phone interview tips?

[HeyMickey]

I have a phone interview for a summer internship tomorrow. I've never had a phone interview before, only face-to-face ones. I'm a little nervous because I really dislike talking on the phone, and when I do talk on the phone I tend to get distracted easily.

Does anyone have any tips for successful phone interviews?

 

[monkeyboy]

no eating

THINK about your answer for a minute before blurting out

WRITE down any questions YOU have beforehand and any INFO they give you about the job



GOOD LUCK

 

[fantasymagic]

Have a resume or listing of your experiences in front of you so that you can refer to it and don't have to worry about remembering something. Think about what you might say if they ask you to tell them something about yourself, maybe write some notes. Even if they don't ask that exact question, the info may be useful for another question.

Wear your favorite clothes - really. It will give you more confidence.

Try to remove distractions ahead of time - magazines, tv off, don't face a window, anything that will take away from your focus.

All the best of luck and some pixiedust for you! Let us know how it turns out.

 

[Dan Murphy]

 

[ByTheSea]

Smile and try to sit and act as if you were interviewing in person. It does come across in your voice.

 

[Pugdog007]

Everything everyone else said + the following:

1. Use a "professional phone voice." Don't use any slang or speak as if you're talking to a friend.

2. Go ahead and write out your answers to the most common interview questions which are: what are your strengths? what are your weaknesses?

3. Be on time. In other words, don't let the phone ring more than twice before picking it up. You should be set up, waiting for the call.

4. Be enthusiastic!

Good luck! I've conducted many phone interviews. Biggest turnoffs? Background noise (baby crying etc.) & unpreparedness. It just amazes me when I set one up, call right on time, and a husband/friend/child answers and screams to the interviewee to pick up.

 

[HeyMickey]

Well, it's done, and it wasn't so bad. I kinda messed up on one question but the interviewer said it was no big deal. It was sort of weird interviewing in my apartment. I'm not going to get too optimistic because I'm sure there are a lot of good people who want this job, but I really hope I get it!

Thanks for your suggestions everyone, I used a lot of them and they really helped