I have a phone interview so I don't have to worry about wearing a tie. This is a job I really want unlike some I have interviewed for. What do tips do you guys have.
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Just be yourself, and tell them you really like their company....get them to talking about themselves, they will love it. DD
Be sure they have a good understanding of what type of knowledge you'll bring to the position, have mental bullet points of what you want them to know about you, since its a phone interview write them down, and make sure you hit those points.
Yes, actually helpful. However I've found myself stumbling and stalling while attempting to get the requested info. The one question I never did prepare well for but always managed to get asked (usually by lazy HR people): "Tell me about yourself."
Wait there is math involved in the position? Don't worry about it then. They won't be picking you based on your personality unless you manage others. Basically, just know your stuff and have some examples of things you have done in the past.
Ya if this is a very technical position, then you'll most likely focus on answering friggin riddles :grin:
Remember that there is one objective to a phone interview..that is to get a face to face interview. Present your qualifications. Speak at a normal pace. Have a back up phone ready in case you lose connection. Make sure the person can hear you clearly. Always thank the phone interview and express your interest in coming onsite to continue the conversation. Ask when you will expect to hear back from them. Do NOT ask about salary. Have the company website up on your screen. Print your resume and take notes on your resume. Be polite. If they say that they don't think you are right for the job, tell them that you are a bit nervous and you know that you will present yourself better in person. Is it possible to schedule an onsite interview? Just do everything you can to get the face to face interview. They will not hire you based on a phone interview unless they are desperate or idiots. If either is the case, I would look for a job somewhere else.
Very helpful video there, GlenRice. So I got to thinking, what kind of idiots flush the damn toilet during an interview???? Good luck on the interview Mr Langhi. You should record your conversation and post it on here.
Try not to stutter. Speak clearly and concisely, which confidence. As far as everything else goes, just speak to him like you would normally speak to him during a face-to-face interview... Oh, also... try not to put yourself in a situation where there are long awkward silences... on the phone, those awkward silences just seem more like minutes than seconds...
Is it software sold to consumers? Or is it to businesses? Along with all the other very good tips on here, I always tell people in anything that is technology-related to understand how the technology helps the business. If it's internal, like a software developer who designs and implement enterprise applications, be aware of how it will help improve productivity, efficiency, etc. If it's software to be sold to consumers or companies, what markets are they targeting? What are the primary business development/sales goals for this software? If you're only involved with the development aspect, who will you be working with? Internal or outsourced personnel, or both? You can ask these questions if you don't know them already (unless these are things you are expected to know, then you definitely don't ask them). Companies, with rare exceptions, have 2 primary goals: to make money and save money. Everything, in one way or another, ties in to these 2 objectives (even for non-profits, their goals are to raise funds and control costs). As long as you have a firm understanding of the company's goals in either area, and how your contributions are geared toward one or the other, you can make sure to emphasize this at some point. "Tell me about yourself"- I'm 43, I graduated from XYZ University with a BA in XYZ, and I've been in the workforce for over 18 years. I really enjoy working with all types of software, especially XYZ. I'm a firm believer in personal accountability for one's actions and the value of hard work. My immediate career goal is to make a valuable contribution toward my next employer's key goals; my future goals are along the same lines." There are probably a million variations on that, but those are some of the types of things you can mention. And, like in that other thread, DON'T FORGET THE THANK-YOU LETTER!!
The HR staff members are usually not the most knowledgeable people about the responsibilities of the position, I usually impress them with technical terms about similar positions I’ve held in the past which I know they will not understand. Just don't overdo it... it's just to show them you are smarter than them, psychological warfare. I’ve actually had someone tell me that she did not understand the details and wanted me to dumb it down, it was awesome, I knew I was in after that.
Best advice someone gave me regarding phone interviews or picking up an important call: Spoiler Make sure you are in a quiet place where you get good reception!
