Phone Interview Tips

MS SAMEER (CMA*CA*CMDM*ast FUND MANAGER*LEGAL ADVISOR)   (14938 Points)

24 December 2010  

Phone Interview Tips

Now a days, employers use telephone interviews as a way of identifying and recruiting candidates for employment. Phone interviews are often used to screen candidates in order to narrow the pool of applicants who will be invited for in-person interviews.
While you are actively job searching, it is important to be prepared for a phone interview on a moments notice. You never know when a recruiter call and ask if you have a few minutes to talk.
When there is a call for you from company then you need to clear your head and shift your focus from family to your career. When you pick up the phone, ask the recruiter to repeat his or her name. Verify the spelling and write it down. Use the recruiter's name in your response. You are now ready to make a good impression during your first five minutes.

There are three basic types of telephone interviews:

  1. You initiate a call to the Hiring Manager and he or she is interested in your background. The call from that point forward is an interview.

  2. A company calls you based upon a previous contact. You will likely be unprepared for the call, but it is still an interview.

  3. You have a pre-set time with a company representative to speak further on the phone.

Here are some phone interview tips to help you:

  1. Be Prepared

    For preparing the phone interview, there are several things you can do. To prepare for the phone interview you can consider the following points:

    • You can keep all of your employer research materials within easy reach of the phone.

    • You can tape your resume to a wall near the phone. It will help a lot during the call and will be a constant reminder for your job search.

    • Have a notepad handy to take notes.

    If the phone interview will occur at a set time, Following are some additional points you have to consider:

    • Turn off call waiting on your phone.

    • Place a "Do Not Disturb" note on your door.

    • Warm up your voice while waiting for the call.

    • Have a glass of water handy, so that you will not have a chance to take a break during the call.

    • Turn off your stereo, TV, and any other potential distraction.
       

  2. Do not be afraid to pick up the phone

    The first step in the hiring process is the telephone interview. It may happen that when you pick up the phone, the call may be from any company. Then that time ask the recruiter to repeat his or her name. Verify the spelling and write it down. Use the recruiter's name in your response.
    If there is really any problem for you to talk, then ask for a telephone number and a convenient time to call back. You are now ready to make a good impression during your first five minutes.
    The phone interview tips will help you master the phone interview and get you to the next step - the face to face interview. So do not afraid to pick the phone.
     

  3. Be a good listener

    During telephonic interview, you must keep in mind that you must be a good listener.
    Avoid interrupting and let the recruiter complete his thought or question before you respond. Ask for clarification. Use open-ended questions. The more information you can gather, the better you can respond. We must know the fact that good listener is the best quality.