Phone interview help.

[T89 Callan]

Hey all, looking for a bit of advice.

Finally after muchos searching I have an interview set-up for Monday, but it has been changed from an in person interview to a phone interview.

I have never done one before though and I'm a little worried, you see I actually excel in interviews face to face (I really get into the groove) but I am rubbish on the phone in any situation (awkward silences, interupting people etc etc). Without being able to see peoples faces I struggle with conversation if that makes any sense?

The interview is for a quality engineer role at a low volume but well established high end car maker, it's a contract role not full time employment.

The other contract role interviews I have done have all been short and easy basically just asking if I can do the job.

Does anyone have any idea how a phone interview will go? What materials I should have handy and any techniques to not sound like a retard?

[2seas]

T89 Callan said:

Hey all, looking for a bit of advice.

Finally after muchos searching I have an interview set-up for Monday, but it has been changed from an in person interview to a phone interview.

I have never done one before though and I'm a little worried, you see I actually excel in interviews face to face (I really get into the groove) but I am rubbish on the phone in any situation (awkward silences, interupting people etc etc). Without being able to see peoples faces I struggle with conversation if that makes any sense?

The interview is for a quality engineer role at a low volume but well established high end car maker, it's a contract role not full time employment.

The other contract role interviews I have done have all been short and easy basically just asking if I can do the job.

Does anyone have any idea how a phone interview will go? What materials I should have handy and any techniques to not sound like a retard?

i've done a few of these over the last couple of weeks. did you get the interview through a recruter? if so i would try to tap him for as much information as possible about what the interviewer will try to cover during the call.

there are some very common phone interview questions, google it and compile a list and then write in what you will say underneath each question (nothing long winded as you don't want to sound rehersed). some example questions; why do you think you're suitable for the role? what do you know about the company? what are your strengths and weaknesses?.. also he will ask if you have any questions at the end so have a couple of good ones ready!

taking pauses is a good thing in my opinion. it may seem awkward to you but on the other end of the line i believe it shows the interviewer you're actually taking a second to think about his question before answering. try not to talk too fast (one of my weaknesses). and always keep your answer relevant to the question.

a technique i use before an interview is to try and get myself into a mindset that i am perfect for the job and they would be crazy not to hire me. this doesn't mean i act cocky! it just helps me to stay calm. but each to their own..

good luck!

[T5R+]

Dress the way you would if actually going to the interview.

Ensure you have a quiet room in which to take the call.

Relax and breath, before and during the session.

Lay out your notes so that you can read them to answer question, but do not make it obvious you are reading.

Ensure you know who are talking to and at the end thank them, plus tell them you were nervous, as it is your 1st telephone interview.

Your research on the company should be no different to any interview you would attend in person.

Good luck.

[Tanguero]

T5R+ said:

Dress the way you would if actually going to the interview.

Ensure you have a quiet room in which to take the call.

Relax and breath, before and during the session.

Lay out your notes so that you can read them to answer question, but do not make it obvious you are reading.

Ensure you know who are talking to and at the end thank them, plus tell them you were nervous, as it is your 1st telephone interview.

Your research on the company should be no different to any interview you would attend in person.

Good luck.

Excelent advice! I would only add;

Listen carefully when the interviewer is speaking - don't be afraid to ask them to repeat anything you didn't hear or understand. Take your time to answer carefully.


I have to conduct phone interviews now and then and don't much like it for the same sort of reasons as you. Bear in mind that your interviewer may be in the same position.

[T89 Callan]

Did it this morning, the interviwer just ran through a set list of 5 questions, which I hate. You always know that these questions have been written by some HR knob-end who knows jack all about the job.
Towards the end though we did have a bit of unscripted conversation and I asked a couple of devastatingly good questions.

Anyway it seemed to go well and initial feedback is good, turns out that there were a fair few applications from people with relevant experience so they are conducting a round of initial phone interviews to find 2-3 people for the single face-to-face interview.

Cheers for the advice.

[cheadle hulme]

Good stuff - I hope you get it.

The last telephone interview I had was a 3 way call between an ops manager in The Netherlands, a HR lady in Paris and me in my dressing gown.

I didn't get it.

[bonsai]

I recommend standing up while taking the call.