Anyone else hate First Round phone screens?

What I really hate is a lack of first rounds.

I hate talking on the phone in general. Let alone interviewing for a job.

Dude at least for banking you have mostly fit questions for 1st round interview. I have upcoming 1st round with one of the MBB via PHONE and I have no idea how I'm gonna do the math or "may I take a moment to structure my thoughts" without creating awkward silence.

Honestly I have phone interviews in general. You can't see them so there's no way of picking up non-verbal cues, they can't see you so there's no body language point!!!!!

From my experience, I think it's best not to prepare for phone interviews. Other than knowing about the firm your talking to, it's mostly fit and about you. With that said, they suck, because any silence is much more awkward on the phone.

I had phone screens with about 6 BBs (including regional offices and HQ) and every single one has had technical questions and some definitely caught me off guard.

Then again, I am non-target with prior IB internships. This is for SA.

I literally close my eyes and pretend I'm in the same room. No clue if this would work for others, but it certainly did for me. Oh, and use a bluetooth headset.

who would like them.. everyone hates interviews!! i personally prefer phone interviews though.

Good luck making further progress if you can't get past the phone screen-- It should be a given.

• Have your story down
• Have reference materials at hand -- accounting & valuation
• Ask several genuine questions
• Thank interviewer(s) for their time and ask what the next step in the process is

For the most part all IB phone interviews are structured essentially the same way. You come across the same questions from bank to bank. The more interviews you have under your belt, the better you are at "selling" yourself

As ridiculous as it sounds always smile and look into a mirror while interviewing on the telephone, it helps tremendously, and you come off more enthusiastic.

Stand up, speak slightly louder and articulate. It will make you seem a lot more confident. As a BB MD once told me, Speak with "gravitas".

But to the OP, I am not a fan of phone interviews either, but it is necessary.

I hate interview process in general. At big companies it's always first a phone screen via a recruiter. The recruiters get paid commission on hires. Depending if they are a recruiting firm or a in house recruiter your interview may be slightly different. Usually though they have no technical knowledge so they just ask general fit/background questions. If you sound smart and enthusiastic they'll setup an onsite interview or phone screen with a hiring manager soon.

They are pretty easy I've only failed a couple but still an annoyance, since it's still 30 minutes of time talking to a nobody.