Phone interview with HR tomorrow - pointers?

Mazeroth

I have a phone interview tomorrow morning with an HR rep for the company I'm trying to work for. Any pointers? Anything they like to ask that might catch me by surprise?

Thanks in advance for any help. I'm studying as I type this (well, not really, but you get the idea!).


EDIT: Every interview I've been in (three in my life) they always ask if I have any questions. I'm good friends with someone that works at this company that does the same job and I know everything, I believe, there is to know about the job, thanks to him. Though, I think it may look bad that I don't have any questions. What's a solid question to ask?

snow

Since I dont have a clue what company it is or what posistion that your trying for its hard to say something specific But if asked I would ask a couple of questions related to your specific job and how you can make the company grow to show that you are allready looking out for their best interests and to give the HR person a chance to show his/her knowledge.

REGARDS SNOW

mrbigbluelight

snow wrote: »

give the HR person a chance to show his/her knowledge. REGARDS SNOW

That is, IMO, the best advice you can carry into an interview.

It doesn't matter how you feel after the interview: "Wow, I think I nailed that !".
Nope.

Give the interviewer a chance to "brag" on the company.
Doesn't necessarily what you ask, but give the interviewer a chance for him/her to display their knowledge.

"Why, yes, Mazeroth, we do use trash can liners here at Acme, Inc. We've found that it helps reduce odors, yadda-yadda-yadda."

"I thought I noticed that coming into the building ! I think that's a great idea that Acme uses trash can liners. At my previous job, that's one idea that I implimented after some of our clients commented on unpleasant trash can odors. After we installed trash can liners, sales rose 200 % !"

Substitute your field's tools for trash can liners, and ... you get the idea.
"One of the things that interested me in Acme Brain Kutters is that I read in JAMA that you use the Brain Cracker 2000z scalpel. Not many offices do; have you had much succes with them and, if so, do you think you'll continue using them ?"

It's like a date. You have to impress her with the fact that you're not a slug,to be sure. But even if you're a slug, if you get her to talk about herself, than you've won the battle.

(substitute "him" for "her" as needed)

Good luck.

Big Dawg

If it's a public company, read the Annual Report. Read any press releases you can. Google for anything recent and newsworthy - you should know what is publicly available about the company.

Ask how many people at the company have jobs similar to the one you're interviewing for, and what the career growth path is for that position.

Ask about the hiring manager - who he/she is, and what they may be looking for - what problem or need is being solved by filling this role?

Good luck!

punk-roc

Even if you feel you "know" everything about the company.. it doesn't hurt to ask questions pertaining to your perceived role in the company. Your friend may not know exactly what the management wants with the position, in addition, its important that the HR person knows you are curious about the position.

messiah

Be alert, speak professionally, and don't have any distractions around. Write things down as he / she tells you things, and that might give you options for questions. Other questions might involve benefits, vacation time, etc.

Sorry, I know it's not much, but I haven't had a formal interview in a really long time.

quadzilla

Mazeroth wrote: »

I have a phone interview tomorrow morning with an HR rep for the company I'm trying to work for. Any pointers? Anything they like to ask that might catch me by surprise?

Thanks in advance for any help. I'm studying as I type this (well, not really, but you get the idea!).


EDIT: Every interview I've been in (three in my life) they always ask if I have any questions. I'm good friends with someone that works at this company that does the same job and I know everything, I believe, there is to know about the job, thanks to him. Though, I think it may look bad that I don't have any questions. What's a solid question to ask?

So turn that around and say something like this; I've discussed the responsibilities for this position with <my friend's name>, who currently holds a similar position with the company, and my understanding of the position is <whatever he told you about it>. Is this a correct understanding, or will there be other/additional responsibilities?

Also be ready to state concisely why you're interested in working for the company, what your career plans are and how they fit with the company's goals, and be ready to discuss your greatest success and failure, and what you learned from them. Neither of those should be people related if this position will be dealing with other people in any way, which is pretty much every position.

If I knew what type of position it was, I might be able to give more specific advice, but most of my experience is with interviewing for technical and management positions.

And good luck.

disneyjoe7

Have a resume' with you, it helps with what you have done and dates. It will come off you're relaxed and prepared. Good Luck.

kevhed72

Research the company and position as much as possible, but don't seem over-anxious to point out all the information you know.
Also, listen to each question thoroughly, take a second, and then respond appropriately.
Never, ever speak poorly of past employees, co-workers, or negative situations you may have been in; ie think in terms of OPPORTUNITES rather than PROBLEMS when these types of questions are asked...

jflail2

Know your own (old) company cold as well. I had a friend absolutely cruising through an interview until he was asked "how many clients does your company have". Not something that matters to anyone in my group (we don't need to know that; the sales folks and account managers do), but he said the interview basically tanked after that one.

So know your company well, even the things you may not care about.

Obviously know the company you're interviewing with cold as well.