Need some suggestions on telephonic interview.

[Vicky Joshi]

Hi All,
I have an telephonic interview scheduled next week.This is the first time i am giving a telephonic interview.The job profile is on java which includes jsp,servlets,ejb.So, please give me some suggestions on what they may ask in interview and how i need to prepare for it.


Thanks,
Vicky

[Arjun Shastry]

Almost same questions you will be asked if you appear for in-person interview.The disadvantage of telephonic interview is if you don't use precise words you can't explain interviewer with paper and pencil.So you have to be cautious.

[Rahul Bhattacharjee]

Core java is a must , even if they have said that they will ask questions from jsp , servlets and ejb.

If you have less time then study properly core java and study the FAQ's for other topics.

[Sandeep Awasthi]

As Arjun said, it's same as in person interview. Few interviewers try to ask questions little faster in telephonic interview(depends on interviewer). It's matter of facing few telephonic interviews, then you can handle it very easily. Telephonic interviews last around 30 mins to 50 mins depending on how you are performing in interview. Do not be nervous. Understand question properly and then answer. Attend interview from the place where there will be no background noise and also important is place from you can 100% concentrate on interivew. If you do not understand question properly, get it clarified before answering.

[Raghavan Muthu]

Hello Vicky Joshi ,

Welcome to JavaRanch!

I would suggest you to

Just brush up the Core Java aspects like Strings, Threads (if you have worked), Exceptions, a bit of collections (HashMap, ArrayList)etc as they might not have been expliclity told as a part of interview (as Rahul said).

In terms of Servlets, have a clear idea on the Servlet's Life Cycle and how you use the Servlets. Be aware of atleast what is a Filter, What is a Listener and how and when they are used.

In terms of JSPs, what are JSPs and why they are used, what happens during the compilation and execution phases of JSP, Scopes available in JSP, static and dynamic includes etc

For both Servlets and JSPs, how about forwarding the requests

Be clear about the web.xml syntax as soem questions may be asked.

Last but not the least, be sure to get your question correctly. If you lack on that part, the chances are less to impress the interviewer.

Hope these may help you!

Good luck!

[Vicky Joshi]

Hi All,
Thanks for your replies.Rahul, they have not said that they will ask questions on EJB,JSP,Servlets but the work is on these.I dont know what questions they wil ask me.So if any of you had similar experience or know any thing or any websites where in i can refer some topics please suggest me and also do they ask only technical questions or even aptitude in telephonic interview?.Please suggest me and what i need to answer if they ask me the expected salary and by the way i am fresher.I need your suggestions so please help me out.

Thanks,
Vicky

[Raghavan Muthu]

As mostly the telelphonic interview would happen on "technical" skill sets, i dont presume the aptitude or attitude questions may likely to be asked.

But what kind of round you have been told?

Moreover, the salary negotiation part would happen ONLY and AFTER you are through with this telephonic interview. That part of interview would definitely by conducted by HR and am sure you would most likely to be called for appearing in person. The perons handling the technical interivew will not get involved in that.

[Rahul Bhattacharjee]

Hi Vicky Joshi ,

You can see the first post by Raghavan Muthu.Those are the most expected questions for telephonic interview.It very unlikely that they would ask aptitude and reasoning in telephone.

Generally telephonic interviews are conducted for screening candidates.
All the best.

[Srikanth Basa]

Vicky

1. Choose a good location where there is no disturbance and from where you receive the cellphone signal properly.

2. Don't get puzzled if the interviewer asks questions that you were not expecting. Some companies may ask you to solve puzzles, answer data structure or algorithms related questions all over phone. So keep a pen and paper available with you.

3. If you are asked to solve logical problems, think aloud. This makes the interviewer know how you think and makes your chances bright.

4. Listen to the questions completely before responding.

[Raghavan Muthu]

Originally posted by Srikanth Basavaraju:
Vicky

1. Choose a good location where there is no disturbance and from where you receive the cellphone signal properly.

2. Don't get puzzled if the interviewer asks questions that you were not expecting. Some companies may ask you to solve puzzles, answer data structure or algorithms related questions all over phone. So keep a pen and paper available with you.

Well said. Good points to be taken care! But keeping a pen and paper is dependent on the individuals.

Good luck!

[Sandip Sankeshwar]

1]Preferably choose night time so less traffic disturbance.
I recently gave one telephonic interview and it went well.
Cheers

[Jeanne Boyarsky]

I agree with the above points. I just want to add that a short phone interview doesn't mean they don't like you. I do a 30 minute or less phone interview. I rarely use the full 30 minutes. 15-20 minutes is average although I've done a few 10-15 minute ones. And some of those people we brought it for an onsite. If someone is really good, it is apparent quickly.

The goal of a phone interview is to see whether you should be brought in for an onsite interview. If you live far from the company, you are more likely to have an in depth phone interview.

[Sandeep Awasthi]

1)Few companies do full technical interview over phone and in personal interview, they do verification technical round ( which is very short ).
2) Other companies do screening on phone and full technical interivew in person. Depends on company.

So if they do just screening on phone, then it is shorter ( 15-20 mins).
If they do full interview on phone and later on verification in personal interview, then telephonic interview goes upto 50 mins or an hour too.
Most of my telephonic interviews were full telephonic and verification round in personal interview. I also had screening on phone and full technical interview in person.

It depends on company how they want to do it.

[Vicky Joshi]

Originally posted by Rajesh Thakare:
If they do just screening on phone, then it is shorter ( 15-20 mins).

Hi All,
Thanks for all of your suggestions.Its really helpful.Rajesh, what exactly screening is? because the interviewer has told me he wants to talk with me before he calls me for the onsite interview.

Thanks,
Vicky

[Sandeep Awasthi]

Screening is they will ask you few technical questions just to get feel of candidate so that they can shortlist the candidates before onsite interivews. Like one company asked me in screening what is Collections in Java, what is xml, how MVC is implements in struts etc. (basic questions).

Other company asked me few questions and some of them were design questions. 15 mins screening before they called up me onsite for detail interview.

But even if it is screening, I will suggest you to do complete preparation. You never know what question may be asked.

All the best.

[Vicky Joshi]

Hi Rajesh,
Thanks for the reply.Well, i have completed SCJP,SWCWD and preparing for SCBCD but i have not worked in struts and xml.If the interviewer asks questions about these topics what i need to tell him?.


Thanks,
Vicky

[Sandeep Awasthi]

Questions will be asked to you on what you have written in your resume.

[Vicky Joshi]

Hi All,
Thanks Rajesh and everybody for your suggestions.If anybody know some more details please suggest me.


Thanks,
Vicky