I got a phone interview--woo hoo!

[Lizard Queen]

So, now what? This is the first job I've applied for in over a decade. I've never even heard of a phone interview until recently, but it seems to be the new trend.

Soooo...anyone have any tips? I'm not great on the phone--my mind tends to wander. It is kind of nice that I don't have to worry about what to wear or my body language.

[Deleted]

Yeah it is a new trend, my wife had quite a few of those.

- Smile
- relax
- go somewhere quiet and good reception
- have your resume in front of you
- have the job posting/description also in front of you.
- have a few key points you learned about the company near

[taz157]

For the last few jobs I've applied for, I wasn't living in the same state or the same part of the state as I was apply for (i.e., relocating) so I've had to do my fair share of phone interviews. Just make sure you are yourself, you answer the questions appropriate, and try not to have anything with you that will distract you. I would suggest a notepad so you could take notes, if needed, during the interview. Do try to ask a question or 2 after the interview (e.g., how many others are your interviewing, when you can I expect to have follow-up, etc.).

Good luck! Keep us posted!

[Bob Ross]

 It's also NOT a good idea to ask the interviewer if they're hot, and what they're wearing.

[Opti]

If you have a landline use that instead of the cell phone. The phone quality difference is still noticeable. Stand up but sitting is OK and much better than lying down. All three will be reflected in your voice.

[happyscooter]

If you have call waiting, turn it off so that your interview isn't interrupted.  No, you wouldn't put the interviewer on hold to grab the other call, but if you are in the middle of an answer and half of it gets covered up by the CW beep, she will have to say 'repeat again.'  And if the person calling you thinks that your answering machine should be picking up, they will call back.  Again and again.

[workpublic]

have google up on your computer so if they ask you a question you don't know the answer to you can slyly google it.

[happyscooter]

And don't walk around the house.  you will see something out the window or straighten a picture or something.  just sit.

[Deleted]

Jun 22, 2013 8:17:00 GMT -5 workpublic said:

have google up on your computer so if they ask you a question you don't know the answer to you can slyly google it.

[buster]

Jun 21, 2013 10:23:45 GMT -5 taz157 said:

For the last few jobs I've applied for, I wasn't living in the same state or the same part of the state as I was apply for (i.e., relocating) so I've had to do my fair share of phone interviews. Just make sure you are yourself, you answer the questions appropriate, and try not to have anything with you that will distract you. I would suggest a notepad so you could take notes, if needed, during the interview. Do try to ask a question or 2 after the interview (e.g., how many others are your interviewing, when you can I expect to have follow-up, etc.).

Good luck! Keep us posted!

I have to respond because there is some pretty bad advice in this comment. DO NOT ask how many people they are interviewing. It really doesn't matter and it's just plain rude. The interviewer will interview as many candidates as needed to fill a role. Just because you may be one of three candidates doesn't mean that one of you will get the job. If you're going to take the time to ask a question, ask about the daily activities of the position, the types of skills required that perhaps you didn't cover, or how you can help make their job easier. The interview is about the person who is interviewing you and how you can help, not the other way around. As far as asking when you can expect a follow-up, this is perfectly acceptable.

[Deleted]

You need to be fully prepared with a 3 minute speech to answer the "tell me about yourself" question.  This gives you the opportunity to lead the rest of the interview as the interviewer generally references back to items you indicated in that speech to formulate their questions.  Have it written down & practiced for the phone interview, but you must have it memorized for future.

Most companies do phone interviews in order to screen down candidates before deciding on in person interviews.  A lot of candidates over-represent their skills in a resume, so you save a lot of time by phone screening first.

[taz157]

Jun 23, 2013 1:23:20 GMT -5 buster said:

Jun 21, 2013 10:23:45 GMT -5 taz157 said:

For the last few jobs I've applied for, I wasn't living in the same state or the same part of the state as I was apply for (i.e., relocating) so I've had to do my fair share of phone interviews. Just make sure you are yourself, you answer the questions appropriate, and try not to have anything with you that will distract you. I would suggest a notepad so you could take notes, if needed, during the interview. Do try to ask a question or 2 after the interview (e.g., how many others are your interviewing, when you can I expect to have follow-up, etc.).

Good luck! Keep us posted!

