<p>S has a phone interview for an engineering internship on Monday. He is a freshman. I don't know that he is looking for any advice from me (!), but what advice would you offer?</p>
<p>The letter requesting the interview says that this is not a technical interview, but more of a getting to know him thing.</p>
<p>Even though it is not a "technical" interview, he should know enough about the company and specific job/project (if possible) to ask a couple of intelligent questions about them.</p>
<p>He should be prepared for those types of questions that sometimes catch us up short: "Tell me about yourself." "What are your strengths/weaknesses?" "Why do you want this job?" etc.</p>
<p>Before his interview, He should read over the company's web site. He also should do his best to talk to previous interns to find out about their experiences. The career services dept. at his college or the engineering company should be able to help him with this.</p>
<p>Someone else put me onto this: tell him to have a glass of water nearby. Helps combat attacks of nervous "dry mouth". Good luck to him.</p>
<p>Thanks for the reminders!</p>
<p>l.Prepare a few questions about them to ask at the end of the interview. They may or may not invite questions. If they don't, inject and say before signing off,
may I ask a few questions? Do NOT ask the kinds of questions that make them look bad or put them on the defensive, in other words, don't ask them about their company's weak or vulnerable spots, which the website reading should illuminate.</p>
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<li><p>I assume there's a definite time set for the interview. Have your son sit in a quiet place; background noise is very bad. He can ask his roommate for the privacy of the room at that hour. Lock the door so friends don't stop by and yell out requests or greeting during the time; it'll distract him and make him not look as well as he wants to.</p></li>
<li><p>Have his own copy of his resume sitting in front of himself so he can refer to times and dates, if needed.</p></li>
<li><p>If he feels better and has a trusted friend or girlfriend WHO AGREES TO STAY SILENT, it's sometimes supportive to have a friend in the room. Then, after the interveiw, friend can say how he sounded. I sit through my h's phone interviews and on occasion pass him a note, like "slow down" or "smile"
But we've known each other a long time; only do this if your son has a trusted friend who can play this role. </p></li>
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<p>If anything comes up that is a great surprise during the interview that the company can't see, do mention it and ask to reschedule. I'm talking about a firedrill, or huge intrusion only.
My H once had a phone interview WHILE MY YOUNGEST WAS TAKEN OUT TO AN AMBULANCE; (I was handling it; he had swallowed a coin...). When he explained to the interviewers that this was occurring, because there were sirens and so on, they probably wondered why he didn't just end the interview; sounded uncaring. If it's something huge happening, say so and reschedule rather than continue wth wild distractions occurring. </p>
<p>P.S. My H didn't want that job; they didn't offer it; my son grew up fine. In fact, S wants to work on an ambulance next year and is training that way.</p>
<p>Good luck on the interview.</p>
<p>oh--one more. If he can do this, at the beginning of the interview, ask for everyone's name and try to call someone by name during the interview (anyone). That will be unusual and impress them; most wouldn't think to do this. It comes naturally during a personal interview, but only a very tuned-in person would think to notice, jot down (keep pencil/paper nearby) and USE a name during a phone interview.</p>
<p>Remember that the goal of tghe interview is to get to the next level. After it's over, don't worry if a particular thing was said wrong. It's the whole package they're listening for. </p>
<p>It's okay to ask (if they don't say so), what is their process or timeframe, so that by the time you hang up you'll know whether you're waiting for days or weeks to hear; if there are other candidates etc. Good interviewers should include this already, but if not, he doesn't want to hang eup and then wonder, "what is the next step?
