Got any tips for phone interviews?

[Jassi]

A company that I would love to work for just called me up to set up a phone interview for a summer internship (very very unexpected). I have had mixed results in the past (2 unsuccessful, one that led to a job offer but circumstances prevented me from accepting). Got any tips? I could always use some more advice from people who have more experience.

The question that I found is the trickiest is, "Describe a situation where you were unable to deliver on a deadline and how you handled the situation". I always get stuck on this one and start mumbling. Got any suggestions on how I can handle tricky questions?

Also, I signed up for spring classes and the last day to drop the class for a refund is next friday. The interview is on tuesday afternoon/ close to evening. Is it wise to tell them that I would need an answer by or on friday? Or should I completely avoid the topic?

Thanks!
Jassi

 

[swtethan]

do the phone intervies in the nude :Q

 

[cker]

I've never encountered anyone who was resentful when I asked "Can you tell me the timeframe you anticipate for your decision?"

For tricky questions, my approach has always been to answer directly. These are often more personality tests than anything else. Like if they ask "What's your biggest weakness" and you say "I don't have any" then they know you're arrogant. If they as how you handle a difficult customer and you tell 'em that you did something mean to his cat, they know you're a psycho. My standard response to a query like you mention is to reply with an anecdote. If they're worth a bean, they're more interested in knowing how you handled the situation than in you being perfect. Bonus points if you end the negative anecdote on a positive: "...the thing I really learned from that experience was X. Now I keep that in mind when dealing with situations like that."

From my experience, it also helps if you don't have nearby electronics equipment burst into flames during the phone interview. I was interviewing with a consulting group, and just as they asked me "What is your biggest strength" my old receiver blew a component and started sparking and burning. I will die proud that, as I was trying to quietly disconnect power and get it out of the stereo stand, I replied "I respond to unexpected events effectively."

 

[Jassi]

Originally posted by: cker
I've never encountered anyone who was resentful when I asked "Can you tell me the timeframe you anticipate for your decision?"

For tricky questions, my approach has always been to answer directly. These are often more personality tests than anything else. Like if they ask "What's your biggest weakness" and you say "I don't have any" then they know you're arrogant. If they as how you handle a difficult customer and you tell 'em that you did something mean to his cat, they know you're a psycho. My standard response to a query like you mention is to reply with an anecdote. If they're worth a bean, they're more interested in knowing how you handled the situation than in you being perfect. Bonus points if you end the negative anecdote on a positive: "...the thing I really learned from that experience was X. Now I keep that in mind when dealing with situations like that."

From my experience, it also helps if you don't have nearby electronics equipment burst into flames during the phone interview. I was interviewing with a consulting group, and just as they asked me "What is your biggest strength" my old receiver blew a component and started sparking and burning. I will die proud that, as I was trying to quietly disconnect power and get it out of the stereo stand, I replied "I respond to unexpected events effectively."

:beer: for that.

What about moving expenses? The job is in Texas and I don't know anyone there. If I were to accept, I would have to look around the area and find a place to live and would need some sort of financial and or logistical support. This will be my first real job in engineering, do companies provide this type of support or are people on their own? Whats the best way to ask?

 

[SearchMaster]

I would say in a situation where you're fumbling trying to come up with a "good" response, just go with what pops into your head first. They'll be looking for someone who communicates effectively, and thinks quickly on their feet, not someone who is perfect and hasn't made a boneheaded mistake. Make sure you follow up your response with what you learned from it.

 

[SearchMaster]

Originally posted by: Jassi

Originally posted by: cker
I've never encountered anyone who was resentful when I asked "Can you tell me the timeframe you anticipate for your decision?"

For tricky questions, my approach has always been to answer directly. These are often more personality tests than anything else. Like if they ask "What's your biggest weakness" and you say "I don't have any" then they know you're arrogant. If they as how you handle a difficult customer and you tell 'em that you did something mean to his cat, they know you're a psycho. My standard response to a query like you mention is to reply with an anecdote. If they're worth a bean, they're more interested in knowing how you handled the situation than in you being perfect. Bonus points if you end the negative anecdote on a positive: "...the thing I really learned from that experience was X. Now I keep that in mind when dealing with situations like that."

