phone interview

cinnamon

hi, I am doing a phone interview next week for a telesales job (incoming calls, no selling). Can someone tell me what kind of questions to expect?
I have done countless 'normal' interviews before and am usually confident but I am finding it very hard to get a job and don't want to blow this interview.
Thanks in advance

J.P.M

Never ever let an interview take place over the phone. That my advice!

JP

Irish Wolf

J.P.M wrote:

Never ever let an interview take place over the phone. That my advice!

JP

Umm... Why?

In fairness by the looks of things the role the OP is applying for is going to be primarily dealing with phonecalls, so I think its probably fair enough for them to ask for a phone interview.

As regards advice, I'll throw out the old cliche of "be yourself". :rolleyes: Seriously though, don't try and bull them, or try and put on any airs and graces. I'd imagine they may try and sting you to see how you might cope with an irrate caller, so be ready for that.

I personally know of a few people who were offered jobs solely based on a phone interview - and these were for engineering jobs... lol.

Best of luck.

J.P.M

If they cant be bothered to meet you:rolleyes: why bother with them.

JP

Irish Wolf

J.P.M wrote:

If they cant be bothered to meet you:rolleyes: why bother with them.

JP

Umm...

Irish Wolf wrote:

the role the OP is applying for is going to be primarily dealing with phonecalls, so I think its probably fair enough for them to ask for a phone interview.

Only my opinion, but it's the best/easiest way for this type of company to get a feel for who they are interviewing - they know who/what they're after.

jrey1981

I would guess you will be asked things about your customer service skills - eg "how would you deal with such and such a customer?", and also about your experience.

You need to look at it as an opportunity to try and build a rapport with the interviewer over the phone in order to demonstrate that you have the skills and ability to do this with a customer.

cinnamon

Irish Wolf wrote:

I'd imagine they may try and sting you to see how you might cope with an irrate caller, so be ready for that.

Thanks for the warning. Could so easily happen. I'll be prepared

jrey1981 wrote:

You need to look at it as an opportunity to try and build a rapport with the interviewer over the phone in order to demonstrate that you have the skills and ability to do this with a customer.

Yes. Actually when the girl rang me to tell me about the interview I was so conscious of my telephone manner - trying to be polite and smile, etc. I probably overdid it tho :rolleyes:

Anyway thanks all for your advice

kc66

I did a phone interview ages ago. Caught me off guard a bit- just rang out of the blue and asked loads of questions. He asked mainly questions about giving examples of how you have dealt with or might deal with certain customer situations. Have you ever sold a new product? Have you ever dealt with awkward customers. Cant really remember but you could guess many of the questions.
It looks much better if you can give examples of real situations you were in.

cinnamon

excellent, thanks kc

hshortt

Make sure you smile (it can be heard!), & listen attentively. Speak clearly and slow enough to be understood. Doodle on a notepad to calm the nerves and do your best to be confident. Likely they'll present you with a situation and ask you what you'd do.

Good luck
Cheerio
Howard

cinnamon

thanks howard

Black_Couch

Try be in a room on ur own for the call but don't get nervous on the phone. And as a poster already said, its the perfect time to build up rapport with the manager.

Have your cv in front of you and any other information you might need.


This can always help aswel.

cinnamon

Black_Couch wrote:

Have your cv in front of you and any other information you might need.

yeah that's the great thing about this type of interview - I'm a bit "old" (31) so therefore forget what jobs I've done and when and am always changing my CV around to suit the job so forget what's on it!
Cheers

Red Alert

the phone interviews are often done by an outside company. they'll have a list of questions and they want an 'answer' for each one, very often they won't explain it any further that the question itself. it's not totally conversational in nature.

cinnamon

hi everyone
I did the phone interview and it went well. Got called back for a "real" interview.
For future reference they just asked "why did I want to work for X", "what skills do you need to work for X" blah blah.
And the interviewer read out a little scenario and asked questions and I had to give answers, but it was really basic like what was the callers name, etc.
God what have I let myself in for??