I have to respond because there is some pretty bad advice in this comment. DO NOT ask how many people they are interviewing. It really doesn't matter and it's just plain rude. The interviewer will interview as many candidates as needed to fill a role. Just because you may be one of three candidates doesn't mean that one of you will get the job. If you're going to take the time to ask a question, ask about the daily activities of the position, the types of skills required that perhaps you didn't cover, or how you can help make their job easier. The interview is about the person who is interviewing you and how you can help, not the other way around. As far as asking when you can expect a follow-up, this is perfectly acceptable.

Excuse me? Asking how many they are interviewing is rude??? Your response to me wad rude. If they tell me they will be interviewing 10 more people and I'm the first, then I know it could be awhile before I hear anything. If I'm 1 of 3, then I know what the chances are. Also, if it was a rude question then how did I get in person interviews then both positions offered to when I asked??

[Lizard Queen]

Thank you all for the very good advice. The interview is at noon, so I will head home on my lunch hour and call from my land line. Now, I need to do some homework and try to relax so I don't stumble over my words. I'm not a chatty Kathy, so it's not going to be easy for me.

I'll let you know how it goes.

[jkscott]

Good luck OP.  I have an interview on Wednesday.  It is a 10k salary increase compared to what I make now and the benefits are substantially better.  PLEASE!!!

[Deleted]

Mili, I don't have any advice, but good luck the the interview today!  Same to you on Wednesday Scott!  

[mmhmm]

Good luck, milizard and jkscott!  Just be yourselves.  You wouldn't have applied if you didn't feel you could do the job, and they wouldn't have requested a telephone interview if your application/resume hadn't looked promising.  Stay confident and just be the competent, friendly person you are!

[Lizard Queen]

Thank you for the good luck wishes. The interview is actually tomorrow. And good luck to you too jkscott!

[Lizard Queen]

Whew--done. I don't think I did great, but it wasn't horrible. I tend to feel like an idiot when I have to talk about myself too much. she said I had a lot of good questions.

[jkscott]

I hope you get it mili!  Good things coming your way.  

[Deleted]

That sounds encouraging! Congratulations for getting through your first interview in a decade, no matter what the outcome is! 

[Lizard Queen]

Thanks jkscott and beerwench! I hope your interview goes great today, jkscott.

[happyscooter]

If this opportunity doesn't work out, it was a good dress rehearsal for the next time.

[Lizard Queen]

I got a call this afternoon--follow-up meeting in person next week! :-)
Double woo-hoo!

[toomuchreality]

Jun 26, 2013 16:30:52 GMT -5 Lizard Queen said:

I got a call this afternoon--follow-up meeting in person next week! :-)
Double woo-hoo!

All the best!

[taz157]

Jun 26, 2013 16:48:40 GMT -5 toomuchreality said:

Jun 26, 2013 16:30:52 GMT -5 Lizard Queen said:

I got a call this afternoon--follow-up meeting in person next week! :-)
Double woo-hoo!

All the best!

FWIW, I didn't think I did well on one of my phone interviews. Not only did get I get an in-person interview, I also got the job and start on Monday! Good luck!

[toomuchreality]

Jun 26, 2013 19:10:05 GMT -5 taz157 said:

Jun 26, 2013 16:48:40 GMT -5 toomuchreality said:

All the best!

FWIW, I didn't think I did well on one of my phone interviews. Not only did get I get an in-person interview, I also got the job and start on Monday! Good luck!

That's awesome Taz! Way to go!  to you too!

[happyscooter]

YAY for you!

[Lizard Queen]

Thanks, toomuch, taz, and happyscooter!
Now, what to wear...I need to go shopping. :-)

[Lizard Queen]

The in-person meeting was okay. I guess I should have studied up more on the stock questions, where do you see yourself in 5 years, and what not. I had an idea of what to say, but was flustered by the traffic getting there. I left way early and ended up only about 5 minutes early or so. (I've been pretty spoiled by my commute with my current job.) I did much better with my questions. I thought the interviewers were really nice, so kind of enjoyed the interview when I was able to ask the questions.

So, the job involves some travel. I'm not sure how much some travel really means. I love to travel, but have 2 little ones at home these days. I wish I could have had a shot at this kind of job 10 years ago.

[taz157]

Good luck for whichever way you want it to go mili!