Phone Interview Do's & Don'ts

Written by Conception Johnson Sunday, 13 December 2009 01:05

Editorials - Did You Know

Nowadays, phone interviews are the 1st step in the interviewing process. During times of tight budgets, many companies opt to do initial phone screenings to cut their overhead cost. These phone conversations are normally the 1st contact a company will make with a potential candidate. It’s a very vital moment for any potential future employee to make a good and lasting impression. So you better not take it likely, your surroundings and attitude will shine brightly through the telephone line.

Here are a few useful hints to help you through the process:

• Schedule the phone interview at a time you will be alert and not around people. If you are employed by another employer, do not do a phone interview at your present employer’s company.
• Treat the phone interview just as you would a personal, face-to-face interview. Just because it is over the phone does not mean that you should take it lightly or take it less seriously!
• Make sure the phone you plan on using for the call is of high quality. Avoid portable and/or cellular phones.
• If you have an answering machine/voicemail, please make sure your recording is both courteous and professional.
• Make sure family members know how to answer the phone and take messages in your absence. Keep a note pad by the phone for messages and reinforce how important their cooperation is to your search success.
• Be aware of any potential distractions, i.e. radio, television, background conversations, etc. Plan to sit in a quiet room/area where you can speak and think in a productive manner.
• If you have the “call-waiting” feature on your phone, it is best not to interrupt your conversation to answer a call.
• If you have a bad connection and/or have difficulty hearing the other person, offer to call them back.
• Be fully prepared with your notes in regard to: 1) the company, 2) the position, 3)yourself (resume). You will then be able to come across as an organized and articulate interviewee.

Don't do the following:

• chew gum, eat food or drink
• get very comfortable on the phone, the interviewer is not your best friend
• be intoxicated

Again, treat your phone interview as a face-to-face interview. Sell yourself! Have your calendar at hand so you may suggest dates that would be convenient to do a face-to-face interview. GOOD LUCK!

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