Got a phone interview tomorrow (1 wk earlier than expected), need some good advice. Whatchya got RP?

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 19:34:10 -0400

I saw a previous post from @MSG Robert Baker dated 11 Jan 2015 on Phone Interview Tips: Ace Your Phone Interview. It gave four pointers and only 3 people chimed in. Anyone else got any input?

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * UPDATE - 080922TJUN2016 * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Just finished. Overall it went a lot smoother than I thought. Regardless of outcome, it was a good experience as I haven’t been in an interview since 1993’ish.

@CW3 Dylan E. Raymond, PHR … Based on the inflection on the voice of the Executive Director, she appeared to like your question “What would you say the most challenging aspect of the job?”.

Once again, thank you all very much for your advice. Now I’m off to write “Thank You” emails.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Jun 6 at 2016 7:35 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 19:35:16 -0400

1) Good luck!
2) Research the company. They may ask you questions in regards to how you see yourself fitting in.

Response by MSG Pat Colby made Jun 6 at 2016 7:37 PM

MSG Pat Colby — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 19:37:35 -0400

Make sure you don't have Jerry Springer blaring on the TV in the background.

Sorry but that's the best advice I got. Good Luck!

Response by SSG Pete Fleming made Jun 6 at 2016 7:43 PM

SSG Pete Fleming — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 19:43:56 -0400

Rehearse before the call, have your resume and a copy of the job description available, research the company, be natural. yourself, be respectful (don't curse or talk politics even if they do), don't fall into the silence trap (often interviewers will not say anything or won't reply so that you will ramble on an inadvertently say something wrong), address them by name, thank them, you need to have follow up questions, and if possible try to get them to tell you what to expect next... and if you ask questions, ask open ended questions the more comfortable they feel with you the better your chances... and most importantly relax, breath, it ain't nothing but a conversation and you've had those your entire life.

Response by PVT Amos A. made Jun 6 at 2016 8:15 PM

PVT Amos A. — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 20:15:51 -0400

Good advice here already.

I like to have a list of questions for them as well as them asking me questions. Ask about benefits obviously. But there are other questions to ask as well. Parking is important to me. I like to park in a ramp if I can. Not downtown 5 blocks away in an unsecured lot.

Also, be prepared for the typical interview questions like:
1. What are your strengths?
2. What are your weaknesses
3. What would your friends say about you? How would they describe you?
4. Describe a situation where you were in conflict with a boss (or with a coworker). How did you resolve it?
5. What are your goals for this job?
6. What are your long term career goals?
7. How long do you plan to stay at this job if you are hired?
8. How do you deal with stress?
9. What is your management style?
10. How do you deal with conflict with a coworker?
11. Why do you want to work for this company?
12. What is your definition of success?
13. How does your definition of success align with ours?
14. What would you do if you were harassed by a member of the opposite sex? The same sex?
15. Describe a situation where you added to a project or product.
16. Were you a member of any committees at your last job? Did you accomplish anything while in them? Give us an example.
17. Give us an example of when you last made a difference?

Ive been asked all of these questions and more during interviews.

By the way you should read and memorize their mission statement.

If its a healthcare job make sure you have a definition for "caring."

Someone here recommended asking open ended questions. Thats good advice if you can word them. You get more info from them if you do that. Specific questions are obviously needed for certain topics.

Do your homework tonight. Be prepared for tomorrow. And just be yourself. Remember you are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jun 6 at 2016 9:09 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 21:09:11 -0400

Problem with lots of advice is what thing on the 30 item list should you be paying attention to. Can't do all of them. So review in your mind why you're chasing this job in the first place and what will it get you and them. It all comes back to it in the end. Pair that with the attitude that you make the company better, then it's their loss if they don't bring you on. No regrets.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2016 9:11 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 21:11:13 -0400

Have several questions written down that you want to ask them about the position and/or company. Almost all interviewers ask if you have any questions before its over. Take the opportunity to show you are interested by asking about expectations of the position or ask why the last guy left, etc.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2016 9:18 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 21:18:10 -0400

Be yourself. Be confident, but, not arrogant.

Good luck.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2016 9:19 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 09:19:26 -0400

Hi, MSG Davis.

Lots of good advice here already. Specific to a phone interview, make sure you're battery is charged and have a good signal (it would be a bad time for a dropped call), find an environment in which you won't be interrupted (by people around you or incoming calls), and expect to be on speaker phone, and address everyone individually if possible. Say hello to everyone on the other end of the phone.

Good luck!

