Telephone Interviews

**2uk** · 16 May 2007, 17:35

Originally posted by tino

My esteemed contractors, consultants and support bods. Some of you may remember that I had been touted for a job role in Milan but couldn't commit to the early date which they wished me to commence delivery.

However said client has told the agent that they are interested (at the terms I've asked for) and would like to give me a telephone interview. Now as I've never done an interview over the telephone before - I am looking for tips.

I envisage that there will be more than one asking questions their side and the organisation is a pretty huge electronics company (with an office in italy - therefore I could be screened by the tallies

)

help mi oot guv

p.s - I'm through their preferred supplier and I've been told that I am the candidate they have forwarded to the client if that makes any difference

The good side of phone interviews is that you can go back and forth nervously

**DS23** · 16 May 2007, 17:46

had quite a few of them. they are great if you are at home (sans kids is best!) 'cos you can have prepared data in front of you. you don't need to be dressed up, or stress about finding the interview location etc.

i've done them at client sites and that is a bit tricky - need to find a quiet corner. sometimes the only place is outside on a mobile and then you get interference from traffic, planes, wind, rain and poor signals... hehe

last telephone interview i did was in italy, outside the cients HQ in milan, in the pouring rain on the mobile with a board of frenchmen in paris who spoke limited english. the frenchies were on the line - not with me. got the gig.

in fact, the first ever contract i got was after two telephone interviews. didn't see anyone until the day i turned up on site which is normal now but seemed most bizarre and rather stressful at the time. i was convinced they would spot me as a fraud and send me straight home. ended up staying there for two years.

yeah, i like telephone interviews.

**HankWangford** · 16 May 2007, 18:03

just dont finish the interview with the phrase Vafankoola, or do if they are greasy c**ts

**tino** · 16 May 2007, 18:18

Originally posted by HankWangford

just dont finish the interview with the phrase Vafankoola, or do if they are greasy c**ts

or breosh a mezza kosh

**christhecontractor** · 16 May 2007, 18:59

most likely there will be several of them on a conference line, this can make it more difficult to hear what they are saying - I've failed a telephone interview because of this before. If you have to keep on saying excuse me could you repeat that - you won't get the job, so best to make sure you're in a quiet place and turn the volume up on your phone.

**tino** · 16 May 2007, 19:18

Originally posted by christhecontractor

most likely there will be several of them on a conference line, this can make it more difficult to hear what they are saying - I've failed a telephone interview because of this before. If you have to keep on saying excuse me could you repeat that - you won't get the job, so best to make sure you're in a quiet place and turn the volume up on your phone.

thanks mate - good advice....

As I'm the only candidate - I just have to ace this and its in the bag I think

**HankWangford** · 16 May 2007, 19:27

Originally posted by tino

thanks mate - good advice....

As I'm the only candidate - I just have to ace this and its in the bag I think

what the rates like over there?

**christhecontractor** · 16 May 2007, 19:35

good luck, don't get too confident - it's not in the bag till it's in the bag!

**tino** · 16 May 2007, 19:50

Originally posted by HankWangford

what the rates like over there?

I want this one too much to get cocky over it - but ill keep myself grounded alright

re: rates - PMs aregetting 400 per day (im a project planner so a bit less than that lol) but italian residents basic salary is around 1000 euro per month so the cost of living is a good bit cheaper

Telephone Interviews