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 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.