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Hi. As a 100% telecommuter, I do phone interviews exclusively (for the last
10 years, anyway).
For the most recent contract, I had three phone interviews - the first with
a "non-manager" type tech writer, then with her manager, then with a
"techie" tech writer. I haven't had to do a face-to-face interview in quite
a while (but again, most of my work is for clients who aren't anywhere near
me, anyway).
Most of my meetings are also conference calls (sometimes with speaker
phones). This gives me practice in listening skills. Waiting a moment or
two, after the person is done speaking (perhaps), is a good technique.
Usually, during interviews (phone or face-to-face), I take notes and save my
questions until the end, when the interviewer usually asks "do you have any
questions?"
All the body language you would normally display during a personal interview
must be conveyed over the somewhat inadequate phone lines. So, not only
smile, but use words like "excited about this opportunity", some 'm-uhms' to
show you're listening and tracking the conversation, and even talk with your
hands - although they can't see you, the animation comes through in your
voice.
Develop a confident, friendly tone for answering the phone -- it is your
'first impression'.
I believe the "virtual" interview is here to stay (thank goodness, IMHO).
Maybe brush up on your professional speaking skills, as they are germaine.
__________________________________
Jodie Gilmore
Fulcrum Communications, LLC
Washougal, WA
www.fulcrumcomm.com
"Did you wake up this morning thinking the world wasn't going to be
different?"
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+jgilmor=pacifier -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+jgilmor=pacifier -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf
Of voxwoman
Sent: Tuesday, November 25, 2008 9:55 AM
To: dvora -at- tech-challenged -dot- com
Cc: TECHWR-L
Subject: Re: Telephone interviews
I've had phone interviews for over a decade now, especially for first-cut
engineering jobs that would have meant relocation. Two of these interviews
had "tests" involved with them - I had to solve problems over the phone.
Remember to smile when you're talking - it changes the timbre of your voice.
More recently, the phone interview has been with the recruiter, not the
actual hiring manager.
-Wendy
On Tue, Nov 25, 2008 at 11:53 AM, Deborah Hemstreet <
dvora -at- tech-challenged -dot- com> wrote:
> Hi Everyone,
>
> Is anyone familiar with telephone interviews? Is this the norm these days?
>
> Would you have any tips for that type of an interview? The only one I
> had before was about a year ago... when they said I kept interrupting
> them... but it sounded to me like they were done speaking, and I
> wanted to ask a question about what they were saying... so I know now
> not to talk much... but then, what is the point of a telephone interview?
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Deborah
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