10 Ways to Ace a Phone Interview

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There are a few questions everyone hates, and I want to know WHY anyone asks these stupid questions, and what is an acceptable (and preferably honest) answer?
At the end of the day the interview is really about 2 people, 2 questions, one legitimate question per person--and here they are:
Applicant wants to know #1 "WHY would anyone in my industry want to work HERE?" and the
Employer wants to know 2. "Why should I hire you?"
These are fair questions, and are both extensions of "What is in it for me?". and every question in the interview will fall into one of these categories. Naturally, I as an Applicant cannot possibly answer #2 until Employer answers #1. The best research and search tools usually fails to uncover a good answer for #1, and it is the type of question you can only ask in person. If the Employer is serious about hiring someone, they should be able to answer this question, and if they cannot...they are not serious.
There are 16.5M unemployed or underemployed IT people who could do this job, and none of them want to...and that is a problem that goes all the way to the top of the organization. SO WHY DOES EVERY EMPLOYER ASK ME WHY I WANT TO WORK HERE? Without a reason, I don't. Should I just treat it as Question #2 and answer it that way? Your suggestions would be appreciated.

Glen Sorense of OH 11:23AM June 17, 2011

One bit I've heard and rarely see is to stand up during the interview, rather than slumped in a chair. You'll be more attentive and sound more forward.

Andy Lester of IL 5:59PM June 01, 2011

As an employer, my employees must be able to communicate clearly and succintly without hesitation to clients. My interviewee may have all the right quality answers, but if they constantly use "like", y'know', 'totally', or speak in a clipped condescending tone, or with a lot of 'uhhh' type pauses, They drop like a rock in the ocean on my want-to-hire list.

Bill of VA 12:24PM June 01, 2011

Great info for phone interviews. I especially liked tip #5, about asking questions. This is important for any type of interview too, not just phone interviews specifically. We compiled a list of the types of questions to ask in an interview on our website, here http://www.snellingnj.com/how-to-become-a-proactive-interviewee/. Hope this helps any interviewees out there!

Emily Carter of NJ 3:33PM May 31, 2011

This is kind of a weird tip but it's really worked for me. Look in a mirror while your talking on the phone (but don't use a bathroom mirror, they may be able to hear the echo of being in a bathroom). Seeing a familiar face can really make you less nervous. It also makes you more aware of your facial expressions, which surprisingly, can dictate the tone of your voice.

James of IL 10:47AM May 31, 2011

One suggestion a recruiter told me was to stand up when doing the interview. Makes you sound more enthusiastic, supposedly. [A recent telephone interviewer told me to sit down-- they were combining the first and second interview into one 2 hr interview].
A second suggestion was to pitch the voice higher-- after years of trying to make women's voices lower to sound mature, one reaches the age where it must be pitched up.

Pam of AK 2:45PM May 30, 2011