Okay, so you've sent out hundreds of resumes, you've networked with friends and colleagues, and you've scoured every newspaper in the area trying to get in front of an employer looking to fill a needed position, and it finally happened: you got a request for a phone interview. What happens now, and how do you prepare?
First, why a phone interview? Companies conduct telephonic interviews for several reasons: first, it serves as an efficient means for pre-screening prospective candidates. An employer may receive hundreds of resumes when advertising for a position to fill, and it simply takes too much time to arrange face-to-face interviews with everyone. The telephonic interview can be done quickly, and when done right, can separate qualified candidates from the unqualified.
Secondly, when filling some positions, sales in particular, it is important that an employee comes across well to customers, and the telephonic interview will show if this is the case.
Lastly, the phone interview gives the candidate a quick chance to make his or her case to the interviewer without the distractions of office interruptions, allowing the employer a better opportunity to evaluate the candidate. So with all this in mind, how do you put your best foot forward?
Start by conducting the interview over a land line in the quietest part of the home. This prevents dropped calls and noisy children from spoiling your interview. Most interviewers will ask for 30 minutes of time, but allow for an hour if all goes well.
Speak in a calm but assertive voice. Most people tend to speak faster when they are nervous, so calm down and sound confident. This will come across to the interviewer as someone who can handle pressure as well as be a good voice for the company.
Write down the interviewers name when given. People like to hear the sound of their name, so write it down so that you don't forget it, and try to use it in conversation naturally.
Rehearse typical questions you might hear, such as "What is your greatest strengths and weaknesses?" Write down some good answers and be prepared to use them naturally in the telephonic interview. Good luck!
First, why a phone interview? Companies conduct telephonic interviews for several reasons: first, it serves as an efficient means for pre-screening prospective candidates. An employer may receive hundreds of resumes when advertising for a position to fill, and it simply takes too much time to arrange face-to-face interviews with everyone. The telephonic interview can be done quickly, and when done right, can separate qualified candidates from the unqualified.
Secondly, when filling some positions, sales in particular, it is important that an employee comes across well to customers, and the telephonic interview will show if this is the case.
Lastly, the phone interview gives the candidate a quick chance to make his or her case to the interviewer without the distractions of office interruptions, allowing the employer a better opportunity to evaluate the candidate. So with all this in mind, how do you put your best foot forward?
Start by conducting the interview over a land line in the quietest part of the home. This prevents dropped calls and noisy children from spoiling your interview. Most interviewers will ask for 30 minutes of time, but allow for an hour if all goes well.
Speak in a calm but assertive voice. Most people tend to speak faster when they are nervous, so calm down and sound confident. This will come across to the interviewer as someone who can handle pressure as well as be a good voice for the company.
Write down the interviewers name when given. People like to hear the sound of their name, so write it down so that you don't forget it, and try to use it in conversation naturally.
Rehearse typical questions you might hear, such as "What is your greatest strengths and weaknesses?" Write down some good answers and be prepared to use them naturally in the telephonic interview. Good luck!
