telephone interview some advice please

19 Oct 2004

Hey Guys,
I landed me self a telephone interview with a wicked massive company as a graduate.
But i dont know how to prepare, normally i kindof just blag my way in but i really want this job, so not sure what i should look at.
I was hoping some of you might be able to give me pointers as to what not to to do. Heres whats kindof obvious.
T's and H's <== Gran'ma good influence biggrin

Dont swear
and
Be polite
Other than that i am stumped. Any help would be much appreciated
Cheers guys

19 Oct 2004

Telephone interview...? confused

:?
What sort of job is this, then...? :uhoh:
I wouldn't get too excited until they offer to see you face to face.
Just relax and go with the flow... The worst that can happen is that you don't get any further. They can't shoot you for failing to talk to a faceless HR chick or dude in the correct tone.
H wink

19 Oct 2004

i had a telephone interview for my latest job.
it was FINE.. the big worry is when you get the fact to face interview afterwards.
they usually only use the telephone interview to weed out the obviously un-suitable applicants.. unless you are applying for telesales or something.. then it might be a bit more important.
as for it being a graduate job.. this should make it even easier to wangle as personally i have found that when applying for graduate jobs.. they tend to have paid a lot more attention to my cv and application before offering any type of interview.. so they already like and want you.
this is just how i have found it ... does not mean you can sue me if i am wrong! lol
good luck
x x x x

19 Oct 2004

Everything you'd do for any other form of interview, other than the fact that you can do them in your pyjamas, there's nothing particularly special about a 'phone interview smile

Research the company - "Given the opportunity, which of our offices would you choose to work in" is a common question from multinationals "Err, dunno, where are your offices" isn't going to cut it !
Work out why you want the job, ideally with reference to previous work/work experience/university course.
Make some brief notes about the company and about you, especially any previous experience in the field, as, although may well not use them, you'll have a safety net in case you dry up.
Read this:

It covers most of the worst questions recruiters will throw at you.
Edited to add - Although WBB's right, they'll usually have done their homework, don't assume they know anything about you.
Recruiter at a 'city' firm "Did you enjoy your time in Bristol"
Me "Err"
- He had the wrong cv in front of him rolleyes

- I've still never been to Bristol ;) (I didn't get that one !!)

19 Oct 2004

LOL
Yeah i know telephopne interviews aint the big thing, this application has 4 parts i think.
I'd be doing programming for MS, so thats why i was worried thought that they may try a sneaky one with the questions.
But i suppose as long as i am confident, (i didnt lie in the app, which is a bonus biggrin

), oh apart from the PhD .........
Cheers so far guys, all taken aboard and consider the link read :P

19 Oct 2004

Be yourself, the company has mroe than likely looked at your CV and have provisionaly 'accepted' you for the job, as you have the correct qualifications they require.
Now you have to make them like you, no businessman in the coutry is going to want to employ somebody they dont like, so just relax and answer their questions in a calm, relaxed thought out manner, dont crack any wise jokes, let them lead the conversation, if they are formal, you be formal, if they are more relaxed you relax, if they ask you how your weekend was tell them, dont just say 'good thanks', tell them what you did. Make yourself sound interesting.
you get the jist to just have a conversation in the manner they want.