Ways to Do Better Phone Interview
Posted in Phone Interviews
Some employers interview potential employees through the telephone. It is often used to screen candidates in order to narrow the pool of applicants who will be invited for in-person interviews, and also a way to minimize the expenses involved in interviewing out-of-town applicants.
When searching for a job, it is very important that you are prepared for a sudden phone interview. You never know when a recruiter might call and ask if you have the free time to talk with them. Here are great phone interview tips that would help you prepare.
Treat the phone interview just like any regular interview – Even if it is just your voice that they listen, recruiters tend to sense the personality of the candidate that way. It is best that you practice smile while talking and answering questions promptly.
Anticipate the questions – Job hunters tend to ask common questions to their applicants, such as identifying your strengths and weaknesses. Make sure that you know how to answer the common questions and say it with confidence and sincerity.
Keep your resumé near you – Make sure that your resumé is in clear view while conducting a phone interview, as recruiters sometimes asks questions based on your resume. You could hold it, place it on the desk or tape it on the wall near the phone.
Prepare a short list of your accomplishments – Some of questions are asked in a way for you to answer that you have achieved so far. Keeping a list of your major accomplishments (from your previous employments or from academics for new graduates) makes you not forget the vital answers that recruiters should hear.
Have a pen and paper handy – A pen and notepad should be on standby just in case you need to take some notes, like the office's address and the date of your second interview.
Turn your phone's call-waiting function off – You could also ignore any incoming calls from your phone so that the interview won't be interrupted.
If you're unavailable, provide alternatives – If you're about to do something really important by the time the recruiter called (like you are taking care of your ailing father, or you are about to take your kids to school), ask if you could talk at another time and suggest some alternatives.
Clear everything surrounding the phone – Turn off the TV or the stereo, tell your kids to go to another room, take your cat elsewhere, close the door (if the phone is in a room), and focus your attention to the interview. Make sure everything is quiet and orderly.
