Phone Interview - Updated

Elle1036 · November 2010

I have a phone interview tomorrow. Normally, I don't get too worked up about them, but this is a job I really, really want, so I'm nervous, which is counterproductive. When I get nervous, I stutter and talk way too fast.

Anybody have any tips, other than just "calm down"?

SeaTea02 · November 2010

Drink water in between talking? I don't usually get nervous, but that is what I do when I am giving presentations in class.

GreenPepperBurger · November 2010

Ooh, I've never had a phone interview before but I think I would prefer them (get back to me when I actually have to have one). I second the idea of water, especially if you feel like your mouth is getting dry. Just be personable, confident and think positive. Good luck!

loves2shop4shoes · November 2010

Just think about things before you say them. Also, be professional AND friendly.

For my old job, I was replacing myself and I had to do the hiring. During a round of phone interviews, there were some supernaturally bad interviewees. One girl, in particular, had such an ATTITUDE. Her tone came across like SHE was doing ME a favor by talking to me.

Needless to say, she did not get the job.

[Deleted User] · November 2010

I'm so terrible on interviews it's a wonder I have a job! LOL I've never had a phone interview either. I agree with SeaTea and GPB. Really just wanted to wish you good luck!! Keep us posted!

AudgiePodge · November 2010

I have no new advice that was not previously stated, but I would totally wear something inappropriate, just because they couldn't see me.

Elle1036 · November 2010

Thanks for the support everyone! I've done phone interviews (usually more than one) for every "big girl" job I've ever had, so it's surprising that some of you have never done them.

In general, I've found that my best phone interviews were for jobs I thought I had little chance of getting, because I was more relaxed and "whatever" about the whole thing, so I'm just going to try not to care so much.

Podge - I'll totally do the interview in my underwear, just for you. (Wait, that sounded wrong).

AudgiePodge · November 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_phone-interview?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:aabf4825-dde8-4f9d-b25c-2156445bccd8Post:2279d053-9de0-47c5-98c8-737fba51db6e">Re: Phone Interview</a>:
[QUOTE]Podge - I'll totally do the interview in my underwear, just for you. (Wait, that sounded wrong).
Posted by Elle1036[/QUOTE]

Oh Elle! /blush

Good luck on the interview!

musikbx · November 2010

Audgie, I was actually coming here to post the opposite advice. ;-)

Even though it's a phone interview, I would suggest dressing up a bit. (At the very least: some decent clothes, clean hair, and make up if that's your thing.) Your clothes can have a big impact on the way you feel about yourself, and the way you present yourself. By that logic: if you dress professionally, you feel like a professional.

Also, a no brainer: make sure you have good reception if you are using a cell phone. I lost reception during a phone interview once. While it wasn't a deal breaker, it probably didn't help my case any.

Good luck!

nottheonlydreamer44 · November 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_phone-interview?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:aabf4825-dde8-4f9d-b25c-2156445bccd8Post:ae0aa559-c5c6-4901-8fd7-f5a6fa9c10e2">Re: Phone Interview</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Phone Interview : Oh Elle! /blush Good luck on the interview!
Posted by AudgiePodge[/QUOTE]

Elle - AP belongs to me, I loved her first!!

In terms of your interview good luck. I find that walking around while I'm talking actually helps because I get nervous just sitting. In my own case I'd probably knock back a shot for nerves and then get down to business. Don't act like you're doing them a favor; show them how you can make a good impression and be spirited at the same time. I have no doubt you'll rock it!

Keep us posted!

Elle1036 · November 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_phone-interview?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:aabf4825-dde8-4f9d-b25c-2156445bccd8Post:66803e39-b546-423e-9334-88b6005c116f">Re: Phone Interview</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Phone Interview : Elle - AP belongs to me, I loved her first!! In terms of your interview good luck. I find that walking around while I'm talking actually helps because I get nervous just sitting. <strong>In my own case I'd probably knock back a shot for nerves and</strong> then get down to business. Don't act like you're doing them a favor; show them how you can make a good impression and be spirited at the same time. I have no doubt you'll rock it! Keep us posted!
Posted by nottheonlydreamer44[/QUOTE]

You know what, I think I actually will do this. I'm a much more personable, lucid speaker when I've got just a touch of booze in me. Thanks Dreamer.

