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Phone Interviews

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Mingg
Posts: 13978 - Karma: 49,320
Help me.

I have a phone interview tomorrow for a summer job that I really, really, really, really want. I've put in a lot of hours towards the application processes and I feel super lucky to even get an interview. I've been interviewed before for part time jobs, I also have interviewed others to work for us. But idk, I've never been this nervous and I'm not really sure how to prepare for an interview. I've always just showed up and answered the questions they've asked and that was the end of that.

I have moderate social anxiety and I don't know, I'm tweaking a little bit. I'm definitely overthinking this but yeah, I just want to do well. Help. Please haha.
Apr 4 2016 10:01PM
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Deepskier
Posts: 3267 - Karma: 4,829
say what you would say in person
Apr 4 2016 10:04PM
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Chubz.
Posts: 13918 - Karma: 25,661
phone interviews are easier than IRL interviews i think. I've had a ton its not hard you just gotta go into it with the same mindset and preparation as you would for a IRL interview. Dont think too much about it.
Apr 4 2016 10:09PM
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Rennis_Deynolds
Posts: 2739 - Karma: 19,059
its an advantage have a shitload of papers around you telling you what to say so you don't blank and look like a special needs
Apr 4 2016 10:10PM
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Olimar
Posts: 3535 - Karma: 4,076
practice responses to typical interview questions you are expecting to be asked. Nothing is worse than saying "um" over and over again during a phone interview because its that much more obvious when their only sensory input of your is auditory.

Do you research.

Print out your resume and cover letter and have it in front of you

Find out who is interviewing and do your research on that person

dress nicely for phone interview, it will put you in an interviewing mind set.

Practice your response. x2.
Apr 4 2016 10:30PM
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JAHpow
Posts: 7282 - Karma: 17,176
Just pretend that they're naked on the other end.
Apr 4 2016 10:44PM
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Mingg
Posts: 13978 - Karma: 49,320
Olimarpractice responses to typical interview questions you are expecting to be asked. Nothing is worse than saying "um" over and over again during a phone interview because its that much more obvious when their only sensory input of your is auditory.

Do you research.

Print out your resume and cover letter and have it in front of you

Find out who is interviewing and do your research on that person

dress nicely for phone interview, it will put you in an interviewing mind set.

Practice your response. x2.


I wrote out about 4 pages of answers of things I could be asked... I also wrote down what i'd do if confronted by an angry parent/nervous parent/clueless parent and then strengths/weaknesses, I wrote out essentially my current job description and everything I do there, uhhhh I'm gonna print out my application too which had a whole interview section on it with like 15 questions so there's that and then my resume/cover letter I'll print too.

She said it would take an hour. And that scares me lol. ahhhhhh, I want this job so bad. I hope I impress her. Based on our emails I think we got off on a good start. She said she was looking forward to speaking with me and that my application looked good. I don't know if that means anything. I hope it does lol.
Apr 4 2016 10:50PM
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Olimar
Posts: 3535 - Karma: 4,076
MinggI wrote out about 4 pages of answers of things I could be asked... I also wrote down what i'd do if confronted by an angry parent/nervous parent/clueless parent and then strengths/weaknesses, I wrote out essentially my current job description and everything I do there, uhhhh I'm gonna print out my application too which had a whole interview section on it with like 15 questions so there's that and then my resume/cover letter I'll print too.

She said it would take an hour. And that scares me lol. ahhhhhh, I want this job so bad. I hope I impress her. Based on our emails I think we got off on a good start. She said she was looking forward to speaking with me and that my application looked good. I don't know if that means anything. I hope it does lol.


Know your answers, dont read them word for word. And you wont be able to sift through the 4 pages of answers you wrote down to find the answer to the question she asks. But also, dont be afraid to say something along the lines of "thats an interesting question, would you mind if i took a couple minutes to collect my thoughts." and think about what you want to say.

If its going to be an hour long, she probably expects it to be conversational. She will also provide a lot of information on the position itself. Dont be afraid to ask a question during the interview. Definitely have some questions prepared to ask after the interview.

Have a strong closing too. Thank her for giving you the opportunity of interviewing with her, and mention that speaking with her about the position has heightened your interest.

Get her personal contact info. Email her after, thanking her again.

Thanks for helping me avoid studying for my exams tomorrow.
Apr 4 2016 11:07PM
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ModMommy
Posts: 10817 - Karma: 57,210
Don't forget to expect answers about your flaws/things you could improve upon!!!

dress up like you would for an interview, and try to have all your materials nearby.
Apr 4 2016 11:24PM
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eheath
Posts: 61604 - Karma: 123,113
At least its a phone interview, I did a remote skype interview once, it was a bit awkward.
Apr 4 2016 11:52PM
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Outoftowner
Posts: 114 - Karma: 160
MinggI wrote out about 4 pages of answers of things I could be asked... I also wrote down what i'd do if confronted by an angry parent/nervous parent/clueless parent and then strengths/weaknesses, I wrote out essentially my current job description and everything I do there, uhhhh I'm gonna print out my application too which had a whole interview section on it with like 15 questions so there's that and then my resume/cover letter I'll print too.

