Phone Interview Tips

[Feldenak]

Ok, I've got the face-to-face interview stuff down. Is there anything different I should do/be prepared for in a phone interview? I've never done an interview over the phone so my practiced body language is fairly worthless in this case...help?

 

[JJChicken]

i second his request

 

[ch33zw1z]

1. Never interrupt the interviewer.
2. Answer the questions with concise, pertinent information only.
3. Be as cordial as possible.

 

[Reel]

If you must take it on a cell phone, do it in an area with consistent coverage and quiet surroundings. Warn the interviewer that it is your cell phone if you anticipate it could cut out. Try not to do other things while on the phone. For example, typing sounds are easily heard through the phone. Have a pen + paper there waiting if they start asking technical questions or you want to take notes.

 

[Feldenak]

Originally posted by: Reel
If you must take it on a cell phone, do it in an area with consistent coverage and quiet surroundings. Warn the interviewer that it is your cell phone if you anticipate it could cut out. Try not to do other things while on the phone. For example, typing sounds are easily heard through the phone. Have a pen + paper there waiting if they start asking technical questions or you want to take notes.

Yeah, I have to take it on my cell. I don't have a landline at home and doing a phone interview on my office phone would probably be poor judgement.

 

[Lola]

don't be afraid if there is a pause in the conversation. Don't try and fill the void.

Smile. The interviewer can "hear" that in your voice. It also may help if you are walking around instead of just sitting.

Many people feel more professional when they are wearing business attire instead of bunny slippers and a robe.

Good Luck!

 

[Feldenak]

Originally posted by: LolaWiz
don't be afraid if there is a pause in the conversation. Don't try and fill the void.

Smile. The interviewer can "hear" that in your voice. It also may help if you are walking around instead of just sitting.

Many people feel more professional when they are wearing business attire instead of bunny slippers and a robe.

Good Luck!

I'll be doing the interview during my lunchbreak so I'll already be in business attire. Good tip though.

 

[zerocool1]

have water nearby so you don't get bad cotton mouth. take your time answering questions. relax, i have a habit of pacing while on the phone for longer conversations, so if you're the same way don't try to sit in a chair cuz you will get antsy. speak clearly and annunciate.

 

[slsmnaz]

It's been mentioned but make sure you have a good phone connection and are in a quiet place. I've heard many calls where someone had way too much going on in the background. Also, don't answer your call-waiting (seems simple but it's happened more than once). Try not to eat, drink or chew gum during the call.

Agree with Lola on walking around. I always think better on my feet and it prevents me from getting distracted.

Go ahead and write out some points you want to touch on during the interview (career highlights, awards, etc.) This is easily done for phone interviews and can keep you more organized.

Good luck :thumbsup:

 

[mflacy]

Here are my suggestions:

Go with a sound board rather than having to quickly rack the brain for answers. You can record your own voice for strong decisive answers or go with distinct celebrity voices like Arnold, Stallone or Bruce Willis. I mean, who wouldn't want to hire a celebrity?!

Play patriotic music in the background each time you begin a new answer. An instrumental version of America the Beautiful or the Eye of the Tiger song from Rocky works well for most questions.

Feel free to head into the bathroom at anytime during the interview to pinch off a stinker. There's nothing that says workaholic like taking your business into the can with you.

 

[middlehead]

Originally posted by: Reel
If you must take it on a cell phone, do it in an area with consistent coverage and quiet surroundings. Warn the interviewer that it is your cell phone if you anticipate it could cut out. Try not to do other things while on the phone. For example, typing sounds are easily heard through the phone. Have a pen + paper there waiting if they start asking technical questions or you want to take notes.

And if you're doing it on a cell phone with the intention of taking notes, make sure you have a quality headset or speakerphone. Nothing that's going to be echoing or hissing back at them, but you don't want to be headbutting your own shoulder to keep the phone in place while you write.

 

[FreshPrince]

if you smile, it will show throug the phone line

 

[Feldenak]

Thanks folks. Keep'em coming.

 

[jhayx7]

Is this an HR interview or technical interview?