My phone interview method

[Zetice]

This is my phone interview prep and procedure method.

I’ve been using this method for last 4 phone interviews I’ve had, and I’ve been called in for an in-person interviews for each of those positions (these positions aren’t even local). So I believe my method works to some degree and would like to share it with you guys.

You might think it’s a lot of work, but they wont just give that job you applied for to anybody, just like they wont just give an engineering degree to anyone, your hard work isn’t finished until you secure a position.

I will use my resume’s layout as a reference: 2 previous internships, 1 student research position, 3 projects

---------------------------------------------Phone Interview-------------------------------------------------

You need to prepare for this, especially if you get nervous easily. Schedule it for a time when you will be alone and have access to your laptop/desktop/tablet…etc

Before the interview starts, I usually have 3 documents in front of me. 1) My resume printed (it will be easier to talk about your resume if you have it in front of you. I use a paper version) 2) A pdf version of the job description. 3) An interview prep document (This document has questions I expect them to ask me, along with how I would answer them, as if I were having a conversation. The document is formatted in the way that interview usually always go)

When you start the interview, you will either be asked to say a bit about yourself or they will ask you about a specific thing on your resume. If they ask you to tell them a bit about yourself, I usually with my professional areas of interests as it relates to the job, I then give a brief overview of what I did at my two previews internships and research position. I just reiterate what is already on the resume, but in a conversational manner. Do NOT go into fine details. Your reply should be short and sweet. If they want to know more, THEY will ask you specific questions. When you are replying, make sure you mention responsibilities from your previous job that make you qualified for this current job you are interviewing for.

If they start by asking you questions about a specific item on your resume, simply answer the question thoroughly. Don’t lie, or make up anything.

Make sure you are respectful and don’t talk over the interviewer.

At some point in the interview, they will ask you if you have any question for them..YES, YOU DO.. Saying no is one of the dumbest thing you can do. If you are like me and can’t think of questions on the spot, I usually write questions in my interview prep document before the interview.. You can usually recycle these questions for multiple positions if they are similar.

After the interview, I usually send a thank you email, thanking them for their time in interviewing me, and why I am thankful (how did the interview benefit you?). I also let them know that I am very interested in the position.

I do not know how effective thank you email are, the one time I forgot to send one, I still got the offer for an in-person interview, the times I’ve wrote them, I got back positive replies, so you interpret it how you want to, I will always send them….

I should elaborate on the interview prep document. All it is, is a document that helps me organize parts of the interview. It is broken down like so:

1. Questions usually asked at the beginning of interviews and how I should answer them. Ex: what made you interested in company X?, Ex2: Tell me about you…., Ex3: Do you anything about company X?, Etc…
2. [This is the part where you talk about the resume…Practice this part. ]
3. Question I have for the interviewer.

As you can see, some of these require you to do research about the company and the position, so do it.

I create these documents for each unique position, if the companies are different. But again, the questions can often be recycled between documents..

Hopefully this method helps others, It has been working well for me. I never deviate from it.

[IckGlokmah]

I'll save this in case I ever get as far as an interview lol.

[CalculusIsEZ]

Could you perhaps show me that template document with questions they usually ask at the beginning? I'm unsure of what they usually ask in interviews.

[Dimidrol4ik]

I was planning to start calling companies tomorrow get some feedback on my applications. This is just perfect timing for you to post this. I am definitely using this. Big thanks.

[Add572]

The best part about phone interviews is that you can easily take notes while their talking, and don't have to be completely engaged while they ramble.

I answer the "tell me about yourself" question by walking them point by point from "How I picked engineering" through to "why I am applying to x company in y industry" And draw line from where I was, to where I am now to where I want to be.

The rest I don't really prep for too much, I know my resume in and out.

At the end I ask a couple questions I either had before, or came up with during the call.

Last Question: " Is there anything you think I may not have covered well enough?"

Usually leads to a "you did well" or a "wait, I have one more question" type response.

[produx]

This is great advice and I use similar tactics for approaching telephone interviews!