Phone interviews in the U.S.
#18
Joined on April fools day
Joined: Mar 2012
Location: 30 miles from a decent grocery store.
Posts: 10,642
Re: Phone interviews in the U.S.
#19
Re: Phone interviews in the U.S.
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?
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?
#20
Re: Phone interviews in the U.S.
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?
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?
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.
#21
Re: Phone interviews in the U.S.
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!
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!
#22
Re: Phone interviews in the U.S.
Gives you the opportunity to fill in blanks they might have but not asked about.
#23
Re: Phone interviews in the U.S.
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
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
#24
Re: Phone interviews in the U.S.
Do a bit of research on the company and product, so you can promote your skills as an advantage to their company needs.
#25
I have a comma problem
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)
Posts: 49,598
Re: Phone interviews in the U.S.
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 ...
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 ...
#26
Re: Phone interviews in the U.S.
So, fingers crossed.
#27
Re: Phone interviews in the U.S.
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!
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!
#29
I have a comma problem
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)
Posts: 49,598
Re: Phone interviews in the U.S.