How Not To Blow a Phone Interview
With the advent of technology, many prospective job candidates are initially interviewed through the phone or over the internet.
Phone interviews have this magical way of magnifying any nervous tick and making the articulate candidate completely incoherent. Unfortunately, this necessary evil is the starting place of many interviewing processes.
Here are a few simple pointers to keep in mind if you are asked to sell yourself over the phone before meeting the company in-person.
Sit or stand somewhere comfortable and quiet - a space where you feel empowered and can speak freely. This means not in the car, especially during your morning commute, even if you feel like a rockstar in your new ride. And there's not a Starbucks in the world that is quiet enough or suitable for a phone interview.
Be prepared. A phone interview may seem informal, but it's not. Keep your resume in front of you.
Create a short accomplishment cheat sheet with examples of successes in your previous positions that may relate to the job. It's also helpful to keep a bullet-point list of information to remember about the company, key competitors, industry information and the hiring manager's background.
Smile. In front of a mirror. It sounds cheesy, but it helps and it's contagious. A company wants to hire a positive, energetic person. During an in-person interview, your body language gives the interviewers many clues about your personality. The phone interview leaves the interviewer only with your voice.
Photo credit: Matias Dutto
Date: February 1st, 2010 / Author: Lindsay
Posted in Recruiting / Tags: job search, phone interview
8 Comments - Add yours!
Lauren Hopkins (February 1st, 2010)
These are great tips since I’m graduating in May! Would you suggest these tips also for skype interviews, since these are becoming more popular?
Dana Paxton (February 1st, 2010)
I actually love phone interviews because I can exactly what you suggest: have my talking points, resume, career achievements list, questions and research at the ready. Thanks for the great tips!
Erin (February 1st, 2010)
Lindsay, I read this quickly, sure that you would use our phone conversation as an example of what not to do. I never thought when I called you from a park that I would be attacked by a tiny dog!
Still one of my favorite job searching stories.
Josh Morgan (February 1st, 2010)
Great tips Lindsey. Another one I always recommend is for people to stand up when they are talking. Makes your voice a little stronger.
Phone interviews « Jack Of All Trades (February 1st, 2010)
[...] How Not To Blow a Phone Interview [...]
DC Jobs (February 1st, 2010)
I like the advice to smile. Seems like it would be hard to be anxious and smiling, all at the same time.
Dan Dent (February 11th, 2010)
Bullet points are key. I like to cut and paste the job description into a Word table, and then add a column of bulleted accomplishments. (For example, writing skills would be matched with examples from my past jobs.) That way, my experience lines up directly with what the hiring manager is looking for.
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This blog is to share my recruiting experiences and discuss thoughts on the job market, PR industry and technology.
Alison Kenney is an independent PR practitioner with more than 15 years of PR consulting experience.
PamelaFine (February 1st, 2010)
Great tips! Thanks Lindsay. Simple reminders that can make all the difference.