Telephone Interviews

So many employers here do the telephone interview thing.  I find this a lot more nerve wracking than a face to face interview.  I mean, sure, you can sit in the privacy of your own home, in nothing but your knickers if you are so inclined, and be interviewed for a position, but I do so prefer face to face contact where you can see people's expressions, gauge their reactions to your answers, ect.  I find the whole telephone interviewing process quite disturbing and impersonal.

I was wondering what other people think and feel about it. 

I have another one of these telephone interviews this afternoon and I am looking forward to it about as much as one looks forward to being drawn and quartered.  I am so desperate to get out of where I am that I applied for three positions at the same company.  I just got a call from them and was told I am only allowed to apply for one.  So, I picked one and they set up a phone interview for me at 4:30.  It is, unfortunately, still in the world of retail, but better pay than what I am getting now, and it's away from the she-b**ch from the netherworld they replaced the good store manager"ess" with.  I want to break away from retail forever, but, more vital for my sanity at this point, I just need to get away from where I am ASAP.

Another thing I am having trouble with is trying to figure our how to go to interviews - real in-person interviews, that is - for better jobs when I have to work!   Since I signed up with an agency I have them looking for me...but, what am I supposed to do when they call and tell me they have an interview for me but it isn't on my day off.  And, with the way things are at the health food shop, I NEVER know when I am going to get my lunch break, so it's not like I can have them set me up for interviews on my break, since I never know when that's going to be.  This is my last day of freedom before I go back to the place I dread...but, what has me in bits over it is that I feel like I can't get out beccause I don't have the freedom to go to interviews.  What is one to do?


AAARRRRGGGGGHHHH!  I feel like there is no hope of me ever getting free from where I am.  I can't quit.  Jamie is so afraid that if I quit we will lose everything...things look so dire right now...but, I really didn't mean to get into that.

Back to the phone interviews:  What'cha think?

not sure how  you would  do it since  the only jobs I've had is supply work  (substitute teaching) and that is basically my choice if I can make it or not.. but could you make them  very early morning  (the  face to face interviews)  and  just say you will be in late?  or leave early and  go last thing..  ?  that may be better..  I am happy for you that you are getting interviewed.. I agree with you about NOT having the face  to face advantage.. I Remember even  dating  long distance  WAs a mess at times because of the not being able  to  read faces and  not making  something 'better' because  you don't really know what transpired  on the other  end.. i am more concerned  about what to wear.. i feel  it's a lot ,ore  casual here..and  I am always torn  between what i  usually wear  as my  'interview uniform' as opposed to what I have  seen  people  dress 'up'  in here in the UK..   DH says  you are better overdressing than underdressing..  not like I've been lucky enough to have loads of  interviews  ..  but  just thinking  aloud..  best of luck  with everything  Autumn.. keep us posted..

I don't mind phone interviews. I find myself concentrating too much on my posture and limiting my hand gestures in face to face interviews and of course that is taking away from thinking about my responses.

I was scheduled for a video interview two weeks ago and due to a tech problem we had to cancel. I wanted to go ahead with it on my phone up the UK employer insisted on the video conference... to see my facial expressions I was told. We ended up rescheduling and it turned out fine... oddly enough I thought the interviewers were too busy writing notes rather than observing my facial expressions. I like to joke that they just wanted to make sure I wasn't sporting a rainbow colored mohawk and piercings.

I like the idea of chatting/interviewing over the phone first to get the vibe if you are even willing to go through the hassle of dressing appropriately and travelling to the interview sites.

Then again I also like this approach when it comes to dating  

Much luck to you!

i had a telephone interview, actually 2, for the job i have now.  i was fortunate enough to have a meeting with the company's recruiter for 3 hours the first day who sussed me out.  he then called me back to speak to the CEO on the phone (scary!) and the person who is my manager now.  The funny thing is one of the women was in San Fran and it was 5:30am her time, so i was nervous about the impression i made.

be yourself, it will come out in the interview.  i was a nervous wreck but after it they were able to say 'we'll take her'.  It was hard as the questions were much more about work and my experience.  no BS on the phone!

good luck!

Hello!

First of all I wanted to say, good luck on your telephone interview today!

I'm not sure what to advise as far as interviews whilst working. From what my DH told me, usually agencies don't call you in for interviews; he said most of the time, they just call up and tell you that you have the job and when they want you to start. That's only from his experience though, I can't say its the same all over the country.

