phone interview

[Bob Sacamano]

has anyone ever had one of those? I'm supposed to be going through on selling Scotts lawn products, on Monday

thought I'd ask and see what I should prepare for it

 

[Rampage]

it will go great if you use this
http://www.i-am-bored.com/bored_link.cfm?link_id=18464

 

[JohnnyHopkins]

has anyone ever had one of those? I'm supposed to be going through on selling Scotts lawn products, on Monday

thought I'd ask and see what I should prepare for it

I never had one, but it would help if you study their products, website, etc. and come prepared with good knowledge and some good inquisitive questions about them; Things like what their best selling products your area are, what new product lines they are coming out with and if they anticiapte it being a good line to promote where you will be assigned, etc. One example: I believe they also make the "Ortho" insect killers. I personally use the Ortho Defense Max because it is one of the few products that you can buy over the counter that kills scorpions (big issue down here in Corpus Christi). I've found very little difference in using that vs. using a professional service. Excellent value for the product.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head, hope it helps.

 

[Signals]

Prepare for a phone interview like you would a face to face interview. Dress nicely, it will make you feel more professional and hence come across more professional even though your on the phone.

When I would do phone interviews I would remain standing, it would make me think more clearly. Act as if your in the presence of the person your on the phone with. It will transfer in your voice. Be sure to smile as that will transfer in your voice as well.

Avoid food and drinks that may cause you to have to clear your throat when you speak on the phone. for example coffee and sugar causes me to have to clear my throat a lot so I avoid them when I need to speak with good inflection.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I never had one, but it would help if you study their products, website, etc. and come prepared with good knowledge and some good inquisitive questions about them; Things like what their best selling products your area are, what new product lines they are coming out with and if they anticiapte it being a good line to promote where you will be assigned, etc. One example: I believe they also make the "Ortho" insect killers. I personally use the Ortho Defense Max because it is one of the few products that you can buy over the counter that kills scorpions (big issue down here in Corpus Christi). I've found very little difference in using that vs. using a professional service. Excellent value for the product.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head, hope it helps.

Prepare for a phone interview like you would a face to face interview. Dress nicely, it will make you feel more professional and hence come across more professional even though your on the phone.

When I would do phone interviews I would remain standing, it would make me think more clearly. Act as if your in the presence of the person your on the phone with. It will transfer in your voice. Be sure to smile as that will transfer in your voice as well.

Avoid food and drinks that may cause you to have to clear your throat when you speak on the phone. for example coffee and sugar causes me to have to clear my throat a lot so I avoid them when I need to speak with good inflection.

thanks guys

they said it's going to take up to 20 minutes

idk how I'll be with that

 

[Meat-O-Rama]

thanks guys

they said it's going to take up to 20 minutes

idk how I'll be with that

You won't even notice the 20 minutes pass. I've had hour long technical phone interviews and when its over you don't even realize how much time has gone by.

Good points in the previous post about how to conduct yourself. Get to a quiet place without distractions so you can focus on the interview and the questions they are asking.

 

[Yeagermeister]

Make sure you turn off the pron or mute the sound.

Ohh and put your pants on :laugh2:

 

[DallasCowpoke]

selling Scotts lawn products

Insist that they call you by your nickname, "Grubworm".

 

[Dallas]

We teleconference all the time w/ potential candidates out of state. My interviews are preset. I test the individual on what I am hiring them for. I usually have about 20 questions we run down on the technical side of things, so that we are certain they know what they are doing when they are hired. You would not believe the crap ive seen on a resume that wasn't true.

Depending on his/her answers, we may proceed to the interests, goals, commitment of the individual if hired. If they are are just shining us on, it is usually a short tele interview.

No offense to the previous poster, but I would not spend time learning the products they sell. That will be taught to you if hired. You aren't expected to know that unless you have it anywhere on your resume or a hobbiest lawn guy.

Never bash any of your past employers. If asked about your past history, just bring up that you worked there and enjoyed the experiences you learned. Leave it at that.

Keep your answers short and direct. Do not ramble on and on, just to hear yourself talk, like you do on here.

