Second phone interview... Any advice?

On Thursday I have my second phone interview, my first interview went better than I could have ever expected, I have read almost every interview question out there and have an idea of how I would answer them.

This position is for an SAP trainer, this company is aware that I don't have SAP experience, however I have stressed that I am smart (when I  graduated with my masters I had a 4.0 gpa) and that I am a quick learner. I have reviewed the SAP system as much as I can but without having the program in front of me to play around with its hard to retain the information.

So for any HR professionals or those who have been though this, any advice?

I dont know what SAP is but for phone interviews in general Id suggest making a paper of notes with positive buzzwords (energetic, motivated, focused, etc) and talking points about why you think youre qualified for the job.

Its good to have something in front of you so there are no awkward silences. Even if you get nervous and freeze up, youll have things right there to say.

Good luck!

SAP stands for Systems, Applications, and Products. Its the leading enterprise resource planning (ERP) software product capable of integrating multiple business applications, with each application representing a specific business area.  These applications update and process transactions in real time mode.  It has the ability to be configured to meets the needs of the business.

Too many suggestions but some that really come to mind.  Try to provide consie answers and when you've answered the question, dont feel the need to keep talking.  Sometimes the interviewer is absorbing your reply and avoid the temptation to fill silence. 

Sometimes interviewers focus on their concerns - dont be thrown by it since theyre often dont spend time at all addressing things their comfortable about. Dont take it as a reflection of their take on you.

Think of an example in which youve had to learn something quickly and done so effectively to provide as back up in your confidence in your ability to do so.

Be prepared to explain why you'd be a good trainer.

If asked if you have questions, dont address ones that affect you yet - phone interviews just mean your a candidate.  Face to face means your a potential employee and a better time to ask about specifics like benefits, etc.  Right now its all about them and theyre not concerned yet about your concerns yet.  Appropriate questions might be when do they plan to make a decision on the position, when do want the position filled - at this point, its still all about them.

Close strong - let them know of youre very interested in the position and working for their company.  This is a highly underrated aspect and often neglected part on of phone interviews - employers love people who want really want the job). 

Not to be brought up in conversation but one of the better bits of advice is mindset - you bring no problems, you make no  problems and you are on board to solve their problems.  Perfect employee!

Good luck :D

Sounds stupid but true: Smile while you talk because you can really tell when someone is smiling on the phone. It shows you're happy to be talking to them and excited about the opportunity.

Smiling while you talk on the phone makes you feel more cheerful so you sound that way. You will feel more comfortable even thought the situation is not so comfie.

I use a system called SAP at work, so I guess it's what you're talking about. If you have any questions about it (provided were talking about the same thing) I can try answer them. 

Explain how being a quick learner will help their company not only on the SAP training but getting up to speed on other things.  Let them know that your training experience will benefit their company by x,y, & z.  i.e. i have done training before at xyz company and it helped solve one of their problems related to customers or whatever.  Research the company as much as possible and relate your education and/or training to how it will be beneficial for them to hire you.  good luck

More advice that might sound silly but really works--

1. Don't do the interview in your pjs.  You'll sound as sloppy and casual as you look.  Some people even say dress like you're getting interviewed in person, which may be a bit much, but definitely look nice.

2. Stand up.  Even walk around.  It'll keep your energy up and burn off a bit of nervousness.

Not silly advice:

3.  Remember that, while you don't want to come off as over the top, you do want to make sure that your energy and enthusiasm come through over the phone.  Without the information gained through nonverbal cues (smiling, head nodding, body posture) it can be difficult for both you and the search committee to know how interested the other party is.  So don't feel silly explicitly telling them, "This opportunity sounds really exciting" or "I'm really interested in this position." 

4.  At the end of the interview, do not hesitate to ask them what the next steps are and when you should hear from them again. Search committees have a timeline in mind, but they may forget to share it with you, and knowing (for example) that it'll be a week before they can move on with the search can save you an agonizing week of waiting.  It also shows that you're really interested in the position.

Good luck!

Thanks everyone for the advice I have made lists and have thought about how I can incorporate all of this into my interview!