More and more companies are using phone interviews as part of their hiring process. Phone interviews allow employers to screen more candidates in less time, without having to prepare a space to meet in person; typically, candidates who impress during the phone interview are invited to come in for a final in-person meeting. Make a strong impression over the phone with these tips.
1. Warm Up
Prepare yourself thoroughly ahead of time, just as you would for an in-person interview. Dress professionally to put yourself into an appropriate state of mind. Print your resume and cover letter, and use them as reference points during the interview. Eat beforehand so hunger doesn't distract you, but don't overeat. Keep a glass of water nearby in case your mouth gets dry from all the talking. Rehearse your answers to common interview questions to help prevent nervousness.
2. Prepare Your Environment
It is important to have peaceful, quiet surroundings on the day of your phone interview. Try to schedule it for a day and time when you can be alone. Turn off any devices in your home that might distract you, such the television. If possible, use a landline telephone for the interview to avoid static, dropped calls and distracting notifications from your cellphone. Just in case you miss the call or the voicemail picks up, record a professional greeting.
3. Put Your Best Voice Forward
During a phone interview, your voice is your only tool to engage the person on the other end, so speak with energy and confidence. Try smiling as you speak to help you project a positive tone throughout the interview. Speak deliberately and choose your words carefully; it is OK to pause after each question to formulate a well-worded answer. Try to avoid space-fillers such as "um" and "ah."
4. Make It Count
Jot down a few points you'd like to make during the phone interview, and use this list as a reference guide for you, in addition to your resume and cover letter. Pretend you're sitting right across from the interviewer and engage with him as if it were in person. Also, keep a blank piece of paper and pen handy so you can jot down important notes as the conversation flows.
5. Next Steps and Follow-Up
Whether the interview is in-person or over the phone, it is important to find out what the next steps are in the hiring process. If the next steps are not discussed during the phone interview, be sure to ask the question at the end of the interview. This gives you something to look forward to and conveys your enthusiasm and seriousness about the opportunity. Also, send a thank-you note or email to the person who conducted the interview to express your appreciation for his time and show your interest in the position.
Whether it is used as a preliminary step in the hiring process or a final assessment of your candidacy, the phone interview should be taken just as seriously as a traditional in-person meeting. The impression you make over the phone to the hiring manager is heavily considered, so prepare yourself thoroughly beforehand. Performing well during the phone interview can land you that new job you've been dreaming of.
Photo courtesy of Pong at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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