The Phone Interview

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Much of my personal job search experience has been across state lines, so I’m quite familiar with the telephone job interview. And it requires skills all its own.

Of course, some companies are conducting first interviews over the phone even if you’re close by. So this skill is something you’re going to need to learn in order to have a successful job search campaign.

The following are things you need to have in mind so that you will be able to pass a telephone interview. Do the following well and you’ll be on your way to a second interview:

 As you wait for the interviewee’s call, place your resume near you for guidance. You might also want to have any correspondence, as well as the job description, handy.

 Have a paper and pencil ready for note taking.

 Be sure to turn off call waiting options or whatever features that may disturb you while taking the call.

 Make sure that there is silence for it may disturb your conversation if there are children crying and other forms of noise. Close the door and let people near you know not to disturb you.

 Turn off the stereo and TV. This should go without saying, but you’d be surprised ….

 If you think you’ll be hungry before the interview is over, have a snack finished before the call comes in. You don’t want to eat or drink while on an interview. However, if it is a long interview, you can take a sip of water now and again.

 Speak clearly and smile when you talk. Even if you’re not happy, a smile on your face can be heard in your voice.

 Address the interviewer politely.

 Listen well and do not interrupt the interviewer.

 Answer briefly and straight to the point.

 Say thank you and appreciate compliments.

Though you do not see the person on the other line, you have to act as if you are talking face-to-face. It is good to be relaxed while taking the call. It would be sensed by the interviewer, whether you are sincere or you are too pressured.

When the phone rings, take a deep breath, lift the receiver and say to yourself that you are indeed going to get that job.

With the reminders above, you will definitely be able to do well on a phone interview.