/coworkers, or reflect any sort of negative attitude. Employers are looking for up-beat people who will bring a little "breath of fresh air" into the department. Sounding like an angry, bitter head-case will never get you a job (except as a suicide bomber, I suppose). So while on the phone, it's a happy, up-beat, what-I-can-do-to-make-my-future-boss'-life-easier attitude for you! ( Think =

)

Jammywanks

Ok I have a story that may or may not help you. But it was my earlier days, so it was natural to get the butterflies.

One night I was studying my CCNA material in my QUE Exam Cram book. I left the page open on my desk on the NAT chapter. The next morning I got a call on my cell. Random number, ok its an offer... they asked me if I was interested in a Cisco networking job, requiring me to work night shift, and also deal with pissy stock traders. It was mostly VPN support for banks to communicate to other sites. They also did not require a CCNA, but it was a plus. I said yes to the initial part... they then forwarded me to the techy guys where they would ask me some technical questions straight up from the CLI commands. They were really tough, the first ones were easy, "name us the OSI model layers", then it got more tricky right were they asked me about .... NAT!! So you know I tried to "****" by having an open book in front of me on that chapter. They asked me something about "how do you setup NAT". I guess you would really have to start dancing here. Well I tried it my best, they said I was a good candidate, but they were still interviewing others. Who knows maybe they hired all CCNA's.

Well in the end it was really nerve racking. I never got a call back unfortunatly. But it still taught me a lot on how to handle phone interviews. You definitely need to write your stuff down. Have your study material open. Anything counts

undomiel

Well I have my phone interview coming up in less than an hour. I've never really liked phone interviews and have always done extremely well for in person interviews. I got thrown for a loop on this one already because I was setup to interview with the IT director. Well last night the recruiter calls up and is like oh yeah by the way they decided to include the IT manager and IT specialist on the call as well. I've never done a conference call interview before so it is weirding me out for some reason. I'm usually fairly calm about these things other than disliking interviews. But oh well that's the way the cookie crumbles!

Mmm. Cookies. Happy thought to get me through the interview.

Thanks for all of the tips and good advice on here guys.

undomiel

Tip for the day when doing phone interviews:

Don't pace so fast that you lose your breath.

Sie

The above advice is sound, the only thing I have to add is to keep a glass of water handy, nothing like having a coughing fit down the phone.

Cherper

I have had a phone interview about once every two to three weeks for the past 3-4 months. I am not actively searching for a new job, but once your name gets out there, the calls come in.

I have found that it seems helpful to me to be in a darkened room. It cuts down on the distractions, and allows you to focus on the conversation. Having water handy is good. One other thing that I have heard that seems to help is to remember to smile. It comes through in your voice.