phone interview

First off congratulations on landing a phone interview.

Is this a private sector job or law enforcement? Is the interview with HR, the forensic lab manager, your immediate supervisor, someone else?

Generally if your interviewer is in forensics you are not going to win points by trying to show how smart you are. The in-person interview is where that will start making a difference. You will score points by being level headed and articulate.

Everyone has a different way to prep for an interview, a deposition going to court or other stress inducer. You will want to find what your personal centering / focusing ritual is because it is difficult and counterproductive to try to copy what someone else does.

Personally I always take a moment to phrase my responses in my head before I engage my mouth. However many people get psyched out because they think it is taking a really long time to answer and think the pause is too long. Then they start thinking about the pause and not their answer and then it goes really wrong from there. In reality the pause, at least for me, is seconds.

I know other that generate a list of every question they can conceive. Study the list until the answers flow. Which is great as long as you are not asked a question you did not prep to answer.

Others just know it is going to be horrible and try to keep the answers short and sweet. However their answers often end up sounding rushed and incomplete.

Just remember in many cases the interviewer is trying to listen and formulate their next or follow up question and may be equally nervous and concerned about bollixing their words.

Calm, cool, short, sweet and to the point.

Thank you for the advice Bithead, much appreciated. I usually am a very calm person. I've just never experienced a phone interview before and this is what is making me a bit nervous. Although I do enjoy trying new things….
I will keep in mind your advice on taking a moment to formulate an answer to all questions asked during the interview.
Libby

Hi Tibbs,

In my experience the most tricky aspect of a phone interview is that as you are a little nervous you have to be very careful to ensure that the interviewer has finished speaking/asking a question so that you don't keep interrupting (inadvertently).

Also, a bottle of vodka before the chat is good for your nerves…. D

Good luck!

David.

A phone interview is typically for the purpose of determining whether it is worth it for them to bring you in for a face to face. They are, most likely, going to be interested in

1. Whether you are articulate, personable and sound like someone who can be a team player?

2. On a basic level, what are your skills (don't expect detailed questions like the allocation block size of an NTFS partition)?

3. What are you looking for in a job? Are you committed or is this just something to get you by until you find what you really want?

One other thing to remember is that the phone interview is ALSO a chance for you to interview them. In other words, you should be using it as a chance to determine whether they are a good fit for YOU.

So, relax and be yourself. As others have suggested, don't try to oversell yourself. Instead, view it as a discussion between two colleagues who may, someday, be co-workers. You have the advantage because all they have to go on is your voice so use it well.

Think about your answers before you say them. Like testimony, if you don't understand the question, ask them to repeat it or ask it in a different way and then think about your response before you give it (but not too long).

Pick a place for the interview that is comfortable for you. If you don't feel comfortable with other people overhearing the conversation, then find someplace quiet and isolated.

Try to eliminate extraneous noise (music, traffic, etc.), since this can be distracting to the party at the other end.

At some point they may ask you if you have any questions for them. Think about this in advance. You want/expect certain things from an employer just as they expect certain things from you. They will (or should) want to know your ambitions and whether they are a good fit for you so prepare some questions to ask them.

Don't be afraid to ask questions related to total compensation. What other benefits will be provided? Health care? Retirement? Transportation assistance? Asking about these things will show them that you are thinking about the whole package, something that an experienced employee would think about.

Most of all, don't feel like you have anything to lose. At this point, this is an exploratory conversation, nothing more. So relax and use it as a chance to learn about a potential employer and sharpen your interviewing skills.

You may well have been through your interview already - if so I hope that it went well !

If not, one thing that I've found useful - knowing the job specification in advance, make a list of points that you want to get accross to the interviewer about your knowledge and experience in certain areas, so that when you are asked, you can recall quickly and aren't left wishing that you'd said something when you hang up.

Thank you all for the advice…I had the interview today. I think it went well but it could have been better on my part. I was nervous, but it was my first one and it was definitely an education.
I caught myself saying uhmm once or twice but I don't think I interrupted. And I was patient regarding the silence in between questions and answers.
Oh well, you learn from your mistakes. I consider this the beginning of a new adventure (-

Wait.

You're saying someone in the US is hiring?

Here in the UK I would say that the graduate market in the last three months is the best it has been for the last couple of years….It isn't easy but at least there are roles out there!

David.

Hi all,
I didn't get the job….the company wanted someone with at least a year of experience which would be less training on their part.
I hope this isn't a sign of what the majority of companies are going to say…….but have a feeling it will be.

The same old "company wants experience" and "entry level prospects need experience" thing………