Petem95

Ive got an interview next week which is being conducted over the phone which seems a bit odd.

The interview is competency based (not technical), but I cant really think of what sort of questions Im likely to be asked?

Anyone had a telephone interview before? What sort of questions came up?

cheers!
Pete

OllyK

Yup - common practice these days, usually pretty low key general stuff to get a general feel for you, how you come across etc etc. May ask a couple of technical questions just to verify you know your stuff.

Jerome

This was discussed recently. Look here...

Mark Miwurdz

I don't know if you've followed any of these studies on communications skills but in a face-to-face situation the make-up of your message is as follows:

- What you say (content), 13%
- How you say it (tone of voice, tempo etc), 37%
- Body language (eye contact, arms folded etc) when you say it, 50%

On the phone the visual bit's gone so it goes something like:

- What you say, 20%
- How you say it, 80%

I know I haven't got these percentages spot on but the principle is proven. If you can, make the call standing up a sit makes a huge difference to how you express yourself. If you need to sit down during the interview to take notes, for instance, make sure you don't rest your chin in the palm of your hand when you talk - sounds horrible.

Best of luck.

Cheers
Kav

Dark Blue Mark

I had one with Shell, and they asked some very untechnical questions.

Make sure you are up on current affairs, in case they come out with one like "can you talk around a subject currently in the news"

Or "what is your view on the progress of mobile phone technology"

I printed out all the info on the company and had it spread around my desk in front of me. Try not to "er" or "um" and they want quick decisions and responses. Sometimes you are actually being listened to by more than one person.

The Shell one threw me, as it was non-technical, hence I work for a superior competitor

MB

Smiler

I always phone interview people. At least 50% fail.

I will ask techie Q's and I'm looking for delivery as well. You'ld be amazed at the number of the "professionals" who can't hold a phone conversation