Posts Tagged ‘phone interview’

Ring! Ring! This is an employer calling… advice for a phone interview

Monday, April 14th, 2008

The telephone interview or screening call is becoming more and more popular and many students will be faced with a telephone interview during their job search.  A phone interview has many advantages for both the employer and the interviewee, but some disadvantages as well.  An employer can conduct a phone interview rather quickly, the cost is less, and the list of questions can be standardized.  You will be able to keep in front of you a record of your achievements, i.e. a resume, and also a cheat sheet of some other details you would like to talk about, including the job description and information on the company.

You are unlikely to win a job offer from a phone interview, so you goal is to secure an in-person interview with someone who has the authority to make a hiring decision.  Approach the call with that attitude.  If you recieve a “surprise” phone call from an employer when you are not prepared, professionally ask to reschedule and confirm a date and time. 

Before the phone interview gather:

  • A pen, paper, and calculator
  • Information regarding the position, company, industry, etc
  • A list of accomplishments including your resume and “cheat sheet” with any additional personal accompliments you would like to include
  • A short list of questions about the job
  • Your calendar
  • A glass of water

    • Make sure you have made all resonable changes to your environment to take away any distractions.  Turn off all TV’s, computers, cell phones, etc. and let anyone else in the area know what you are doing and ask not to be distrubed.
     
    During the call:

  • Do not use speakerphone and speak directly into the phone
  • Show interest and enthusiasm in your voice by smiling. You can tell when someone is smiling even on the phone.
  • Speak clearly and slowly
  • If your confidence fades, stand up! Your voice will sound stronger and more confident. This is one reason dynamic speakers and presenters walk around instead of standing at a podium.
  • Use hand gestures for natural talking.
  • Dress professionally. Even though no one will see you, you will still speak more professionally if you look the part.
  • Avoid ah, um, hm, er. This habit is especially noticeable on the telephone.

    • For a stand-out performance:

  • Anticipate regular interview questions. The only difference is the medium and not the criteria on which your qualifications will be based on.
  • Dont forget to close the deal. Dont get off the phone until you have made some effort to ask what the timeline is for the rest of the hiring process or when you may expect to be hearing from them to schedule a face-to-face interview.
  • Listen carefully…try closing your eyes when the interviewer is speaking so you can focus on what is being said.
  • Read the interviewers mood. You can’t read the interviewers body language but through active listening you can hear if the interviewer is interested and enthusiastic or bored and distracted. If they seem distracted, ask a powerful question and re-engage the interviewer.
  • Pace the call and do not interrupt and speak over the caller.
  • Avoid the simple yes and no answers and add selling points at every opportunity
  • If you need time to think, say so! As with a radio, silence during a telephone conversation is dead air.
  • Confirm the callers name, company, and contact information and alwayss remember to send a thank you note and reaffirm your interest in the company and an opportunity for a face-to-face interview.

    • Please share any additional questions or concerns about a face-to-face or telephone interview in the comments section and I will be sure to answer!

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    Posted in Interview Tips, Jena Bandini, Job Search | No Comments »