Preparing for Telephone Interviews
The telephone interview is a technique used by an increasing number of organizations to screen candidates for employment prior to arranging face-to-face visits. Your objective is to sufficiently impress the caller so that a personal interview is arranged.
If you know that an employer may be calling you at home, prepare your environment in advance.
- Eliminate distractions (e.g., ask other people to leave the room, turn off the radio or television, close windows and doors).
- Place your resume, an outline of important points to cover, company information, a notepad, and an appointment book next to the phone. The advantage of a telephone interview for you is that you can use these materials during the interview.
- Have a glass of water and a mirror ready. The water, obviously, is in case you get thirsty. By looking into the mirror, you will remember to smile while you are talking on the phone. Talking with a smile will positively effect your tone of voice.
- It is best to use the interviewer’s surname throughout the interview unless they ask you to use their given name.
- Clearly enunciate your comments. If your answers are unintelligible, they will be ignored.
- Avoid a monotone delivery. The person/people who are listening to your responses will appreciate your use of inflection because it will help them focus on your comments.
- Do not be thrown if the interviewer pauses after you finish your answer. They may be searching for the next question or making notes.
- Take notes. They will help you prepare for a future face-to-face interview. Also, if the interviewer is interrupted during the interview, make note of what was being discussed<ins datetime="2000-09-07T14:22" cite="mailto:Saginaw%20Valley"> </ins>prior to the interruption. When they return to the phone, you can help put the conversation back on track.
- Know what the next step in the interview process is and who will take it.
- Thank the interviewer(s) for their time and consideration. Express your interest in meeting him or her for a face-to-face interview at a later date.
If surprised by a call, all of the above suggestions still apply. Take a moment to compose yourself and control your surroundings. If this is not possible, ask to arrange a time to return the interviewer’s call.