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Jun 7 at 2016 11:19 AM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 11:19:03 -0400

I did quite a few phone interviews as a Army Civilian manager. Phone interviews are difficult because you are working with only one of your senses (hearing) so your communication is limited. Here's a few things to keep in mind:
-Make sure you are in a quiet environment because background noise can be very distracting to the interviewer
-Don't speak too fast. If there's any lack of fidelity in the comm system, speaking fast may make your words much harder to understand. However, don't speak artificially slow.
-There may be a tendency to talk over one another. If you're unsure, assume it's always the interviewer's turn to speak.
-If you need a few seconds to write something down or cough or sneeze, just say "excuse me a second." It's okay.
-Acronyms can be a killer in a phone interview. Without visual cues you may not know that you are essentially "speaking Greek" to your interviewer. Start out using as few acronyms as possible. If the interviewer is in sync with your military background, they should let you know it's okay to use common acronyms, i.e., TDY.
-If you didn't understand the question, tell the interviewer.
-If communication with the interviewer is extremely difficult because of communication system problems or the interviewer's language or attitude, complete the interview as best you can, but call their HR department as soon as possible and discuss the situation. You may get a second chance for an interview with a different person.

Good luck. Send us some feedback.

Response by GySgt Warren Kemble made Jun 7 at 2016 12:36 PM

GySgt Warren Kemble — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 12:36:16 -0400

Good luck. I can tell you from experience, it's not easy and can be very disappointing. Don't be surprised if you never hear back from them after the interview. Just do your part the best you know how to. Be yourself, be informed.

Response by SPC Andrew Griffin made Jun 7 at 2016 12:39 PM

SPC Andrew Griffin — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 12:39:31 -0400

You got it! Its already done! We are speaking life over it!

Response by SFC Edward Nicholson made Jun 7 at 2016 6:05 PM

SFC Edward Nicholson — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 18:05:30 -0400

As a Recruiter for a large company the key thing for me is how you answer the questions. Did you just rambled in or did you put some thought into you answers. Also try to relax. Take a deep breath before your interview. Be confident, respectful and let what you can do for them! Usually the will ask you why they should pick you over everyone else or what makes you the best candidate. Think about it and don't come up with the same answer as everyone else "Hard Worker" or very "Dedicated and will give 110%". I am sure the last candidate said the same thing. Stand out with your answer. I have hired candidates who screw up all of the other questions but not that one out of the park! Good luck!

Response by SPC Brian Mason made Jun 7 at 2016 7:40 PM

SPC Brian Mason — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 19:40:41 -0400

Try not to be nervous. Have some humor, but keep it civil. Google some popular interview questions and prep for them. NEVER say you can't think of anything. Sit up. Don't wring your hands. Don't chew gum and turn your phone OFF. Always ask a question when they ask if you have any; unrelated to pay. Ask about the job responsibilities and/or what a shift is like for that job. Ask to see the Job Description if it wasn't posted online so you may read it, carefully during or at the end.

Response by CW3 Dylan E. Raymond, PHR made Jun 7 at 2016 9:40 PM

CW3 Dylan E. Raymond, PHR — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 21:40:18 -0400

So step one it is to have knowledge of the company. Remember it is a conversation focus on the problems that the employer has. So when we conduct telephone it is more of a get to know you conversation and the hiring manager feels you out tell you about the role and ask some questions.

Your goal on the telephone screen is to close for a face to face interview. Remember talk about how your experience will solve their problem. You want to be personable and demonstrate your capability. Take it serious but relax....I recommend standing up so the energy flows. Make sure you are in a quiet place and please do not be driving because that is a distraction. I had a candidate that did a telephone and was driving needless to say he did not get the face to face interview. I asked the hiring manager for feedback and he said the candidate sound like he was pre-occupied.

Remember as you’re pouring over your notes about the company and what they stand for that your ultimate goal is to be everything they need in a candidate and that means making sure your answers are specific, targeted and tailored…in a nutshell, customized.

It is an interview which means they’re going to be asking you questions, but it’s an opportunity to show your potential employer that you’re good at listening too. Talk, but don’t dominate the conversation. Let the interviewer guide the conversation.

Answer the questions, but don’t turn it into a one sided monologue. This is as much about you getting to know them as it is about them getting to know you.Have a few questions to ask like:

When would like like the new hire to start this role?

What would you say the most challenging aspect of the job?

How long has the role been vacant?

And definitely be upbeat and energetic and dont forget to close the interview; What's the next step in the process?

Response by SSG Derrick L. Lewis MBA, C-HRM made Jun 8 at 2016 12:42 PM

SSG Derrick L. Lewis MBA, C-HRM — Wed, 08 Jun 2016 12:42:53 -0400

MSG Private RallyPoint Member ,
You got this!!