I have a phone interview scheduled for Monday at 11. I figure I should probably take it on a land line if possible. problem is, i can't think of many people I know who have land lines (i haven't in about 8 years). I've taken some unexpected interview calls on my cell. I get pretty good reception at my house, but I'm very interested in this job and would hate for there to be any unexpected phone issues.

Does anyone know if, as an alum, I could take it at the NCSU career center? I'll give them a call first thing Monday morning to ask them. But I figured someone here may know. Or may even work there.

I'll ask some friends as well. But i'm not too confident in anyone having anything other than their cell. Any other suggestions?

8/29/2010 3:25:09 AM

1-800-COLLECT?

8/29/2010 3:46:21 AM

I imagine most departments have landlines as well as professors offices. Is there a prof you had a few classes with or your old advisory or old department secretary you could contact from whatever department you were in? Might be a decent back up option if the career center is a no go.

Honestly I'd probably stick to my own cell phone. I've done interviews that way before and had no problems, and being in a comfortable environment never hurts for interviews. I don't know if it would help or show through in a phone interview. But given the option of at home in a quiet room with no distractions sitting at the dining room table on a cell phone, or on a land line in a career center that may be buzzing with students & staff, I'd go for the home field advantage personally.

Also, do you live in an apartment or condo or anything with an office where they might let a resident use their land line?

[Edited on August 29, 2010 at 5:16 AM. Reason : .]

8/29/2010 5:15:53 AM

Why not use your cell phone? My phone interview was somewhat of a surprise, and I was out walking to the mailbox at my apartment complex. After talking with the guy for a minute, he picked up on the fact that I was outside and asked about it. I told him I had been to check the mail. He just laughed and said "yeah, I'm out with my dogs right now, it's cool."

I got the job.

8/29/2010 6:01:35 AM

google call phone

[Edited on August 29, 2010 at 10:13 AM. Reason : in all honesty, i've never tried it...]

8/29/2010 10:12:43 AM

Cell phones are pretty reliable these days.....unless you have boost mobile or something just use your cell phone.

I have read and experienced that is better to stand during a phone interview anyway....you sound more alert and energetic. That is going to be hard to do on a random landline. My last one I took in my bedroom pretty much pacing the floor, on my cell, and got the job.

8/29/2010 10:19:12 AM

why not just buy a skype credit or two?

8/29/2010 12:25:20 PM

^lol, wut

8/29/2010 12:33:25 PM

Just go somewhere where your cell phone gets lots of good reception and you'll be fine. Tell homebody that is giving your interview that you are on a cell phone... he'll understand if you cut out.

8/29/2010 2:33:53 PM

thanks for the suggestions.

I'll probably use my cell phone and take it at my house. There are a couple of odd spots I don't get great reception in, but it's good for the most part. And just in case there is a problem, a friend has a phone line for her house alarm that I can plug a phone into if need be.

thanks again

8/29/2010 3:40:45 PM

gl!

let us know if you get the job

8/29/2010 6:24:54 PM

this worked out fine. Won't know about an in-person interview until later this week. I just spoke to an HR person, the hiring manager will decide who to bring in or not based on her notes. But it seemed to go very well. We talked for about 40 minutes or so, which is a good bit for a phone interview that's meant to weed out candidates in my experience.

8/30/2010 12:52:08 PM

Land Lines are becoming obsolete

We have two in my office and only use them in emergencies

8/30/2010 3:28:33 PM

There are phones in these things on campus: http://oit.ncsu.edu/flyspace

too late - but good to know for the future

[Edited on August 30, 2010 at 10:22 PM. Reason : late]

8/30/2010 10:20:03 PM