I got a phone interview tomorrow...?

Question

I'm a bit nervous because it's hard to talk without any visual cue of the interviewer.
I can't come off as being too friendly or too impersonal.

Has anyone been through a successful phone interview, and what are some of the most common questions that they ask? Any tips?
(This job is for a genomics institute of a research foundation, and it's an entry-level engineering job.)

Answer 1

I conduct hundreds of phone interviews a month. A Phone interview is more of a screening, they want to see if it is worth their time and your time to come in and meet with them physically.

The phone screen will be relative to the job position. They are going to ask you questions which will weed you out as a good or bad candidate for the engineering position. Make sure you understand the job duties that are needed, look at their website and get company information as well.

Another porition of the phone screen can be "behavioral" questions, to make sure you are a fit for their company culture and industry culture. These questions can range from asking you where you see yourself in five years or tell me an experience where you successfully used a specific computer program to complete a project.

Try to be relaxed, you don't want to come off as nervous, just realize that they are as much in the dark as you are, they have no idea who you are or what makes you tick, they are just as nervous trying to find the right questions to ask and understand you. Make sure you sell yourself, be confident, quote information from their website and state specific job skills you have that matches the job description you are applying for. GOOD LUCK!

Answer 2

I've been through quite a few phone interviews. Just be calm and be yourself. It's exactly the same as a real interview except you can't see each other. I think I had my pajamas on when I was interviewed! Take time to answer a question. Pause if you need to. Talk in a place where you won't be disturbed. Most of all have confidence in yourself...good luck!

Answer 3

Sorry to hear about your loss of employment, especially as there are so many in the same position. But you should tell them up front about your DUI, and the results from that incident. If you do lie and they find out, and they usually do, then your application, will enter the round file, )Waste Paper Basket ). So explain the situation, but also emphasize all your prior experience as best you can. Do you have a Resume ready to send them as well. Try to keep it to one page if you can. With all the pertinent information about your ability to do the job and do it well. If you have the time, write a crib sheet, of all the details you wish to talk about. Put it dates and your previous jobs, and length of employment with each. Often when we are a bit stressed in these kinds of things, details escape us, and if you were to say, sorry, I can't recall that, it's like a small hit, on your interview. So the fewer bad hits you get, the better your chances of landing that job. Try and give them as much of your background as you can, I once went on an interview for one job, but didn't get it. But they called me back and hired me for another position. Because I had a background for that new job, that I wasn't even aware was open.But they liked what they saw in me, and thought I could fit in nicely with the other position, which I did. Good luck on your job hunt.

Answer 4

lets start off by not saying I GOT



the most common questions at an interview are .... ( im not sure if it would be the same with a phone interview ... but just a little practice for you ... )

1. Tell me a little about yourself
2. Why do you want a job here?
3. What are your weaknesses / strengths?
4. Why would you be an asset to our company?













*** remember to be calm & sound confident




good luck! :)

Answer 5

Most likely you are talking with a HR person who's goal is to pre-screen you before you meet with the decision maker in person. Try to be upbeat (like you're meeting your girlfriend/boyfriend's grand parents for the first time) and have a positive spin on every answer you give. Also, be prepared. Have a copy of your resume and all written communications between you and the company. If you have any prior job experience be prepared to answer questions like:
What were your responsibilities
What did you like and dislike about the position
What is your reason for leaving.

If you need to draw out a timeline to help you keep your dates straight, do it. Only you truly understand your capabilities and only you can sell yourself. Best of luck.

Answer 6

You want to come across as God's gift to the planet.

You are the ultimate number one person in the world and to deny you a job would be their downfall.

What makes you so special?
Why should I hire you?
What have you done in the past that stands out?
What are your future plans?
What will you be doing in 1 year, 5 years, 10 years?
How do you handle stress?
What are your strengths?
What are your weaknesses?
Do you work better in a group or on your own?

Answer 7

I had one for the job that I am in now. They pretty much ask you the same things as a regular interview. They ask you...What are your best qualities? Things that you could work on? a tough situation that you were in? what can you bring to the company? Things like that...It's kind of a screening process so that they don't waste everyone's time by having you come in.