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- 22
Tips For Telephone Interviews
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by James North
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Here
we look at telephone interviews. This is an extract from INTERVIEWING
FOR JOB OFFERS.
Telephone interviews are a convenient means to screen candidates. They
are meant to be a relatively quick and easy way to narrow down the pool
of applicants, before compiling a short list for on premise interviews.
The "Most Desired Response" or "MDR" of a telephone
interviews is securing a face-to-face interview. It is that simple.
Notice, that the MDR of a telephone interviews is slightly different
from that of a face-to-face interview. The telephone interview is
designed to lead to a face-to-face interview, whereas a face-to-face
interview's MDR is often a job offer.
Here is how to prepare for a telephone interviews. Although, it is
customary for interviewers to give you advance notice of a telephone
interviews, some will not. They will just ring up and go for it. Once
you start sending out applications, be prepared for telephone
interviews. That call can come at 8am Monday morning, 7pm Friday evening
or 9pm Sunday night.
Practice your voice projection. Speak aloud to practice. Ask someone
else to listen to you or even record and play yourself back. It's
amazing how different you sound. You will notice the bad habits...the
"errrrrrs" and "ummmmmms."
Obviously, telephone practice as well as general interview and question
practice are essential. Further, you should be able to demonstrate a
good knowledge regarding the job, company, its' products and services
and even its' competitors...that means undertaking research.
Try to anticipate the questions you'll be asked that demonstrate you can
do the job. Then, prepare accordingly. Technical questioning on the
telephone is common - as a means to screen candidates. The questions may
not in great depth, but should be known by a good candidate.
During the interview, the interviewer has only ears with which to judge
you, and that is something you must exploit.
22 Telephone Interview Tips
1. Have your research and company notes to hand. You should also have a
copy of the resume that you sent to that company. Remember, the most
effective resume are those that are especially tailored.
2. Take a "surprise" call in your stride. If you are looking
for work then no telephone interviews should really be a
"surprise."
3. Be calm and collected. Remember to slow your breathing...at least try
by counting to 5 with each inhale and exhale.
4. Smile - it really makes a difference in your voice so much so that
the person on the other end can tell when you are smiling.
5. Sound positive, friendly, and collected.
6. If you need time say..."Thank you for calling. Would you wait
just a moment while I close the door?" Rest the phone as you pull
out your resume and company information.
7. Be professional, as if it was a face-to-face interview. Don't be
over-familiar with the interviewer. It does happen!
8. You should always refer to the interviewer by his or her surname
until invited to do otherwise.
9. Listen carefully to the interviewer. Listening and communication
skills are essential.
10. Answer politely and keep to the point...telephone interviews are
seldom more than 15 minutes.
11. Have some questions prepared - for example, "What exactly will
be the three major responsibilities in this job?" No trapdoor
questions!
12. Be factual in your answers.
13. Speak directly into the telephone. Keep the mouthpiece about one
inch from your mouth.
14. Do not smoke or eat while on the phone.
15. Shut out all background noise, such as pets, children playing and
the television.
16. Take notes. They will be invaluable to you in preparing for the
face-to-face meeting. No need to record the conversation...that is a bit
over the top!
17. Prompt the interviewer to invite you to interview by saying, "I
am immediately available for interview if you would like to arrange one
now."
18. If you are invited to an interview take a note of the details and
read them back to confirm date, place, time etc.
19. Ask if there is anything you should bring to the interview and ask
the format of the interview or process...length and how many interviews
are normally undertaken. This information will be excellent when it
comes to preparing.
20. Taking care to ascertain the correct spelling and pronunciation of
the interviewer's name shows your concern for the small but important
things in life--it will be noticed.
21. If you require more details like a Job Description or Person
Specification ask for one.
22. Thank the interviewer for her time and that you hope to hear soon.
No harm in saying that you are very keen for a face-to-face interview.
One school of thought asserts that you should ask three times for an
interview; subtly of course.
"I am immediately available for interview."
"I really would like an opportunity to meet you and look around the
company."
"I will be in the area on Monday and it is no problem to pop
in."
It is difficult to evaluate an opportunity properly over the telephone.
Even if the job doesn't sound right, go to the interview. At the very
minimum it will give you practice.
Moreover, once you attend a face-to-face interview the job may look that
bit more attractive as you gather more facts. You might even discover a
more suitable opening elsewhere within the company; it does happen.
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