Get Yourself Ready to Impress During a Phone Interview
People often think of the job interview as a conversation, something they do well before their potential employer calls them in for an in-person meeting. But it is also a test of sorts, especially when the interviewer is on the phone. They're trying to determine whether or not you will be able to carry out your duties and perform under pressure inside that coveted office building.
This blog post will help you prepare for a phone interview so that you can give yourself an edge over your competition. Whether you are looking for work or trying to get your boss's approval about stepping into his shoes, this quick guide will give you some terrific advice about how to ace this all-important step in the hiring process.
When your potential employer calls, you'll want to be on your game. This means you won't have time to be nervous or second-guess yourself. You need to think positively and keep in mind the things you have prepared beforehand. And then, of course, when the interviewer asks a question, go ahead and answer it right away.
1) Know what to expect:
One of the first things you should know is that not all phone interviews are created equal. In fact, some companies don't even take applicants on the phone at all; they want to see if candidates meet them in person instead. And some employers will conduct their phone interview by conference call or video conference instead of over a regular telephone line.
In most cases, however, you can expect to have a phone interview like this: You will receive a call from the employer or their representative. This person will record your answers to certain questions and observe how well you handle yourself on the phone. They may even ask you some questions that are specifically geared toward this type of format.
2) Know what questions employers may ask:
The most common phone interview question is also one of the easiest for interviewees to mess up: "Tell me about yourself." You'll want to work ahead of time on telling a positive story about your career and explaining why this job would be great for you.
Another common question is one that you might hear in a phone interview if you have previous work experience: "Why are you looking for a new position?" A great way to answer this question is by talking about some of the things that excited you about your old job, why it didn't fit your personal preferences anymore, and how a new opportunity could be better.
3) Keep your answers short and sweet:
Who wants to listen to an applicant ramble on for hours? You'll want to keep your responses brief and pack them with passion. For example, if asked why you are interested in this particular position, explain that it is because it will challenge you or simply be interesting.
4) Ask for further information if you need it:
Sometimes, you'll be asked some questions that don't include all of the necessary information. If this happens, ask the employer if you can have a moment to look something up. This shows that you are prepared and want to make sure your answers are accurate.
5) Prepare beforehand:
You should always do as much research as possible on the company before they call. It is also a good idea to review your resume thoroughly and make sure that it's current and polished. You never know when a long-ago experience or skill will come in handy during a job search, so don't leave anything important out.
6) Be yourself:
You should never be a phony or try to act like someone else. You should be yourself and own your personality to the best of your ability, but you should also not tell the employer stories that you don't believe are true. Your answers shouldn't sound rehearsed. You can usually tell if an applicant is telling a story because he or she has heard it before, so try not to copy others when talking about yourself.
7) Don't take it personally:
If an employer doesn't hire you, it will probably be because they felt as though you weren't up to snuff in some way. It can be nice to get the call and feel great about it, but remember that this isn't a personal rejection.
If you don't get hired after a phone interview, do not take it personally. This is true for everyone at some point in their job search journey. Everyone from job seekers to employers will make mistakes or have answers that don't quite fit the requirements of the position. Interviewing is a jungle and you'll want to feel confident and competent in order gain an edge over your competition. If you're unclear about your qualifications or feel that you're not ready for this step in your career, try not to worry too much about it. You'll be able to learn much more by experience, so try out some first-hand interviewing.
8) Learn from your mistakes:
The best way to get better at a skill is to make mistakes and learn from them. If you don't test your abilities, you'll never know how strong or weak they are. You should do the same thing after a phone interview; don't just brush it off as a loss and move on. It's okay to critique yourself and think about what you can do better next time.
9) Follow up:
No matter how big or small the interview was, you should always send a thank-you email or a hand-written note thanking your interviewer for their time. If you feel that something didn't go well, don't be too shy to apologize. You'll probably want to refer to the encounter in your note so that the employer knows that you do care about your work and the position. The best way to do this is by bringing up something specific from the conversation (a question asked or mistake made) and then apologising for it. This shows that you care about your performance and will try to better yourself going forward.
If you feel that the employer or their representative was rude to you during the interview, it's a good idea to mention that in your thank-you note. This will show the employer that you aren't afraid of confrontation and that you have strong values and opinions. However, keep your complaints brief, as long, ranty notes may appear unprofessional.
10) Keep at it:
Getting a phone interview is not as easy as it sounds and sometimes requires more persistence than anything else. If you don't get an interview right away, try again after taking some time to review your resume or update your information. You should also look over some sample phone interviews on the Web and think of questions they might ask. After giving yourself some time, try to make one last phone call or send an email with a short note. You never know when things will start to fall in place for you.
10 Tips
1) What is the phone interview like?
First, there will be a brief introduction by the hiring manager or HR representative. Then you'll get a few questions on how your employment history has prepared you for the career position and you'll go through a typical one-to-one interview style (the first of which usually involves a question on why you are interested in this particular position). Finally, take down any details regarding salary and benefits involved. On average, this part of the interview may last fifteen minutes to half an hour.
Conclusion
In the end, you'll want to feel confident and clear-headed about the phone interview. You will also want to reflect on how well you performed since it was better for you to learn from your mistakes than try to avoid every part of the process. After all is said and done, try not to fret if you didn't get an interview or if something didn't go as well as planned. There are many more interviews ahead and you'll have a chance at success once you've reviewed your past experiences and made some positive changes. Just remember that there will always be more work, but it's up to you whether or not you achieve your goals.