She said it would take an hour. And that scares me lol. ahhhhhh, I want this job so bad. I hope I impress her. Based on our emails I think we got off on a good start. She said she was looking forward to speaking with me and that my application looked good. I don't know if that means anything. I hope it does lol.


I'd just have notes for answers that will jog your memory. You don't want to speak word for word. That will show through.

Also, I interview a lot of folks for my company, and I always expect candidates to have intelligent questions about the company, the position, or the career trajectory associated with the position.
Apr 5 2016 12:04AM
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robbinJAHood
Posts: 1202 - Karma: 3,075
Be naked. Good luck Ming I luv u
Apr 5 2016 11:04AM
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Mingg
Posts: 13978 - Karma: 49,320
robbinJAHoodBe naked. Good luck Ming I luv u


haha thanks Savvy, i luv u too haha.

45 more minutes. I'm so damn nervous but also pretty excited. Ahhhhh.
Apr 5 2016 2:15PM
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McNoche
Posts: 1731 - Karma: 3,661
Just talk dirty and rub your titties. That's how all the phone interviews I've seen go down. But they are porn videos...so there's that.
Apr 5 2016 2:22PM
1 0
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Mingg
Posts: 13978 - Karma: 49,320
McNocheJust talk dirty and rub your titties. That's how all the phone interviews I've seen go down. But they are porn videos...so there's that.


hahaha thanks. I'll definitely try that (;
Apr 5 2016 2:28PM
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ModMommy
Posts: 10817 - Karma: 57,210
McNocheJust talk dirty and rub your titties. That's how all the phone interviews I've seen go down. But they are porn videos...so there's that.


You are one of the most annoying members.
Apr 5 2016 2:33PM
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McNoche
Posts: 1731 - Karma: 3,661
safarisamYou are one of the most annoying members.


cool beans
Apr 5 2016 2:35PM
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Chubz.
Posts: 13918 - Karma: 25,661
safarisamYou are one of the most annoying members.


Ban him pls
Apr 5 2016 3:20PM
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McNoche
Posts: 1731 - Karma: 3,661
Chubz.Ban him pls


settle down little chubby. Put your bra on and a have nice, warm glass of milk. We will both feel better.
Apr 5 2016 3:40PM
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Mingg
Posts: 13978 - Karma: 49,320
Yo that interview was fucking great honestly.

I think I gave some good ass answers and we had good conversation between them. She told me a lot about how stuff worked and what I could expect. She gave me the start date, training stuff and everything, told me about the schedule and all of that. She said she'd get back to me in 2-3 weeks with more information. I don't know if that is good or if that is bad. She said she had to do a few more interviews and reach out to references.

Now I'm gonna go stress out for 2-3 weeks till I hear back ahahahaha.
Apr 5 2016 4:03PM
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Chubz.
Posts: 13918 - Karma: 25,661
McNochesettle down little chubby. Put your bra on and a have nice, warm glass of milk. We will both feel better.


You and sjw would make an amazing couple
Apr 5 2016 6:23PM
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Shoey-Ski
Posts: 1649 - Karma: 6,190
MinggYo that interview was fucking great honestly.

I think I gave some good ass answers and we had good conversation between them. She told me a lot about how stuff worked and what I could expect. She gave me the start date, training stuff and everything, told me about the schedule and all of that. She said she'd get back to me in 2-3 weeks with more information. I don't know if that is good or if that is bad. She said she had to do a few more interviews and reach out to references.

Now I'm gonna go stress out for 2-3 weeks till I hear back ahahahaha.

Congrats!!! Sounds like you were all but, hired on the spot.
Apr 5 2016 9:46PM
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skittiti
Posts: 172 - Karma: 434
MinggYo that interview was fucking great honestly.

I think I gave some good ass answers and we had good conversation between them. She told me a lot about how stuff worked and what I could expect. She gave me the start date, training stuff and everything, told me about the schedule and all of that. She said she'd get back to me in 2-3 weeks with more information. I don't know if that is good or if that is bad. She said she had to do a few more interviews and reach out to references.

