Phone interview brilliance!

November 3, 2014 10:49 AM

Do you have a favorite tip for doing a fantastic job in a phone interview (a conference call with a selection panel of four people)? This is the final step for a contract gig for which I'm one of several finalists. Looking for extra input because I really care about getting this one if I can!

I'm good on the phone, but I rarely do formal phone interviews.

(This is like a contract job, but the classical music version of one -- it's a big commission for a new piece of music. I've done a variety of commissions / am a great candidate for this one on paper and otherwise.)

This week, each of the finalists will do a 30-minute conference call with the four people on the selection committee -- possibly all in a row (I know my call will directly follow their call with another finalist).

They selected finalists based on a portfolio of existing work plus a not-very-detailed proposal re. the new piece. Interestingly, they did *not* ask for applicants' full CVs. So their priorities are clearly previous work and ideas over qualifications-on-paper. I have no indication beyond that of specifically what they'll want to talk about for 30 minutes.

posted by kalapierson to Work & Money (17 answers total)

One of the advantages of a phone interview is that you can have copious notes in front of you that you can refer to. I wouldn't rely on them, but it's great to have a list of follow-up questions that you might want to ask, or some information about the company that might wow them that you might not be able to recall right in person.

Also, take notes while you're on the phone, of pieces of information that you can call back to at the end of the conversation, and about things you can use to mention in your thank-you note.
posted by xingcat at 10:53 AM on November 3, 2014 [3 favorites]

So I don't have any content advice to give you -but - smile while you're talking. It will make affect your tone and make you sound warmer. No idea why, but i noticed an audible difference in my voice (as heard on remote presentations) when i was actively smiling during the presentation and when I wasn't.
posted by Suffocating Kitty at 10:55 AM on November 3, 2014 [8 favorites]

Use a land-line phone, with a wired stereo headset (or cell phone with wired headset). Make a few calls on the setup beforehand so that you are used to the headset and have confirmation from the other end that your voice sounds fine.

Keeps your hands free for notes or wild gesturing, and your voice clear and consistent volume.
posted by Diddly at 10:57 AM on November 3, 2014 [6 favorites]

I always have notes in front of me with key points to cover.
I always have questions to ask in front of me.
I always have the names of the folks interviewing me written down.
And I always use a headset and walk around while I'm talking.
This gets me in the proper state and my energy up to reflect high energy and excitement, as opposed to one foot in the grave bored.
I also tend to use my hands when I talk, and the headset allows me to do that.
posted by John Kennedy Toole Box at 10:58 AM on November 3, 2014 [2 favorites]

Yes - walk around or at least stand up.

Good luck.
posted by Lesser Shrew at 11:05 AM on November 3, 2014 [2 favorites]

Going to suggest standing.

Notes are good.

Also, be dressed. Don't take the call in your jammies and bunny slippers.

Good luck!
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 11:19 AM on November 3, 2014 [3 favorites]

This may seem like a no-brainer, but keep a close eye on the time and don't be afraid to pause before or during your answers. Since you have been told the interview is scheduled for 30 minutes, aim for close to that. The last hiring committee I was on did several 30 minute phone interviews of long-listed candidates to determine whom we would fly in for in-person interviews; with most people our interviews went for 25-30 minutes, which was perfectly acceptable. However, it was VERY noticeable when two candidates finished in 15 minutes. This was despite our efforts to coax more elaborate answers from them (hey, we knew phone interviews can be nerve-wracking!). Both of the candidates came across as being uninterested in the position, even though their later feedback told us that was not the case.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 11:43 AM on November 3, 2014

Walking around while I talk helps me on phone interviews.
posted by COD at 11:46 AM on November 3, 2014

All advice above is good. I wanted to emphasize using a landline phone if you can. I know it's a pain (when I was unemployed I used to have to go over to my dad's house to use his landline for phone screens), but it's worth it. I have done a lot of phone screens and it's super annoying when the candidate is on a cell phone and it goes in and out.
posted by radioamy at 11:53 AM on November 3, 2014

Make sure it's not the first bit of talking you do in the day. You can't make a good impression with the morning thick throat.
posted by scruss at 11:56 AM on November 3, 2014 [1 favorite]

Related to hurdy gurdy girl's advice, remember to have a clock in the room where you're doing the interview. I overlooked this in a recent phone interview and it was hard not knowing how long I was talking for, or how much time was left generally.

I find my problem with phone interviews is going on too long or rambling, rather than being too concise. Jotting down a few keywords from each question as they were asked helped me to remember what the question actually was (!) and to keep my answers on point. You can always ask them if they'd like you to go into more detail about any part of what you've said.

Good luck!
posted by fussbudget at 11:57 AM on November 3, 2014

I want to second fussbudget. We've done some terrible phone interviews where the candidate missed the point of the question and proceeds to monologue for 10(!) minutes without stopping, all off topic. I strongly suggest a short answer, checking in to see if you're on track, then elaborating if you are.
posted by chocotaco at 12:44 PM on November 3, 2014 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Thank you for all the excellent ideas so far!

Landline may or may not be possible, since I'll need to do this from a hotel room. I'll find out what the hotel's prices are. (I'll be originating the call, which may or may not be to an 800 number -- don't know what conference service they'll be using, but I know they'll be telling me same-day what number to call).

I have a very good headset for my cell phone, at least...
posted by kalapierson at 12:55 PM on November 3, 2014

Definitely my tips would be:

• Use a landline to ensure you can hear them and they can hear you -- nothing is more awkward than a call breaking up or getting dropped
• Have prepared base answers and notes in front of you, plus a question or two to ask at the end
• Smile while you talk (it comes through in your voice)
• Have water nearby in case you need it, but not in a spot where you might accidentally knock it over
• Still do things like nod your head and use body language that helps you feel engaged (it will come out in how you talk)
• Practice your base answers and practice pivoting to them out loud before the call
• As the call approaches, make sure your relaxed and breathing at a slow, steady pace and you didn't just do a lot of walking around or anything right beforehand
• This sounds obvious, but use the bathroom before the call
• Make sure your cell phone (assuming you use a landline) is silent and out of your way, and you are not on email/G-chat etc. so you aren't inadvertently distracted by other things popping up -- even if you ignore them, it mentally pulls you away for a second
• You can stand or walk around if you want -- I understand why people do it -- but for me, I prefer to sit and have my notes in front of me and use them as a guide during the call
• For me, getting dressed up doesn't feel any different, so wear sweat pants if being more comfortable will help you
• Be affirmative on the call. I've had phone interviews with multiple people on the other end and I tended to sit back and wait for them to ask me to speak up. I think I came off passive or unengaged because I really let them control the call and I was a bit shy. Definitely don't be afraid to pipe up, "That sounds great," "I appreciate the chance to talk with everyone," etc. when there's a break or an opportunity to confirm something.

posted by AppleTurnover at 3:51 PM on November 3, 2014 [2 favorites]

When I was first looking for a teaching job, I did a bunch of these and I received fantastic advice from a veteran, which I can verify having been on the opposite side of phone interviews a couple of times now.

DON'T GO ON AND ON AND ON AND ON. You are getting no visual cues, so you don't know how people are reacting. Try to make your answers concise, and offer to add more if they want to hear more or time permits.
posted by wittgenstein at 3:24 PM on November 4, 2014

Response by poster: Very much appreciate all the help! I had the interview and think it went great. It was especially useful to focus on being concise and proactive as many of you advised.
posted by kalapierson at 11:27 PM on November 4, 2014 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: (and: heard I got it!)
posted by kalapierson at 10:10 AM on November 10, 2014 [2 favorites]