Telephone Interviews

[Umbran]

I've interviewed as part of college admission processes. I've done face-to-face job interviews. Tomorrow will be my first ever telephone interview (technically the guy calls it a "screening"). Nice, in that I don't have to get into a monkey suit for it. Less-nice, in that I've not done it before, so I don't know the optimal strategies.

So, folks, who out there has experience with phone interviews? Advice?

 

[Mark]

Get into the "monkey suit" or close to it. Go through all of the same processes you would for a face-to-face interview if you think that will help you approach it with the same edge. Sit in an upright chair (don't slouch) and even lean forward when you would if you were in a face-to-face interview. Physicality and enthusiasm can be heard and start from a physical place. Bring your "A"-game. Good luck!

 

[johnsemlak]

Much of the advice is the same as a face-to-face interview.

Be prepared, have your notes handy.

My biggest screw up in a phone interview was accidentally sitting on a toy and setting off a 'London Bridge is Falling Down' tune. So, make sure you try to stay seated on one place during the interview.

 

[Mark]

My biggest screw up in a phone interview was accidentally sitting on a toy and setting off a 'London Bridge is Falling Down' tune.

What had you eaten...?

 

[Torm]

Be prepared, have your notes handy.

Right. And since they can't see your notes, you can be even more prepared than for a face-to-face: Have your resume, a list of questions you think they are likely to ask and your prewritten answers, and a prewritten response to that ever-present-and-extremely-annoying "Is there anything else you'd like to tell me about yourself that might influence our decision?" Oh, and a copy of any ads for the position, from Monster or wherever, if you have them - that will allow you to work in the same phrases they used for things into what you're saying. Example: I am a PC Tech - I can fix computers, hardware and software. In their ad, if they describe that as "break/fix", which they frequently do, I will describe this in talking to them afterward as, "I have a great deal of experience with break/fix tasks" or some such.

 

[BiggusGeekus]

DJ trick: smile while you talk. You'll subconciously sound more confident.

 

[Hand of Evil]

I have been with the same company for 23 years but as a supervisor I have been given lession, they will be working from a script and so should you, have your material ready and if it is on your resume' you may want to have some additional information available, be professional, do not have music playing in the background and interruptions. Have a closing, just a Thank you (title name here) for taking the time and I appreate your time.

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

Be very clear and precise when you are talking and make sure you are clear about the questions being asked. It is amazing how much information is conveyed through body language, facial expression etc. When you take that aspect away, miscommunications can occur.

Be as prepared as possible. Notes are good, but don't be overly reliant on them, otherwise you may come off sounding rehearsed or distracted.

If you can get contact information for the person you will be speaking with, follow up with a thank you note or e-mail in a day or two, just as you would if it had been a face-to-face interview.

 

[tarchon]

Oh, I was misreading it the post... for these preliminary phone interviews for jobs, the usual thing they're looking for is to find out things like:
* whether you're a psycho
* if you're really interested in the job or just grabbing at straws
* if your basic career plans fit their organization
* if they understand your resume correctly (definitely, you should have it on hand, but that goes without saying)

Usually, "screening" would be done by an HR person, so it's unlikely (albeit possible) that it's going to be highly skills-oriented. The basic idea is not to waste time flying you in for a real interview if you're obviously not going to work out (or take the job if it's offered). I find that chatty/friendly usually works pretty well with HR people. Expect a fair bit of seemingly stupid questions about things on your resume, like "I see you worked for Apple - is that a fruit company?" Sometimes those are tricks to see if you're faking stuff, and sometimes they arise from honest ignorance. Try to steer the HR guy toward things that pertain to what you're looking for, since there's a good chance you actually know more about the kind of job you're applying for than he does. When he goes to Dept. X to talk about you, he'll have notes, and you want him to be pointing at things Dept. X cares about.

Basic rule for all interviews: Figure out what they're trying to find out about you, and try to give it to them in a positive way.

I think the last time I did one educationally related (really for an internship), the interviewer forgot the time difference and called me at 2 AM, in German. "Hello... huh... wuh... Koennen Sie bitte das wiederholen?"

 

[ph34r]

What had you eaten...?

Pizza Hut