Phone interview for Job

I really hope they don't plan on paying me dirt pay because I don't have a ton of experience because I'll be moving a state away from my whole family--and since Kanab, UT has NO apartments--I'd have to get a house, which I know costs a lot! I'm trying to figure out how much I'd be paying a month based on a couple different houses I like--but I still don't have an exact number at how much I'll need. So I'm not sure what to say if they ask me how much I need to be making...with a house, health insurance, car insurance...I'd probably need a good amount!

Well I try to do some estimates from sites on the internet, but I can't get exact numbers because I don't have all the information on the houses I'm looking at that insurance companies ask for during the quote questions.

That is difficult to know. I wonder if Mylot readers could help you figure that out. Maybe someone lives near there.

I am defeniatly going to have my notebook with me when the woman calls, I'll also have a glass of water at the ready! lol. How do you tell what side a birds stomach is on? O_o It moves?? I didn't know that! lol. But at least i have SOME experience with birds. :D I defeniatly am good at being very gentle with fragile birds-babies and adults. Thank you very much! :)

Thanks! :D Your response is full of confidence boosters! :P hehe I defeniatly have a love for all animals, especially all the ones they keep at the sanctuary. I'm debating whether or not to mention (if it some how comes up) that I would probably want to spend a lot of extra time (not duing my work hours) with the other animals--they have horses, dogs, cats, sheep, pigs...omg I love all those animals! lol

TheCatLady makes some great points. I agree wholeheartedly - they wouldn't be interviewing you if they didn't feel you already possess what you need to do this job. Now you have to dig deep inside yourself to portray and express to them the confidence YOU have in YOU. One great thing: the phone can be easier than in person. You can have your notebook there for yourself, be comfortable in your own space and not have to worry about them sizing up your appearance/expressions, etc. Take some time to remind yourself how YOU know you are qualified and fully capable of this job. It's not always about how much experience you've had. If you have a love for animals and a bird caregiver is what they need, they'll train you in whatever you need to know. Your natural sense of caring will shine through if you set aside the fears you have about your ability to "know it all" and do the job. When I interview it's helpful for me to take some time prior to the scheduled meeting and focus on the "high points" of what I bring to the table, so to speak. What stands out to you in your own knowledge and experience with birds? Even if it was finding information you needed to learn - that shows incentive and the ability to independently problem solve. These are key to any position - AND provide a great talking point when they ask you about past experience, knowledge, history, or even what you feel you can bring to the position. Know these things about yourself...and be comfortable OWNING who and what you are. Surely you feel you have something to offer them.....it doesn't have to be perfect, it just has to be YOU. Be confident in knowing they have already seen something in you they liked. The rest comes with the position......just rest in who you are and believe in yourself. Maybe even write a mantra on top of the page with your notes, so you can practice it between now and then and see it on your page while you talk with the interviewer. Just a one line statement that feels powerful to you when you think about having/doing this job and what you bring to it. That can be very empowering without being a big deal and/or stressful in preparation. Good luck! Let us all know how you make out.....

I'm interested in an elaboration on the notion that (your) birds do puzzles. Explain, that sounds intriguing. dr...

I don't konw...when they bite it HURTS...but my sister has a bird and it doesn't seem that bad. But I'm sure I'd be doing more than just treating the birds at the sanctury like pets...but I think it'd be really fun playing with them (they like to do puzzles and play with toys) hehe

Well my birds don't do puzzles, I dont own any of the large parrot birds. But some parrots like to do those little games for babies (like, putting the correct piece in the right shape on the board) and stuff like that. Birds are really smart animals.

well, no, you have some bird experience, write down all the facts, and then when you talk to them, you have them right in front of you - a phone interview means you can have a "crib sheet." Write down all the bird experience you have and that'll probably help you with the interview - hey - you get the job, you'll get better hours and outta the house... maybe you should write up some of your baby bird stories for your rescue sites...

Yeah, I have a notebook paper full of notes :P I'm trying to keep it too one page so the interviewer won't hear me flipping through pages! lol That's a good idea!! We had a duck we aged from an egg, I could write about him :D Thanks Elic!

Yeah..that's something I was thinking of and it certainly doesn't help my confidence level. All that says to me is they're stuck with me...

That's almost what I was thinking. To write possible questions and then answer the question.Great idea to have a friend help with the questions.

I actually have a notebook that I have started making notes in lol. First I wrote down all my experience related to the job...I'm going to write questions and answers after that. Any examples of the questions I might be ask, are there any general ones that are ALWAYS asked? I'm going to try and get my parents and my older sis + her husband to help me :D Thanks!!

Maybe they are tired of all my emails and applications flying at them lol. It's good that I don't have to worry about experience so much now that a couple people said experience isn't the most important thing. I'm just going to try and be as friendly and positive as I can. I'll be working with animals and people, so being a cheerful person is probably very important to them!:) Thanks ala!! :D

Personally, I wouldn't ask. It might give the caller you are desperate for the job. Being too anxious isn't always a good thing!

I am desperate for the job lol. But I didn't ask. I bet she could tell how nervous I was the whole time though.

I don't think I have enough experience to sell myself to anyone lol :P But it defeniatly is comforting that so many people are saying that the fact I don't have a ton of experience could be a good thing. Should I ask "how'd I do?" at the end of the interview, or is that innappropriate?

I think she could tell how nervous I was without me having to say it :P lol. Now I have two weeks to wait before I hear anything--waiting really sucks! :P lol

First, thanks for the example questions! I wrote them all down :P lol So getting a phone interview would be better than getting a face to face interview--are they saved for people the company plans on hiring over others? Thanks!! I'll let everyone here know how it does when it's finally over and I stop torturing myself! lol

Yeah, I'll defeniatly be nervous-I just hope the woman won't be able to tell over the phone lol. I hope my voice doesn't get all squeaky :P lol. Thanks hotsummer!!!

Thank you prinzcy! :) I defeniatly will not lie! I am a terrible liar, and very paranoid. I would worry forever that it would come back to haunt me! lol. I'm pretty honest anyways, I never lie to strangers ;P LOL.

Yeah, I guess talking to someone over the phone is a lot easier than driving 6 hours for an interview ;P lol. But that still doesn't make me LIKE talking on the phone :P I don't even like talking to friends over the phone lol. I'll probably lock myself in my room for some peace and quiet and it might make me a little less nervous on the phone. Thanks jules!

Thank you austen :D I'm defeniatly going to try and build up my confidence from now until the call! hehe.