Perhaps you could tell your manager that you have a doctor's appointment if you know you have an interview coming up?

Sorry I couldn't be of more help but I'll have my fingers crossed for you!

Best of luck and all the best!

Angela

 

I like the idea of chatting/interviewing over the phone first to get the vibe if you are even willing to go through the hassle of dressing appropriately and travelling to the interview sites.

I agree with this however I always find telephone interviews more stressful, at least the anticipation of it....once I am actually in discussion, I forget my original dread of it.  I think its a good weeding out process....not just for them, but for you as well!

You mention you dislike retail....well since customer service skills are a big part of the job and you definitely have that skill under your belt, how about looking for a customer service type position in an office? At least you wouldn't have to lift or stand? Just a thought. Also as for the agencies setting appointments for you, I would ask them to give you a call before they book a date/time for you to be somewhere to interview...after all you too need some notice.

Best of luck!

Hello!

From what my DH told me, usually agencies don't call you in for interviews; he said most of the time, they just call up and tell you that you have the job and when they want you to start. That's only from his experience though, I can't say its the same all over the country.
 

Man i would have loved this! Those agencies had me all over just to meet with them, then getting into the company's interview schedule?  it was manic!

Autumn, i'd try and get them to plan your interviews on one afternoon-so if you have them in one week to call in 'sick' and do them on that day.

unfort there are not many ways to interview when you're working other than pulling a sickie or taking a vacation day   

My husband said I should use the doctor's appointment excuse...but, how many times can I use that one and get away with it?  LOL.  

I suppose I will just have to take it a day at a time.


Angela, I am most familliar with agencies just calling up to tell you that you have work somewhere, as well.  But, this agency - Adecco - sets up interviews for you; in the end, it's up to you whether you get the job, the agency just takes care of the searching for a job for you.

I agree with this however I always find telephone interviews more stressful, at least the anticipation of it....once I am actually in discussion, I forget my original dread of it.  I think its a good weeding out process....not just for them, but for you as well!

You mention you dislike retail....well since customer service skills are a big part of the job and you definitely have that skill under your belt, how about looking for a customer service type position in an office? At least you wouldn't have to lift or stand?

This is exactly the kind of thing I am looking for - and the kind of thing which the agency is looking for me, too - this and just general office admin/PA type jobs.  I have an interview - which they have set up - tomorrow...I'm just praying that I can get to it on my lunch break...somehow!

It was hard as the questions were much more about work and my experience.  no BS on the phone!

Yes, this is what I was told the questions would be about this time, as well.  It's a competency interview, where they ask you behavioural type questions and also ask about previous work experience.


I always feel so nervous on the phone, and, unfortunately, I tend to telegraph that all too well.  I'm much more at ease in person.  But...we shall see what happens this time.

Do you have a set hour for lunch? You could always do it at lunch. I did that and I found that if you let the agency know how tight your schedule is and that you don't want to lose your job by them finding out that you're looking for a new one, they'll accommodate for you.

Like I said, I had one during a lunch hour. The company I was interviewing for knew this and they made sure I got out in time and they were really good about it. And don't worry about making a bad impression because of it. I got the job. They understand! Probably better than you think.

As far as telephone interviews go, I've only had one and I didn't like it either. I thought it was much more stressful and much harder to get your point across without the use of your body language.

Do you have a set hour for lunch?

Well, that's what I did today, had an interview at lunch.  The thing is, I don't have a set time, it always varies a bit with it being a busy retail shop.  But, I know it will all work out.  I put my notice in today (Jamie told me I could), and I feel so much better.  I think the area manager (because she needs someone who knows what they are doing) will let me stay on longer than two weeks, if I need to, and she will be flexible, also, if I get another job straightaway - I got a call from another agency yesterday about another admin position that sounds great and they thought I sounded perfect for...so, I am feeling loads better, a LOT less stressed.  Jamie is happy to see me smile again.


Yeah, I did the phone interview yesterday.  I thought that I was well prepared for it, had even written down responses to questions that I thought they would ask.  Alas, they didn't ask what I thought they would, so I was still as flustered as ever.   Oh, well...I'm not too upset about that one anyway - it was another retail position, and I want out of retail - I need out of retail.  That was one thing that my area manager said, she thought that I would do much better (health wise), if I wasn't standing all day - standing and lifting.  She understands because she has a curvature of the spine almost identical to mine.

Anyway...things are looking up.  YAY!

hey it sounds like things really are looking up!!!    good luck