Phone Interview

[BO-AT]

Hi everyone,

I am meant to be having a phone interview this week and really don't know what to expect from it as the agency have to yet released the details of the company they are recruiting for so its not like i can swat up on the company or anything. Apart from my interview with Clyde Marine for my cadet ship I have never had any other interviews let alone a phone one, so any advice about it would be much appreciated.

Thanks

[ETwhat?]

google will throw up some obvious basic ideas http://jobsearch.about.com/cs/interv...einterview.htm etc,

what I would say is if you know that it is 'the call' answer it professionally hello, x speaking etc this way you have come across well and also saved having to clarify if you are actually the right person, also don't answer it and then turn the tv off, do it first then answer so you can give them your undivided attention. on top of having your CV to hand have a note of everything you have sent them already as this gives you an idea of what they already know about you and saves doubt, also keep paper and a pen handy so you can make some notes as you go along firstly the persons name, even if you don't use it for anything else but to tank them for their time at the end it is good to use a name,

similarly a list of questions that you need answers too, ship type, length of trips, leave ratio, pay, perks, facilities on the ship and if this is volunteered by them during the interview put the answers down beside your question, this will save you asking for the same info again.

If you haven't sent them copies of certificates and things already have them scanned in ready to go, its far better to be able to say that you will send them right over and do that instantly than having to spend an hour faffing around getting everything ready, plus its useful to have a digital copy of them.

[bobofinga]

My main advice about a phone interview is don't treat it like a phone call , treat it like a formal interview.

Sit at a table , don't wear your pyjamas , don't be eating or have any background noise ... try and make yourself sound engaging and eager.

Everything else ETwhat seems to have covered...

[EH75]

haha I actually did my last phone interview in my pyjamas whilst wandering about the house. Still got the job. On a serious note yeah, pretty much what ETWhat? said.

[ETwhat?]

haha I actually did my last phone interview in my pyjamas whilst wandering about the house. Still got the job. On a serious note yeah, pretty much what ETWhat? said.

I find it very hard to have a long call sitting around and do tend to pace, a bad habit that I picked up from a boss a long time ago,

[EH75]

Yeah would agree with that. Apparently you project your voice more when standing up so it makes you sound more confident also. Top tip from my past life working in a call centre!