phone_interview

How Win a Phone Interview

Interview Tips and Interview Techniques

Article courtesy of InterviewConcepts.com

Phone interview success

Many people do not think of phone interviewing as interviewing. "It wasn't a
real interview, it was just a phone call." It was still an interview. And it could
affect your potential career with an employer. So treat it with all of the respect
due to a full interview.

When preparing for your phone interview, there are several interview
techniques you should use. To prepare for an unexpected contact:

Tape your resume to a wall in view of the phone. It will be there for the call and
will be a constant reminder of your job search.

Keep all of your employer research materials within easy reach of the phone.

Have paper handy to take notes.

Keep a mirror close-by (you will see why in the pages ahead).

If the phone interview will occur at a set time, there are additional steps you
can take:

Place a "Do Not Disturb" message on your door and lock it.

Turn off your stereo, TV, and any other potential distractions.

Have a glass of water within reach, since you will not have an opportunity to
take a break during the call.

Turn off call waiting on your phone.

The Open and Available Interview Technique

You have a major advantage in a phone interview, which does not exist in a
face-to-face interview. Namely, that you cannot be seen. Use this to your
advantage.

Have all of your materials on yourself and the company information open and
available on your desk as you are speaking on the phone. This includes not
only your resume, but also a "cheat sheet" of compelling story subjects that
you would like to introduce. It can also include a "cheat sheet" about the
company, including specific information describing the company and their
products.

As the hiring manager is speaking with you on the other end of the phone, he
has no idea that you are actually being prompted from your research as you
are speaking. All the hiring manager can hear is a well-informed, well-prepared
interviewee. Keep in mind that this preparation is not "cheating". It is
preparation, pure and simple, and is actually expected. I have had many hiring
managers ask, "What additional knowledge have you gained about my
organization since we set up this interview last week?" If you are in the
interviewing process with many companies, this can be an uncomfortable
moment, unless the Internet information on this company is right in front of you.

Now you have your materials open and available when you are preparing for a
phone interview. They are there to support you and enhance your value to the
employer, who will greatly respect your ability to answer questions with focus
and standout content.

Here is a simple technique to increase the enthusiasm and positive image that
you project over the telephone: sit on the end of your chair or stand up.
Whenever you are talking with a potential employer on the phone, stand up if
this works for you. Why? It gets your blood flowing, improves your posture,
and improves your response ability.

Talk loudly. Do not yell or shout. A strong clear voice can be an important
aspect of winning a phone interview. Make sure that your phone works well. I
have seen people using a portable phone and is goes fuzzy or breaks up
during the call. Test your phone with a friend to see if you are talking with
enthusiasm, or shouting.

P.S. Don't be afraid to use your hands when you talk on the phone. It can add
to the expressiveness of your voice. The impact of your voice can be used to
create excitement. When you want to make a point, talk louder into the phone,
and then back off. Use this tactic throughout the phone interview for added
success. (Interview Tips and Interview Techniques)