Telephone Interviews Tips
Most people are not experienced at searching for a job. Even fewer people have mastered the skill of passing a telephone interview. The average job seeker doesn’t even consider telephone interviews to be the same as a real interview. If you treat this interview the same as you would a “real” interview, you will have a big advantage on your competition.
In today’s market, hiring managers will usually have a list of 10 to 20 qualified candidates for each opening. However, there is no way the manager can take time out of their day to personally interview each one of them. That’s where phone interviews come into play. Usually an HR person will use the phone interview to whittle down the list of candidates. Those candidates who are professional, prepared, confident, and excited about the job are most likely to move on to the next round. The following tips will help you be one of the lucky few who fit that profile.
Tips for telephone interviews:
Be Prepared – Before you interview, make sure you have a few basics supplies ready for the interview. If you think you will need your computer, have it turned on and ready. Keep paper and pencil close at hand to take notes, in case you have to follow up. Have a copy of your resume out and be ready to reference it, if necessary. Have a glass of water or something else to drink. Also, make sure you have any additional information they have asked you to prepare before the phone interview.
Do Your Homework – The company you are interviewing with is taking time out of their schedule, because they think you are a good fit for the job. The least you can do is look into the company and the job to make sure you agree. If possible, put together a list of questions about the job and the company. Taking the time to do this will show that you want the job.
Remove All Distractions – The last thing you want in a telephone interview is for your call waiting to beep in or your fax machine to go off. Limit any and all distractions during the call. It will help you stay focused and engaged during your interview. Barking dogs and screaming kids don’t sound very professional to the people on the other end of the call.
Dress for Success – You wouldn’t wear your pajamas to an in-person interview. Nor should you wear them during a telephone interview. Studies have shown that dressing like you do at work will improve your confidence. This extra confidence will give you an edge in the phone interview. It is also a great excuse to get out of your gym clothes for the day!
Armed with these tips, you will have a better chance at acing your next telephone interview. Just remember, this is a real interview and the company is interested in you. If you treat this step like a real interview, you have a great shot at an in-person meeting with the company.
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