Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Harris
bumping this rather than thread-tarding.
I am going to have the first interview of my life in the next few weeks - on telephone. It's kind of a "competency" thing - just to check i have the social/practical skills and experience to be in the job (it's in risk management for a bank, btw).
They have given a lot of advice re: preparation, looking at my experience and finding evidence beyond my degree etc., also confidence/rapport etc. and how to structure a response to highlight the project/issues/dealing with them and the results, and i'll do some prep work but should be fine - i'm a quick enough thinker and am a damn sight more persuasive than empirical in conversation.
However, it's going to be weird doing this over the phone. I was wondering if OOT can
a) give me some likely questions they'll pitch [this will probably be a pretty formulaic affair] so i can do extra prep
b) give me some tips on best phone interview technique, and
c) any other words of advice.
Thanks guys. Much as I hate to give up being a lazy schmoe, it's time to get a job.
Pete
Here's what I hate when I'm doing a phone screen with someone:
- Background noise. If you live with three other guys arrange to get the call somewhere else. If you can't do that lock yourself in your room and make it as quiet as possible.
- Be home. Its mind-blowing how many people aren't home when I call even after the time has been confirmed. If I miss the person they have to have a good reason and be extra good to stay in the process.
- Getting cut off by the person I'm interviewing. If someone is going down the wrong track, missed an important point or is just rambling I want to correct them as soon as possible. When people keep cutting me off and don't let me correct them it pisses me off. Its wasting both of our time.
Things you should do:
- Have your resume in front of you. Have any job descriptions you have. Have a computer with google. Have anything you think might be needed. The resume is especially important because most of the time the person interviewing you is looking at it, and its a lot easier if you're both looking at the same thing.
- Make sure you understand what the question is. Ask questions if you didn't hear something. Repeat the question back in your own words. Most interviewers don't really care if a person is really good at hearing things over the phone so don't care if they need to say something twice. Its much better then answering the wrong question.
- Try to stay concise. Interviewing over the phone can get boring, and its easy for the interviewers attention to wander. You have to work a little harder to keep their attention then you would have to do in person.