Pulaski

Sorry, I just edited/ expanded my tips, above.

Lion in Winter

Thanks. I shall attempt not to be weeded out during the first round. Just have to stay away from the cooking sherry and not ask them the names of their cats.

Beaverstate

A wise decision on the cats. Reminds me of my theory on anyone who has five or more cats.....

tonrob

Try to take as much advantage from lack of visual contact as possible. Wear whatever makes you feel most comfortable. Consider standing up while you talk if you think it might give you more confidence. Make sure you have the freedom to move around too - if that's the kind of thing that helps you think. Consider how you prefer to 'be' physically on other phone calls which you've found difficult or challenging and maybe learn from that.

I'm in the standing up and moving around camp, so because of this I'd set my room up properly beforehand, having my resume, paper and pens for notes, glass of water etc. on a higher and easily-reachable surface (e.g. on the mantlepiece), and have a chair somewhere nearby that I can sit in if I fancy ready (i.e. not have to move it while I'm talking in order to sit down).

Make sure that you won't be disturbed during the call. Can you disable the doorbell? Do you have call-waiting (can that be switched off?) Noise from other rooms would disturb me - can you tell family members to bugger off out for a bit?

Lion in Winter

I will actually be in my current office for the interview (no landline at home or office-type space that I can conveniently spread out in, it's a small apt.), but at the end of the day when I won't be disturbed and in any case I'm locking the door - come to think of it I should do that during the day anyway, life would be a lot quieter....

My work phone only flashes a light if another call comes in, so that's ok, and I have plenty of space to spread out the work docs that I might want to refer to.Good point about the standing up, I can be a pacer when thinking.

celticgrid

A comment that is probably too late for the OP but for later readers maybe...

After the first phone interview I had I invested in a headset attachment for the phone I was using. It allows much more freedom and a more relaxed approach, I discovered. Also leaves 2 hands free for paperwork and google referencing!

Bob

Always worth asking who best to get in touch with for any follow up questions, whom you can email. Then write them a thanky email for their time with a follow up line along "if there were any questions that you might want further details" kind of thing.

Gives you the opportunity to fill in blanks they might have but not asked about.

SATX John

Always have your notes nearby, regarding the job / company / experience for that specific job.

So you can answer What do we do?
What is our mission?
Company History?
Do not answer right away, take time to think of the question.

Rehearse rehearse rehearse, with someone who will not be your friend during the rehearsal.

Good Luck

Tegwyn

Do a bit of research on the company and product, so you can promote your skills as an advantage to their company needs.

SultanOfSwing

Hey, LiW - how did it go?

Didn't see this thread at the time but the job I'm in now started with an impromptu phone interview that had them asking to see me in person ASAP at the end of it. I hope yours went just as well as mine did ...

Lion in Winter

I think I succeeded in not falling at the first fence, but I won't find that out until next week I think, which is the stated timeline for letting those who make it to the in-person interview stage know.

So, fingers crossed.

paddingtongreen

The wired headset is better than a bluetooth headset, my phone battery went from fully charged to shutdown in about twenty five minutes using the bluetooth.

Sally Redux

Great! Fingers crossed for you.

SultanOfSwing

Fingers indeed crossed

Lion in Winter

Now, where the hell is my interview suit? And after two weeks of Christmas in England, will I still fit into it?