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I've been reading this book called "Knock em Dead" and the guy who wrote it basically says to ask for the face to face interview at the end of the phone interview... Is this too forward? The position is just a part time/hourly position...
After reading all the stuff about HR and black listing on this website, it's safe to say I'm feeling extra worried. I keep wondering if there's a secret reason behind why I'm not finding jobs. My last HR manager at a retail department store (similar to jcpenney) didn't like me very much, or anyone for that matter, she just kind of had this bitter and resentful personality and would talk trash about me and other associates even though I worked there for over 2 years. And the only manager at the store who really respected me left because it was such a bad work environment and she actually wouldn't even tell ANYONE where she was going (so there's no way for me to kinda reach out to her and ask for guidance OR for a reference). We didn't even find out she was leaving until 5 days before her last day, she didn't give anyone a way to contact her at all.
My nerves are getting the best of me. I'm trying to get some really good basic work experience and save up money because my best friend and I want to move to a bigger metro area and try to find jobs there.
Any tips or suggestions would help out a lot. Especially whether or not to ask for the face to face interview - that seems very bold to me and I don't want to rub someone the wrong way by seeming too forward.
He's right I have over 10 years in sales and you need to close for the next step. But let's back up.
A phone interview is light. They ask you about yourself what you have been doing work/school wise then tell you about the position. If you like the sound of what they are selling, show interest. When they get to the end of their spiel say below.
Then say " I am excited about this opportunity what is the next step in the process " there you just closed them for the F2F see that wasn't too bad was it. If they hem and haw, testing you say "I want this opportunity when can we meet, tomorrow at 3PM?"
Practice with a friend/family member so that you can deliver it with no um, or stutter.
You will do fine.
In a cutthroat job market/economy if you aren't asking in a assertive and tactful way you are going to be left behind.
What I like to do, because everyone gets anxious, is nice hard cardio for 20 minutes, light breakfast and shower and it helps me excel at interviews.
You will find numerous web sites that present questions you may be asked during a phone interview; read up on them and practice your answers.
Have your resume in front of you because you're more than likely to be asked about your past jobs (even though they already have your resume in front of them). They are mainly wanting to hear how well you communicate; and how well you respond under pressure.
Don't get too wordy with your answers and start to ramble.
Don't have the tv on or music playing during the phone interview; if you have a pet, have it out of the room (and earshot if it's a barking dog); don't have kids or anyone else in the room. During one phone interview, the candidate had her crying/screaming kid nearby and it told us she was not prepared and could have had someone watch her kid for her)...she was scratched off the list.
Have a glass of water nearby because I'm sure your throat will start to feel dry from nerves.
Take a deep breath before answering the phone.
As far as asking for a face-to-face interview; that's a crap shoot because some interviewers like assertiveness, while some others may not. Just tread easy if you do broach that subject.
It may depend on the position or industry but yes, I consider it way too forward and it most certainly will not get you an interview. You would be told, "We are still doing phone interviews and we will make our decision on what candidates to bring in for in-person interviews after we complete the phone interview process."
Ask or not ask, it probably won't make any real difference. If an applicant did that at the end of a phone interview with me I would simply reiterate our process, thank them for their time and move on. It would neither help nor hurt their chances.
I don't mind seeing temp staff assignments on applications. Work is work, and any experience is helpful.
Portray a positive impression in your voice, as there are no non-verbal cues (they cannot see you and read your body language). Ask, at the end of the interview, if all of there questions have been answered.
Treat the phone interview as if its a face-to-face. It's all too common for people to not take the phone interview seriously because "it's not a real interview." It definitely is.
So, prep as you would for a face-to-face. Including answers to standard questions. Because it is easy to ramble on the phone, have a few points written down for the most common questions as a way to guide your responses.
Also, smile. Maybe you'll look deranged constantly smiling but they can't see you so who cares? The point is that smiling will add an engaged, positive tone to your voice.
I've been reading this book called "Knock em Dead" and the guy who wrote it basically says to ask for the face to face interview at the end of the phone interview... Is this too forward? The position is just a part time/hourly position...
After reading all the stuff about HR and black listing on this website, it's safe to say I'm feeling extra worried. I keep wondering if there's a secret reason behind why I'm not finding jobs. My last HR manager at a retail department store (similar to jcpenney) didn't like me very much, or anyone for that matter, she just kind of had this bitter and resentful personality and would talk trash about me and other associates even though I worked there for over 2 years. And the only manager at the store who really respected me left because it was such a bad work environment and she actually wouldn't even tell ANYONE where she was going (so there's no way for me to kinda reach out to her and ask for guidance OR for a reference). We didn't even find out she was leaving until 5 days before her last day, she didn't give anyone a way to contact her at all.
My nerves are getting the best of me. I'm trying to get some really good basic work experience and save up money because my best friend and I want to move to a bigger metro area and try to find jobs there.
Any tips or suggestions would help out a lot. Especially whether or not to ask for the face to face interview - that seems very bold to me and I don't want to rub someone the wrong way by seeming too forward.
Relax. You've got this in the bag. What I like about phone interviews is that you can script your answers. Write down all those basic questions and come up with well-thought-out answers. That way, when it comes to interview time, you can pause for a second to give the illusion that you're thinking about it, then read a good answer right off of the sheet in front of you
Reading some stuff on this website has been super helpful, but has also made me more anxious. Especially with the blacklisting stuff and how HR people seem so judgemental.
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