Prepare to talk

Phone interviews can seem daunting, but they don't have to be.

Whether it's best to have the interview in pajamas or a suit is personal preference, said Katie Mantooth, career counselor at Career Development Services. But there are strategies for success.

Mantooth said one strategy is to have everything that may be needed on hand for the interview, including the job description, resume and cover letter.

"The advantage you have is you can have a computer," Mantooth said.

She said in interviews conducted by a panel, the organization's staff list could be used to keep track of who is speaking.

"I've even had people who have cut out either pictures or just name cards to put in front of them if they know there is a panel on the other end so they kind of can visually act like they are addressing different people, and the reminders have the name cues to be able to use someone's name when they've asked you a question," Mantooth said.

In addition, she said sitting in a quiet spot is helpful.

"I've had students who get a phone call from an unknown number, and you pick it up while you are walking down the street," she said. "Well, the Tiger Transit is going by and you can't hear anybody. And even though it may just be to set up an interview, you want it to be in your best light."

Another recommendation for phone interviews is to find a landline and turn off the cellphone.

"There is almost guaranteed better clarity in the call and no risk of the call being dropped," Mantooth said.

Mantooth said landlines are available in the CDS office in Mary Martin Hall for students to reserve for an interview.

"However, if a student doesn't have access to a landline, it certainly isn't a deal breaker or anything," Mantooth said. "I just know that in a job search, I want to eliminate every challenge present, and finding a landline on a college campus is still a pretty easy fix."

One question to expect regardless of the interview format is the standard, "tell me about yourself."

"They want to know with that question what I need to know about you to want to hire you," Mantooth said. "It's the personal traits that make you fit for the company and the skills that make you prepared for that job that you're interviewing for."

Interviewees should also expect to be asked to describe their strengths and weaknesses, she said.

For weaknesses, Mantooth said to avoid deal breakers, like consistently being late, but not to give "the generic, cheesy, it's really a positive, like, 'I can't say no' or 'I'm a perfectionist.'"

To practice, students can set up mock interviews at the CDS office.