The Working Life

The Art of the Phone Interview

March 28, 2009

I’ve done four interviews for summer jobs thus far, and three of them were conducted over the phone. I chalk up this arrangement to my interest in the public sector, which is generally not known for having loads of extra cash with which to conduct on-campus recruiting. Instead of rocking a suit around Ives Hall like my friends get to do, I usually conduct my interviews in my pajamas in my room, or, as the case was on Thursday, standing in the rain on the Ag quad.

I’d say they have all gone well, except for the one I unwisely scheduled for a few minutes after a demoralizing prelim. I’ve been able to express my interests, background, and experience pretty coherently, even mastering a cogent response to, “that sounds like quite an interesting major. Tell me more about it!”

Despite how many I have done this year and last year, I still find it disorienting to be able to hear someone but not see their gestures or expressions. Since I unashamedly talk with my hands, I also feel like I overcompensate for not being able to gesture or smile by – wish I were kidding – giggling! I’m actually quite professional and serious in person (sometimes too professional…) so hopefully it hasn’t cast any doubts about my qualifications.

Hopefully, I’ll have commited to a job by the middle of April, and then I can replace my phone interview attire with something a little more snazzy. I can honestly say that I would love to work in any of the organizations on my list, so I think it should be a great summer, even if I’m not yet the master of the phone interview.

Entry Filed under: Real World?,Spring 2009. Posted in  Real World? ,Spring 2009 .