Phone interviews are becoming more and more common as
companies gain greater access to candidates and as more
recruiters and hiring managers work from virtual office
locations. On the positive side, with a phone interview you
don't have to worry about having your suit pressed and you
can have your notes in front of you. On the flip side, it
is much more difficult to establish rapport and get a read
on the hiring manager during a phone conversation. Below
are some tips for getting the most out of your phone
interviews.
Schedule the meeting during a time when you won't be
distracted.
A phone interview should be scheduled like any other
interview. At the designated appointment time, make sure
the dog is in the backyard and someone else is watching the
kids. If a recruiter or hiring manager calls you without
advance notice and wants to interview you on the spot, use
caution. If the interview "conditions" are not optimal at
the time of the call, it is best to tell the interviewer
that you are very interested in the position, but need to
schedule another time to have a conversation. That time can
be as soon as ten minutes later, just make sure that you
can take the call without being distracted.
Conduct interviews from a landline.
Cell phones are a boon to modern communication, but the
quality is still not the same as that from a land line. You
don't want to frustrate the recruiter or the hiring manager
with a bad connection. Plan your interview from a reliable
phone line.
Create an office space.
Dedicate an area as your office. This could be as simple as
a card table with a phone and your documents. Conduct your
interviews from your "office". Being seated at a desk or
table allows you to create an environment similar to an
in-person interview.
Put a mirror in front of you.
This helps you focus and it anchors your conversation to
the visual representation of a person. Monitoring your
facial expressions helps you see if you are communicating
your enthusiasm to the recruiter.
Have a glass of water nearby.
If your throat is dry or you get a tickle you can take care
of it before it turns into a cough and disrupts the flow of
the interview.
Have your notes in front of you.
A phone interview is like an open book test. You can have
your company research and answers to potential interview
questions right in front of you. Try putting key
information on colored index cards and organize by category.
Vary Your Voice.
Since the other person can't see you, it is critical that
you vary the tone and cadence of your voice to communicate
interest and develop rapport.
Use pauses effectively.
Pauses in an interview situation are always difficult and
they can be especially awkward during a phone interview.
Rather than wondering what the person on the other end is
doing or if they are still there, use the silence to ask a
question. For example, if the interviewer has just asked
you about your strengths and your response is met with
silence, make that an opportunity to ask a question like
"What are the key strengths of your ideal candidate?" This
takes care of the silence and allows you to learn more
about the position.
Don't multi-task.
We have grown so accustomed to multi-tasking, however it
can be counterproductive during a phone interview. Don't
check your email or stick a casserole in the oven while you
are engaged in a phone interview. Act the same way you
would for an in-office interview and maintain your focus.
Practice.
Record some of your answers to prospective interview
questions. Play them back and critique. Are you easy to
understand? Is your presentation riddled with long pauses
and ums? Do you communicate interest and enthusiasm? If
necessary, rework your answers and your presentation.
----------------------------------------------------
Barbara Safani, owner of Career Solvers,
(http://www.careersolvers.com ) has over 12 years of
experience in career management, recruiting, executive
coaching, and organizational development. Ms. Safani
partners with both Fortune 100 companies and individuals to
deliver targeted programs focusing on resume development,
job search strategies, networking, interviewing, and salary
negotiation skills.
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