One way to elicit this from them is to ask, "Is there anything you might tell me about your company's process for making this decision" orsomething like that.</p>
<p>Be prepared to present qualifications in new ways. They have his resume already. Expect to be asked about something specific on the resume and "tell more about it." That indicates what they found unusual or interesting.</p>
<p>From that, be ready to say what he can BRING to this company. Most everyplace wants a positive person who will contribute in some way. That's not bragging, instead it demonstrates respect to them to say, "My experience in xyz project demonstrates that I might be able to add xyz skill to your organization. "</p>
<p>They often ask a question that invites you to "dis" yourself; for example, "What are you strong and weak points." Be prepared with 3 strongpoints and l weakpoint that isn't going to be killer to them. For example, the classic weakpoint is "I prepare too much." It's so trite that my H says, "Of course, the classic weakpoint that the books say I should tell you is, "I prepare too much" but in reality, my weakpoint is...(and knowing they have a team ready to work with him..) I don't always welcome working alone 40 hours per week, and sometimes need the energy of teammates." You get the idea. The research on the web should tell him some area that could be his honest weakpoint (don't lie) but CHOOSE ONE that the life in that company will be able to tolerate.</p>
<p>just reread your post; they say it's not a technical interview, but getting-to-know.
So, in that case, be prepared to have a few true stories that demonstrate his personal qualities of character. If he's a humorous team player, perhaps have a recent anecdote that shows it, and say, when they ask something like "what would we remember about you if we met you...be ready to say "I'm a team player, for example...{and then tell the story)"</p>
<p>sorry to be long. speaking of long, if he tends to talk long, remind himself not to talk too long on any one question. Make one clear point to answer their question, strengthen it with a story or example, and then STOP so they can ask the rest of their questions.</p>
<p>They'll likely be on speaker phone, so some will sound tinny or distant; don't worry about that.</p>
<p>After the initial greetings, try to relax, be himself, just kick back and relate to them. Obviously they want someone they can imagine in the same workspace with them, since they want a get-to-know interview. Sometimes, however, whatis described one way can change..so be ready for a technical question here or there.</p>
<p>Thanks so much. You are all very generous. </p>
<p>I suspect that he IS over preparing, Paying3! And may come off a little stilted as a result. </p>
<p>His take on the "major weakness" question: that he should not expect that all of his team mates have the same exceedingly high expectations and standards that he does. (He's learning that in spades with several engineering team projects.)</p>
<p>How does that come off sounding? It's true, but so would many other responses be true. (Such as: I'm a slob and am just now learning not to procrastinate. I won't suggest he go that route!)</p>
<p>Mafool, whatever is his answer to "what are your weaknesses", he should (1) answer the question, followed immediately by (2) turn it into a positive. </p>
<p>Example answer: "I tend to be a too much of a perfectionist, and am learning that often it is more beneficial to allow others to explore alternative ideas and solutions, because even if they lead to a less than perfect outcome on a specific part of a project, collaboration leads to a far superior overall end result". </p>
<p>That's way too wordy of course but that's sort of the idea...he should be ready with a "real life" example, because someone might follow up with "give us an example of exactly how you've experienced that"...(this is how interviewers separate "real" people vs. those who have merely memorized all the best-selling interview books).</p>
<p>He should close the discussion asking what are the next steps, if they haven't outlined the next steps. Also, he should send his thank you letter (can be in email) following the interview.</p>
<p>Good advice above. My only other one is the Golden Rule of Being Interviewed: Never complain about anything. Don't complain about former jobs. Don't complain about former bosses. Don't complain about your school. Don't. Complain. About. Anything. Complaining in an interview is a 100% absolute guaranteed way to not get to the next level.</p>
<p>Have shared all of your advice with son, but must admit that I have not mentioned CC! (THAT would be the kiss of death.) He is surprisingly open to our suggestions, though HE thinks that I remembered all of them. Sorry, folks, for not giving credit where it is due.</p>
<p>I think that S is taking this VERY seriously, because 1.) this firm is a Big Deal, and 2.) He is a freshman and did not expect that an opportunity such as this would come his way so soon without parental connections, which we do not have.</p>
<p>So, thanks again!</p>
<p>The interviewer has set the interview for next Monday. I've recently learned that the company in question (a Fortune 400) uses a lot of "psychological" questions, such as "what does Team mean?" "are you happy with your work?" --probably misquoted, but this comes from someone who was iterviewed for a "real job" last year. </p>
<p>Should be interesting.</p>