GreenPepperBurger · November 2010

Ooh, definitely wear sexy underwear! I wore some to my last interview. I was supposed to be interviewed by a woman, but she turned out to be in a meeting and a cute, younger guy interviewed me instead. I definitely more confident knowing what was underneath my slacks

[Deleted User] · November 2010

I've had several phone interviews, but most of mine have been impromptu, so I couldn't prepare for them. Since most of the positions I'm interviewing for are receptionists or admin assistants, they want to know if I can think on my feet so to speak and get an idea of how I sound over the phone.

Don't be afraid to laugh a little or even say something silly about the stuttering, it's ok to acknowledge it, break the ice a bit, just don't dwell on it. It kind of loosens things up (I've done it a couple times because I have a bit of a stuttering problem, esp if I speak too fast), it's usually gotten a chuckle out of the person interviewing me and there has only been 1 time out of all the phone interviews that I've done where I haven't gotten an in person interview out of it (and I kind of threw that interview because the woman mentioned how she likes to fire people and how she has a hard time keeping people because no one likes her at least 4 times in the 1st 30 seconds - didn't think I wanted to be another one of her statistics).

A couple things that have worked for me on phone interviews: have some paper handy where you can take notes, but also do some doodling to help calm those nerves. I agree with others about having something to drink nearby (just don't be too obvious about taking a drink, wait till the interviewer is speaking and don't "glug glug"). My FI likes to move around a while, then sit down, the back up again while he's doing a phone interview - it helps to keep him from getting distracted by something else. Make sure all background noise is off - TV off, computer off, if you're on a land line, make sure your cell is either off, turned on vibrate or in another room so you won't be distracted by it. And this last bit of advice (that I wish I could use more often, but hard to do when I don't know the interview is coming) - blow your nose just before the interview. You don't want to be sniffing up a storm during the interview.

Good Luck!

jacquiroxx · November 2010

Your interview is today! I hope you do well!!

::vibes::

marleylikeair · November 2010

Good luck! If the interview hasn't already taken place, here's my bit of advice, which helped me land my current job: Believe in yourself.

Personally, I think of it like this: when I worked in sales, I liked and believed in the quality of the product I was selling. Since the company you're interviewing with is looking at paying you a salary, an interview is a little like a sales pitch. You want the interviewer to buy your product--that is, the skills and experience you have. That's not to say you need to do the fast-talking, hard-sell thing; just that if you want to make a sale, a great way to do it is to believe in the product and be able to talk up its (your!) features confidently, professionally, and in a friendly way. They want to know what you can do for them. You're totally qualified, or they wouldn't be calling at all.

I know you'll do great! Rock on!

Elle1036 · November 2010

Thanks for all the help, ladies!

I just finished the interview, and it was the strangest phone interview I've ever had. She didn't have any pre-planned questions, just asked me to talk her through my resume, asked a few questions about it, and then talked to me about my questions.

She seemed to like me well enough -- she said she'll email me later today or tomorrow about setting up an in-person interview, so that's promising.

And now, thanks to Dreamer, I'm buzzed at 12:30.

AudgiePodge · November 2010

AWESOME! and have fun with your buzz!

PaigeMcC · November 2010

wo0ho0!!! Enjoy that buzz for me!

nottheonlydreamer44 · November 2010

LMAO - Sorry I didn't see this sooner, Elle. I'm glad your interview went well and that my idea relaxed you a bit!!!

Phone Interview - Updated

Re: Phone Interview - Updated

Choose Another Board

Search Boards