GUEST COMMENT: Lessons I have learned from failed phone interviews

10 May 2010

2 minute read

GUEST COMMENT: Lessons I have learned from failed phone interviews

A telephone interview is far higher stakes than you realise. I also include video interviews in this statement. They can be done for a myriad of (good) reasons but they are generally a risky option. Given that you can't actually read each other's body language and facial expressions there is plenty of room for things to go wrong. I have had a few, and sadly most have ended in tears (or Dear emails and "Let me down gently" feedback from headhunters).

Location

Make sure it is quiet and secluded. A public place is a bad idea, as is a "quiet coffee shop". Make sure you will not be interrupted, particularly not by a colleague in search of a caffeine high.

Notes and planning

Take the usual, CV, notes etc and take advantage of the opportunity to prepare what you have in front of you. Take previous work, annual appraisals etc. There is no excuse for not being on top of your game here, this is an open book exam. Make sure everything is easily available and to hand; print it out, don't rely on a PC which may crash randomly at the crucial moment.

Appearance and general demeanour

You may be interviewing down a telephone line, but it will honestly do you no favours if you're wearing a dressing gown and smoking a roll-up. You don't need to wear a suit, but you do need to feel professional. Dress comfortably, but smartly, and smile when you talk. The latter is important; it really does make a difference.

Take control of that call

Slow things down to a pace you are happy with. Take the call on a headset, not hands free. Also record it if possible and do a bit of post-match analysis so that you can follow up with a targeted email and address any areas you feel you didn't cover adequately.

Good luck; because if they actually thought you were worth meeting they would have made time to see you in the first place...

The author is an anonymous ex-investment banker who is now working for an anonymous fund several miles to the west of the City of London

AUTHORAnonymous

Insider Comment

Gl
Global Leader 1808-88- Asia
12 May 2010
Very true ! post global financial crisis, many corporations increase their using Skype -- audio and visual -- to conduct job interviews. It feels just like a video-conference like what happened to my close buddy last week. A 120-minute virtual interview . . . a Europe-based MD (headhunter) together with its Dubai-based Director called an Asian-based candidate for a Middle-east job. No need to fly to any locations, that saved lots of cash and time.
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S
S
11 May 2010
As I am overseas, planning a move to London, I've had plenty of telephone interviews with both headhunters and hiring managers. All your advice is sound. Too bad it doesn't help when the headhunter repeatedly gives you the wrong time for the interview and the client calls unexpectedly while you're on a noisy bus...
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An
Anon
11 May 2010
In short, AVOID TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS wherever possible.
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HH
HH
11 May 2010
Telephone Interviews/Video conference calls only if you are abroad - no reason otherwise.
Client should then pay for your flight over for more formal meetings.
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an
anon
10 May 2010
"Good luck; because if they actually thought you were worth meeting they would have made time to see you in the first place"
Exactly. I always push for an in-person meeting and when they push back (even when I offer to meet them at their place at their choice of time) I already figure it's a lost cause. Headhunters love this tactic as they can just collect a vast number of CVs and then claim they have 'interviewed' the person (even if it's a 15 minute phone call). Now that I am more senior I don't take these calls anymore...but when starting out there isn't much you can do.
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