From my experience, it also helps if you don't have nearby electronics equipment burst into flames during the phone interview. I was interviewing with a consulting group, and just as they asked me "What is your biggest strength" my old receiver blew a component and started sparking and burning. I will die proud that, as I was trying to quietly disconnect power and get it out of the stereo stand, I replied "I respond to unexpected events effectively."

:beer: for that.

What about moving expenses? The job is in Texas and I don't know anyone there. If I were to accept, I would have to look around the area and find a place to live and would need some sort of financial and or logistical support. This will be my first real job in engineering, do companies provide this type of support or are people on their own? Whats the best way to ask?

Unless it's a small company, the question of moving expenses is probably up to HR and not necessarily the interviewer, unless they're one and the same. Impress the person you're interviewing and sell them on you, then they'll gladly pay any moving expenses to get you.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Just be honest and open about yourself.

When asked questions like that I try to remember a situation in which I was faced with a dilema like that and how I handled it (obviously focusing on the situations in which I handled it well ). It helps to go over your accomplishments in your head prior to the interview so you can have them fresh in mind.

I used to dread interviews when I was younger and thought of them as complete BS but really it is just a way for you and your prospective employer to get to know each other and to see if you'd be a good fit. The companies that do this well will obviously have a better work environment. My current employer actually has you interview with 3 or 4 different people and then if they like you they invite you back and put you through a simulation. After the simulation you get to meet again with the 3 or 4 people who interviewed you individually and they all get to ask you questions. It's fun...

 

[dmw16]

Originally posted by: Jassi

Originally posted by: cker
I've never encountered anyone who was resentful when I asked "Can you tell me the timeframe you anticipate for your decision?"

For tricky questions, my approach has always been to answer directly. These are often more personality tests than anything else. Like if they ask "What's your biggest weakness" and you say "I don't have any" then they know you're arrogant. If they as how you handle a difficult customer and you tell 'em that you did something mean to his cat, they know you're a psycho. My standard response to a query like you mention is to reply with an anecdote. If they're worth a bean, they're more interested in knowing how you handled the situation than in you being perfect. Bonus points if you end the negative anecdote on a positive: "...the thing I really learned from that experience was X. Now I keep that in mind when dealing with situations like that."

From my experience, it also helps if you don't have nearby electronics equipment burst into flames during the phone interview. I was interviewing with a consulting group, and just as they asked me "What is your biggest strength" my old receiver blew a component and started sparking and burning. I will die proud that, as I was trying to quietly disconnect power and get it out of the stereo stand, I replied "I respond to unexpected events effectively."

:beer: for that.

What about moving expenses? The job is in Texas and I don't know anyone there. If I were to accept, I would have to look around the area and find a place to live and would need some sort of financial and or logistical support. This will be my first real job in engineering, do companies provide this type of support or are people on their own? Whats the best way to ask?

Any decent company will generally cover moving expenses.

 

[Taggart]

You should get Richard Christy and Sal the Stockbroker to use the Crazy Alice tape for your phone interview.

FTW

 

[imported_LoKe]

Have some water nearby.

 

[Jassi]

Originally posted by: LoKe
Have some water nearby.

I read that online as well and that is a great tip.

The company has over $3B in sales so I am sure they have some sort of moving compensation and I hope that they have some sort of subsidized housing deal for their employees. Other companies that I spoke to spend a good chunk of change to keep their interns nearby and together.

I am gonna do a bit more reading and try to get in a good mentality before the interview. Thanks for all the tips AT'ers

 

[ngvepforever2]

My last phone interview was with Fatwallet for a summer internship. That's gotta be the best interview I've ever had, it was a fun one. I got asked everything, from my strengths and my weaknesses to technical stuff to if I 've ever watched the night of the living dead!. The guy on the phone (who turned out to be my project manager) was the best interviewer I have ever had. One question I thought I was going to mess up but didn't was : "Well you have one minute, tell me why I should hire you?. Surprisingly to me, I answered the question very well. All you have to be is honest and everything will go alright. Needless to mention I got the internship and I am leaving for Illinois on the 30th for 10 weeks. They will provide me with housing (which is really cool) an stipend and I am going to meet other people (There are 5 interns total from all over the country I believe). I am really excited and eager to learn a lot over this summer....well, I kind of got sidetracked on my response.. GL OP, just be cool, tell the truth and you'll do fine.

Regards

ng