Phone Interviews

You’ve submitted your resume to a few companies that look like they may be compatible with your professional goals.  You are aware you could be called any time when suddenly, an unidentifiable number appears on your caller ID.  It’s a recruiter from a prospective employer and they ask if you have some time to discuss an available position.  Are you prepared to have this conversation at a moment’s notice? We have some ideas to help you through this impromptu meeting.

First, it’s important to understand what a phone interview actually accomplishes.  Phone interviews are typically used to screen candidates for face-to-face interviews.    Upon completion of a successful phone interview, you will be asked for a face-to-face meeting.  It is helpful to have a printed resume ready and available when you are looking for a new position.  Proof read it, print it, and put it somewhere it will be easily accessible, in case you are called for an impromptu phone interview.

Once you have your resume handy, make sure the place you are speaking to the recruiter is quiet and free of distractions.  If you are unable to speak to the recruiter without distractions, ask them if you can call them back at an agreed upon time.  Make sure you call them back at that time, as it is important to be punctual for this type of a call.

When asked questions about your experience, don’t be afraid to go into details.  You should be descriptive of your skills and what you hope to accomplish at your next job.  Stay positive, be proud of the work you have done.  Often times, prospective employers will consider your tone of voice as a real indicator of your sincerity regarding the projects you’ve completed.  They will be able to tell which tasks you enjoyed and which you were not so fond of.  If you speak negatively during a phone interview, it may be misconstrued as a poor attitude, and this is not the impression you want to make.

Things To Do

Have a pen and paper handy to take notes

Ask specific questions about the job

Smile

Be positive when speaking to the interviewer

Ask when the face-to-face interviews will be conducted

Things Not To Do

Bad-mouth previous employers

Interrupt the interviewer

Have distractions around you

Don’t eat, chew gum or smoke while on a phone interview

Use slang, it’s not professional

We hope these tips will help you better prepare for your next phone interview.  It's important to make a good impression to secure the face-to-face interview.  Stay positive, ask questions and follow-up if given the opportunity to thank the recruiter for contacting you.