Telephone interview Questions

[bobbylondonuk]

I have not been in an interview for a very long time, So I would like to know what the typical telephone interview Questions might be and what kind of answers they are looking for.

The job role is in analysis within the finance department for an airline. I have applied and answered their questions of 250 words each and I think that the telephone interview was scheduled based on the strengths of my answers and CV.

Any idea on how they short list and what they are looking for?

Thanks
Bobby

[ninja-lewis]

Done one when going through a similar process of 250 word answers on the application form, numerical/verbal reasoning tests, assessment centre and final interviews. They seem to be carried out once you've met the basic criteria for the job - education, etc - and perhaps before or after the online tests. It was really just going over your CV and your answers to their questions on the form. So "Why do you want to work for X?", "Why did you choose to study Y?", "What do you think the role is?" - that kind of thing. Just tailor your answers to what they're looking for in the job advert - like you did for the questions on the application form. They say it may take 30 minutes but it'll probably take less than that.

All fairly relaxed (compared to a face to face interview) and carried out by a junior HR person/agency. Answers taken down and passed on to the people running the interviews/assessment centre. I think most people pass the telephone interview stage - it really seems to be about demonstrating you can hold a normal phone conversation without sounding like an idiot!

[bobbylondonuk]

Thanks for the response...but this one seems different as it will be conducted by the line manager!

And this position was advertised with higher criteria earlier and then advertised with a lower criteria again. I have this weird feeling they are not inundated with potential candidates and therefore they are using the line manager to conduct a telephonic interview. This is why I am a bit puzzled as normally it should just be a CV scrutiny at this stage!

[rog007]

Regardless, you will be under scrutiny in order to determine whether your suitable for the next round of selection. A few basics:

Check telephone connectivity prior to formal interview
Choose suitable location for yourself (free from noise or distraction)
Have a spare telephone with the number per-set
Wear what you would wear if it were a face-to-face (it does work!)
Speak more slowly than you would face-to-face
Wait until the other person has finished speaking before you do
Think about any regional accent or slang words which the listener may struggle with when they can't see your mouth or facial expressions
Be relaxed and confident

Good luck!

[johnfm]

Don't forget a pad and pen - Note down the question so you know what you are trying to answer. It can be easy to lose your focus.