PHONE INTERVIEW TIPS
Nowadays, a good resume is really only a method of getting your foot in the door. Many jobs will request a phone interview prior to an in person interview, to gauge both interest and employability. Odds are, there are a lot of people applying for this position or at this company - it’s much more economical to submit applicants to the phone litmus test than schedule lengthy interviews with each aspiring potential employee. Here are a few tips to keep your dialogue strong and reliable.
Prepare.
Not all phone interviews are scheduled – some prospective employers may say that they’ll give you a call sometime in the coming week. This means that you need to keep your phone on hand, which can be stressful.
If they call at a time when you aren’t able to give them your undivided attention, let them know and ask if they can call back at another scheduled time, or see if you can call them. It’s a good idea to anticipate some of the talking points that are commonly asked, so make sure you know of relevant information to both the field and company you’re applying to.
Find a nice place where you can relax, especially if you are uncomfortable talking on the phone, or don’t have much experience with phone interviews. Make sure your phone is fully charged if you’re using a cell phone, and place yourself in a distraction free environment. It may be a good idea to have your résumé with you for when they ask about your previous work experience and training.
Present Yourself.
The phone interview differs from a standard interview in that it really lacks a large portion of the social cues that you would normally see when face to face with a recruiter. You’re going to have to gauge how well the interview is going by the tone and word choice of the recruiter. The best way to present yourself well is to slow down and listen to what the recruiter has to say, and respond when prompted.
Don’t try to take control of the interview – all sources show those interviewees who dominate the phone interview fare poorly in comparison to their more restrained counterparts. Keep yourself hydrated in case your throat becomes dry, but avoid drinking anything besides water or eating anything during the interview. Standing can help you to project confidence in your voice, but it’s most important to remain in a position comfortable to you.
Sealing the Deal
Once you feel that the interview is wrapping up, you’ve got to make sure that you end on a positive note. Feel free to ask how long it will take for the company to decide if you’ll be moving to the next step in the interview process or not, and make sure to thank your recruiter.
After the interview, send a thank you note by way of either e-mail or post. Make sure to include the name of the recruiter who conducted your phone interview and mention how enjoyable their discussion was. Something along the lines of “Thank you for taking the time to speak with me [time of interview], [name]. I enjoyed our discussion and look forward to hearing from you soon.” Embellish with details regarding the company and interview, but make sure to keep it short and simple.
Best of Luck!
Prepare.
Not all phone interviews are scheduled – some prospective employers may say that they’ll give you a call sometime in the coming week. This means that you need to keep your phone on hand, which can be stressful.
If they call at a time when you aren’t able to give them your undivided attention, let them know and ask if they can call back at another scheduled time, or see if you can call them. It’s a good idea to anticipate some of the talking points that are commonly asked, so make sure you know of relevant information to both the field and company you’re applying to.
Find a nice place where you can relax, especially if you are uncomfortable talking on the phone, or don’t have much experience with phone interviews. Make sure your phone is fully charged if you’re using a cell phone, and place yourself in a distraction free environment. It may be a good idea to have your résumé with you for when they ask about your previous work experience and training.
Present Yourself.
The phone interview differs from a standard interview in that it really lacks a large portion of the social cues that you would normally see when face to face with a recruiter. You’re going to have to gauge how well the interview is going by the tone and word choice of the recruiter. The best way to present yourself well is to slow down and listen to what the recruiter has to say, and respond when prompted.
Don’t try to take control of the interview – all sources show those interviewees who dominate the phone interview fare poorly in comparison to their more restrained counterparts. Keep yourself hydrated in case your throat becomes dry, but avoid drinking anything besides water or eating anything during the interview. Standing can help you to project confidence in your voice, but it’s most important to remain in a position comfortable to you.
Sealing the Deal
Once you feel that the interview is wrapping up, you’ve got to make sure that you end on a positive note. Feel free to ask how long it will take for the company to decide if you’ll be moving to the next step in the interview process or not, and make sure to thank your recruiter.
After the interview, send a thank you note by way of either e-mail or post. Make sure to include the name of the recruiter who conducted your phone interview and mention how enjoyable their discussion was. Something along the lines of “Thank you for taking the time to speak with me [time of interview], [name]. I enjoyed our discussion and look forward to hearing from you soon.” Embellish with details regarding the company and interview, but make sure to keep it short and simple.
Best of Luck!
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