Phone interview - awkward start

[Anonymous]

I had a phone interview for a job I am very interested in -- but I'm worried I didn't do as well as I could have. The earliest I'd hear back would be early January, so I'll be worrying about this call for the next two weeks!

I had to take the call from my office (as opposed to doing it offsite), and I think I was a bit stilted and awkward b/c I was worried about co-workers overhearing me. I thought my answers didn't really sound smooth at first. Ultimately, things got more natural and we wound up talking for about 50 minutes.

Does anyone have any words of wisdom as I wait this out? Like, it must be a good sign that this busy new-potential-boss spent 50 minutes on the call (even if I sounded stilted at first)…or is that overly optimistic? Any thoughts?

[Anonymous]

I'll let others chime in but I don't know of a lot of phone interviews that last almost an hour. I'd say that's a good sign in and of itself. Make sure you send a thorough and thoughtful thank you.

[Anonymous]

I interview people regularly. It's totally normal for people to start out nervous and warm up as we go along.

[Anonymous]

I would never to the phone interview in the office. That is what cell phones are for.

[Anonymous]

OP, the results rarely depend on how you think the interview went. There are so many variables at play that I wouldn't give it a second thought. I interview on the phone quite regularly in hopes of promotion, so practice makes perfect. Or I hope it will. It worked before, and I thought I did quite poorly compared to other times when I was rejected.

Anyway, send a thoughtful thank you note and try your best to forget about it. You learned your lesson: Don't interview at the office. Other than that it's out of your hands now. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would never to the phone interview in the office. That is what cell phones are for.

Or conference rooms, if you can "steal" one.

I suspect the OP has a closed door office though.