<p>Did anyone else have a phone interview? I did, since my interviewer came from the other side of the state. I hated it! I tried to say all the right things, and make my words come out intelligently, but instead I couldn’t express myself well and cut him off a few times by accident. Furthermore, all he did was go “mmm” and grunt to my answers, so I don’t have any assessment to how well I did. Did anyone else have this experience?</p>
<p>Its completely alright. I’m an international and had a skype interview without the webcam function so I could not see the facial expressions of my interviewer and on occasion, thinking that she was posing me a question when she was merely elaborating on a point, did cut her off as well. But it was perfectly normal, and we just laughed it off when that happened. I’m sure your interviewer understands that it is difficult to perceive and anticipate what someone on the other side of the line is about to say over the phone. Also, my interviewer warned me in advance that any silences on her part would be due to her writing down what I said so I guess that would explain the ‘mm’ and grunts you exprienced- he/she was probably just taking notes.</p>
<p>I had a wonderful interview with a great woman. I think the interview is dependent mostly on the interviewer. I do agree that the phone makes the interview harder, but it does so for both sides, and a little understanding helps the whole situation work out.</p>
<p>It’s very hard to communicate “I’m listening” over the phone, and when I have done work over the phone I also make occasionall “mmhmm” sounds to let the party on the other line know that I’m still there and listening. In real life, you have a lot more cues like eye contact, facial expression, and body language.</p>
<p>If you prepared for your interview and did your best, I think you can only assume your interview went well.</p>
<p>My phone interview was awesome. I think it is way easier to talk to adults than people my age, anyways. The guy went to the GSB back in the 60’s and was a physics undergrad. He was so chill and I could tell it would be a great conversation when he cracked jokes about liberal arts majors.</p>
<p>At the end, he told me UChicago needed students like me. He also said, “I sure as hell hope you turn everyone else down.”</p>
<p>It made me feel really good, but still.</p>
<p>I too had a Skype interview without a webcam. It was awesome though. There were no uncomfortable silences whatsoever. As fastfood says it depends upon the interviewer I guess. We spoke for over an hour.</p>