Phone Interview

Share tips as you apply, write essays, interview...
This topic has expert replies
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 48
Joined: Sat Nov 28, 2009 1:01 pm
Thanked: 1 times
Followed by:1 members

Phone Interview

by Mr_T » Sat Mar 20, 2010 4:53 am
Hi everyone,

I have a phone interview coming up. I was wondering if anyone has any tips.
Should I have notes or cue cards ready? Should I write down part of the interviewer's question while he is talking?
How differently should I approach it from a normal in-person interview.

Thanks,

mr T

Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 5
Joined: Sun Jul 19, 2009 8:54 am
Location: NJ

by akamat » Sun Mar 21, 2010 5:12 pm
Be calm and confident. The best part about a phone interview is that you can be in your pajamas and not worry about how you're doing...ex: 'am i maintaining enough eye-contact?' 'am i moving too much?' etc. Since phone interviews are generally only a pre-screening method that recruiters use to see if the person on the other end of the line is sane or not, it's important that you stay calm. Since i don't know what position you're applying for, I cant comment on what the recruiter is going to ask you. But, you shud expect the common/general interview questions like strengths/weaknesses. Tell me abt a time when blah blah blah... It's important that you knw the answers to general questions beforehand rather than just winging it last second. You should only write down any notes which are enough to mention in your thank you letter afterward. (Don't forget to send in your thank you letter! and in less than 48 hrs...I'd go with 24)

Don't worry though. You'll do just find. Don't be worried too much. Just maintain your tone and don't sound monotonous and you should be invited for an in-person interview. Goodluck!

Cheers!
Hit or Miss!

Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 48
Joined: Sat Nov 28, 2009 1:01 pm
Thanked: 1 times
Followed by:1 members

by Mr_T » Sun Mar 21, 2010 5:29 pm
Thanks for the advice.

Actually, this is the interview. The reason it's a telephone interview is because I live in Canada and the University is in the UK, University of Manchester. After reading some of the questions that were asked in previous years, I must admit I am a little bit nervous, but overall I'm good. Accordingly to their profile on Business Week, last year, 88% of the students that were interviewed were admitted. Those are pretty goods odds...I just have to make I don't royally screw up.

mr T