I just had a phone interview out of the blue for a job I applied for and I was a rambling idiot! It was awful ( at least to me) and I repeated myself etc.

Have you guys had this happen to you?

My hands are shaking now as I type I was so damn nervous.

Was it unannounced?

Girl, why you nervous?

I'm a consultant and work for companies all over the country. So almost all of my interviews are only be telephone. I almost get an attitude when I gotta do a face to face cuz I'm so used to being hired by the strength of my resume and phone interview.

If it saves me the expense of traveling to an interview, I'm all for it!

Actually, I've had several phone interviews over the years. I like them. But you hit on the most troublesome aspect of a phone interview - a tendency to ramble.

I think it has a lot to do with the fact that you don't get any non-verbal feedback from the interviewer. You really have to prepare for a phone interview the same way you would for a face-to-face. Make sure you have some short, sharp answers to the most common questions prepared in advance.

I would never agree to an on-the-spot interview. If they call and want to interview you, simply say you have a meeting in a few minutes and ask if you can call them back at an mutually agreeable time.

Genesia said:

This is VERY true. You feel the need to fill the dead air if you stop talking and there's no respone. It's easy to think they want more info so it's important to ask if your answer is sufficient.

The only drawback is they cannot see you and you cannot see them.

I hope the interview went well.

Did you ask when they would get back to you?

mcmeekle said:

yup

SCNDLS said:

she loved my resume but whether she decided not to hire me is another matter but she did say to come in on Friday

Genesia said:

ah ok, thanks for the tip, i was going to say that but then I didn't want her to think that because i didn't t that i would be that way on a job.

there was silence after i finished my very short answers but i felt i repeated things and my voice was kinda on the nervous side.
[Edited 1/15/10 17:45pm]
[Edited 1/15/10 17:47pm]

luv4u said:

I hope so 2 hun, she said she'd send me an email and asked me to come in on Friday

SCNDLS said:[quote]

Genesia said:

This is VERY true. You feel the need to fill the dead air if you stop talking and there's no respone. It's easy to think they want more info so it's important to ask if your answer is sufficient.[/quote]

I like that. something to remember

missmad said:

Phone interviews are an excellent way for both of you to decide if you're even interested in pursuing anything. Kinda like online dating. Remember, the decision is not just theirs so be sure to ask them questions up front instead of wasting your time with something that's not a fit. Anytime people call me, I ask them up front how much the job pays and if I can telecommute. It saves so much time and energy. Good luck.

If you want to take a little time to think of an answer, pretend you're going through a tunnel, gives you some valuable minutes.

mcmeekle said:

Unless of course they've phoned you at home....

mcmeekle said:

SCNDLS said:

good idea. I was so nervous I didn't really have any, lol.

Thanks hun.

missmad said:

YW

I have been on many. NEVER hired from them. But I got pretty far with them. But never to the point of hire. Usually by the 5th interview they find someone else.

The key is to stand, and look in a mirror while you are talking. No shit. It works. When you are sitting your energy is lower than when you stand. Coming from radio I knew that trick. And also smile while talking. It lifts your voice. I sat on one phoner and was an epic fail. If I walked and talked to a mirror I rocked.

missmad said:

ok a 2nd interview.

Best of luck, let us know what happens.

KatSkrizzle said:

I will try that one time.

luv4u said:

I'm not sure that is something I forgot to ask-should i assume it is a second interview? She pretty much asked me all the interview questions.

missmad said:

Oh goodness. You're too cute. You must've really been nervous.

Did you interview with the hiring manager or with someone who is pre-screening candidates? Chances are she was just pre-screening and your in person will be with the actual decision maker who will then tell you more about the actual job. You may also meet or be interviewed by other folks you would interact with in the position.

SCNDLS said:

, thanks hun . That may me laugh. I was.
Her title is Coorndinator and the Trusts and Foundations Coordinator at The Burnet Institute ( help with TB, malaria and HIV) for Medical Research and Public Health

She said she'll get back to me in an email can I ask her if friday is a 2nd interview then or no?
[Edited 1/15/10 19:34pm]

missmad said:

If she's a coordinator that prolly means she's not the decision maker and it's her job to determine who is worthy of an actual interview. She shoulda told you all of that and fully explained the process. That's another good question to ask on a telephone interview: What is the hiring process for this position?

SCNDLS said:

ah ok. she didn't. Can I ask that in an email? I think i really stuffed this up I really shoulda said no I'm busy can we make a time. Never again.

missmad said:

Like everything else, it's a learning process. I've been doing phone interviews for over 10 years so I can do this in my sleep.

You may want to send an e-mail thanking her for her time and ask 2-3 questions for clarification. It can't hurt and shows you're interested in the job even if you arent.

SCNDLS said:

It is a learning process. Wow A decade! LOL . Seriously, that is a while.

That is a great idea, thanks.

missmad said:

Your welcome . . . wait are you saying I'm old as fuck???

SCNDLS said:

, no no honey, age ain't nothing but a number, I just meant that it is a long time to be doing something and it is kinda cool that u got all that expereince behind u that u can do it in ur sleep.

missmad said:

Uhhh huhhhhh . . . .