Now I'm gonna go stress out for 2-3 weeks till I hear back ahahahaha.


from my experience with phone interviews, this is usually a pretty good sign. the interviewer is not going to elaborate on the job description, what to expect, etc. unless theres a good chance youre going to get hired. congrats.
Apr 5 2016 10:02PM
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corona
Posts: 12801 - Karma: 32,779
Olimarpractice responses to typical interview questions you are expecting to be asked. Nothing is worse than saying "um" over and over again during a phone interview because its that much more obvious when their only sensory input of your is auditory.

Do you research.

Print out your resume and cover letter and have it in front of you

Find out who is interviewing and do your research on that person

dress nicely for phone interview, it will put you in an interviewing mind set.

Practice your response. x2.


I disagree with this. Interviewers don't want responses that sound like they've been rehearsed. If you're legitimately ready for the position then there's no reason to be stumped on a question. Even if it takes you a couple moments to gather your thoughts it's much better than spewing out a response that sounds recited and disingenuous.

source: I'm 5/5 on interviews for a mixture of government and university positions. I've wore normal blue jeans to every one too. /claim
Apr 5 2016 10:12PM
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Mingg
Posts: 13978 - Karma: 49,320
VinnieFI disagree with this. Interviewers don't want responses that sound like they've been rehearsed. If you're legitimately ready for the position then there's no reason to be stumped on a question. Even if it takes you a couple moments to gather your thoughts it's much better than spewing out a response that sounds recited and disingenuous.

source: I'm 5/5 on interviews for a mixture of government and university positions. I've wore normal blue jeans to every one too. /claim


I definitely had an idea of things I'd say and wrote them all out but then when I was talking to her it just kind of came naturally haha. I usually have a super bad time talking, but somehow I didn't stutter much, I said like and um a weee bit, but not every other sentence like I usually do and a few minutes in a definitely think I sounded much more relaxed. Honestly, that was like best possible scenario for me. We sort of bonded a bit and I think I impressed her with my experience.

Also, I noticed she asked a lot of situational questions, like what would you do if blah blah blah. I would answer and then she'd tell me what she'd expect if I were hired and each time, what I said was pretty close to what she had explained, she just worked off of what I said and overall I think I impressed her a bit(hopefully haha). But I don't think she'd go through the trouble of saying what she wanted if she wasn't considering me. Maybe I'm wrong? I don't know. I got a positive vibe from that though haha.

I'm stoked haha. I think I should send her a thank you email. I heard that's a good thing to do? And it makes you stand out a bit more for taking the time to recognize them. Sooo, thoughts? I'm really serious about this job and want to do everything right.
Apr 5 2016 10:21PM
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Outoftowner
Posts: 114 - Karma: 160
VinnieFsource: I'm 5/5 on interviews for a mixture of government and university positions. I've wore normal blue jeans to every one too. /claim


You got yourself dressed.

That's good enough to ace a government job interview.
Apr 5 2016 10:39PM
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corona
Posts: 12801 - Karma: 32,779
MinggI definitely had an idea of things I'd say and wrote them all out but then when I was talking to her it just kind of came naturally haha. I usually have a super bad time talking, but somehow I didn't stutter much, I said like and um a weee bit, but not every other sentence like I usually do and a few minutes in a definitely think I sounded much more relaxed. Honestly, that was like best possible scenario for me. We sort of bonded a bit and I think I impressed her with my experience.

Also, I noticed she asked a lot of situational questions, like what would you do if blah blah blah. I would answer and then she'd tell me what she'd expect if I were hired and each time, what I said was pretty close to what she had explained, she just worked off of what I said and overall I think I impressed her a bit(hopefully haha). But I don't think she'd go through the trouble of saying what she wanted if she wasn't considering me. Maybe I'm wrong? I don't know. I got a positive vibe from that though haha.

I'm stoked haha. I think I should send her a thank you email. I heard that's a good thing to do? And it makes you stand out a bit more for taking the time to recognize them. Sooo, thoughts? I'm really serious about this job and want to do everything right.


Sounds like you did everything right. The fact that the answers came naturally definitely means you're ready for the job and an interviewer absolutely will have noticed that. Some ums and a like or two are for sure fine and won't matter at all (unless you're applying for a job as a media relations person or something like that).

I think situational questions are where you can really stand out. It weeds out the applicants who may seems amazing on paper but who wouldn't necessarily know what to do in situations outside the scope of the job.

Honestly, I don't know about sending a thank you email. If you had interviewed someone and they sent you a thank you email how would you take it? Personally I'd be thinking "uhm, thanks? I know you exist, I just saw you". But others may take it differently. If you did bond a bit that may be enough already for you to stand out and have them recognize your name. But who knows, it might also be a good thing.

Sounds like you probably have an excellent chance at getting the job.
Apr 5 2016 11:34PM
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Brue
Posts: 392 - Karma: 1,948
Try talking dirty
Apr 6 2016 3:41PM
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