Good luck.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

You won't even notice the 20 minutes pass. I've had hour long technical phone interviews and when its over you don't even realize how much time has gone by.

Good points in the previous post about how to conduct yourself. Get to a quiet place without distractions so you can focus on the interview and the questions they are asking.

We teleconference all the time w/ potential candidates out of state. My interviews are preset. I test the individual on what I am hiring them for. I usually have about 20 questions we run down on the technical side of things, so that we are certain they know what they are doing when they are hired. You would not believe the crap ive seen on a resume that wasn't true.

Depending on his/her answers, we may proceed to the interests, goals, commitment of the individual if hired. If they are are just shining us on, it is usually a short tele interview.

No offense to the previous poster, but I would not spend time learning the products they sell. That will be taught to you if hired. You aren't expected to know that unless you have it anywhere on your resume or a hobbiest lawn guy.

Never bash any of your past employers. If asked about your past history, just bring up that you worked there and enjoyed the experiences you learned. Leave it at that.

Keep your answers short and direct. Do not ramble on and on, just to hear yourself talk, like you do on here.

Good luck.

thanks guys, I'm not that worried anymore now, even though I hate talking on the phone

 

[AbeBeta]

I've been on both ends many times. Best advice I can give is to have lots of good questions to ask. That a) makes you seem interested and b) gets the folks doing the interview talking more. The more they talk, the better they will like you. Also, if you can give some thought to what they might ask and practice responding to those questions, you'll end up with a good amount of prepared material to use.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I've been on both ends many times. Best advice I can give is to have lots of good questions to ask. That a) makes you seem interested and b) gets the folks doing the interview talking more. The more they talk, the better they will like you. Also, if you can give some thought to what they might ask and practice responding to those questions, you'll end up with a good amount of prepared material to use.

trying to go to sleep last night I was kind of rehearsing what I would say, and thought about writing them down

alot of good **** in this thread

 

[ScipioCowboy]

I've been on both ends many times. Best advice I can give is to have lots of good questions to ask. That a) makes you seem interested and b) gets the folks doing the interview talking more. The more they talk, the better they will like you. Also, if you can give some thought to what they might ask and practice responding to those questions, you'll end up with a good amount of prepared material to use.

When do you recommend asking these questions? Should I wait until they ask me for questions, as they normally do towards the end of the interview? Or, should I pose my questions before they even request them, interspersing them throughout the interview?

 

[AbeBeta]

When do you recommend asking these questions? Should I wait until they ask me for questions, as they normally do towards the end of the interview? Or, should I pose my questions before they even request them, interspersing them throughout the interview?

If it fits into a response to one of their questions, that is best. Otherwise you'll have to wait until they ask, which they may not do or may not have time for

 

[ScipioCowboy]

If it fits into a response to one of their questions, that is best. Otherwise you'll have to wait until they ask, which they may not do or may not have time for

Thanks.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Thanks.

hey! quit gleaning information from my thread!

 

[TwoCentPlain]

Phone interviews suck. They really do. I even had to do one in Japanese. The one good thing about a phone interview, you can do it in front of your computer. So, you can use the internet or files to get info quickly. Have the windows opened before the interview starts so you can access them easily.

 

[AbeBeta]

Phone interviews suck. They really do. I even had to do one in Japanese. The one good thing about a phone interview, you can do it in front of your computer. So, you can use the internet or files to get info quickly. Have the windows opened before the interview starts so you can access them easily.

You know we can hear you typing, right?

 

[TwoCentPlain]

You know we can hear you typing, right?

Oh, yeah. I know and make no secret of it. I always tell the interviewer and sometimes the interviewer would ask me to go to their website during the interview.

I just think it helps to show the interviewer that you have prepared.

 

[AbeBeta]

Oh, yeah. I know and make no secret of it. I always tell the interviewer and sometimes the interviewer would ask me to go to their website during the interview.

I just think it helps to show the interviewer that you have prepared.

Me, I'm more impressed when the person doesn't seem like they are looking things up on the fly. You can of course print that stuff out as well