Phone Interview Tips

Companies are using phone interviews more frequently as a time and cost efficient method of identifying the most promising candidates . The telephone interview may be a quick chat to find out a bit more about you, or it may be an in-depth, behaviorally based formal interview. Whichever one it is, it is one where your verbal skills are tested. They are not only assessing if your past work history is a fit for the position but they are assessing your communication skills as well as your job related abilities during the conversation. Phone interviews can be tough. With the lack of visual communication, you must be able to rely on auditory feedback and be disciplined enough to keep focus.

Your phone voice mail message;

Make sure the message on your home and cell phones reflect a professional image? Cute messages might be OK sometimes; but your want anyone calling you understand your ability to communicate in a clear and concise manner verbally not cute? Or is your message casual, off-beat that is possibly discouraging potential employers from pursuing further contact with you? Depending on the type of employment you are seeking, a message that is too casual can ruin the impression you are looking to make on prospective employers.

Communicate energy and enthusiasm

When searching for the perfect candidate organizations often make an initial decision from the way in which candidates answer the phone. If you answer yours in a casual and disinterested manner, you will make a poor impression. Energy and enthusiasm in your greeting and in your responses to questions demonstrates your interest in the conversation and in the job. Companies want motivated employees. Consider your own reaction when you call someone who is pleased to hear from you and contrast this with the feeling you get when you call someone who is not pleased to hear from you or who is just plain distracted or disinterested. Which conversation leaves you with a positive impression of the person you are speaking to?

Develop rapport

Building a relationship with the interviewer on the phone is a great way to not only demonstrate your interpersonal skills but is also likely to increase the amount of information that is exchanged. You should communicate in a positive and pleasant manner throughout the conversation and remain professional in your language and approach.

Prepare for a phone interview just as you would for a regular interview. Compile a list of your strengths and weaknesses, as well as a list of answers to typical phone interview questions. In addition steps;

• Keep your resume in clear view, on the top of your desk, or tape it to the wall near the phone, so it's at your fingertips when you need to answer questions.
• Have a short list of your accomplishments available to review.
• Have a pen and paper handy for note taking.
• Turn call-waiting off so your call isn't interrupted.
• Clear the room - evict the kids and the pets. Turn off the stereo and the TV. Close the door.
• I recommend using a land line rather than your cell phone to avoid a dropped call or static on the line, it possible

Practice Interviewing

I've always found it's helpful to practice. Consider having a friend conduct a mock interview and record it. You'll be able to hear your "ums" and "uhs" and "okays" and you can practice reducing them from your conversational speech. Also rehearse answers to those typical questions.

During the Phone Interview

• Don't smoke, chew gum, eat, or drink.
• Do keep a glass of water handy, in case you need to wet your mouth.
• Smile. Smiling will project a positive image to the listener and will change the tone of your voice.
• Speak slowly and enunciate clearly.
• Don't interrupt the interviewer.
• Take your time - it's perfectly acceptable to take a moment or two to collect your thoughts.
• Give short answers.
• Remember your goal is to set-up a face-to-face interview. After you thank the interviewer ask if it would be possible to meet in person

Listen Some times during the interview nerves take over and we make the mistake of saying too much. Make sure. When you have answered the question, allow for that possibly uncomfortable moment of silence. This will let the interviewer know that you are through, and then they will proceed.
Listen and wait for them to finish with their next question, and then proceed.

Continuing Career Development in a Down Market

The economic downturn has not only eliminate thousand of positions but has slowed down advancement opportunities for those remaining.. Most career development efforts are focused on achieving success by completing a series of assignments with an increasing level of responsibility. The downturn has slowed down or even shut down these opportunities that are critical in making your talents visible to organization and in preparing for you for future advancement.
There are ways that you can continue to build your career options:
Focus on your strengths. Do more of what you do best. Early in a career, it makes sense to try a bit of everything and push to improve in areas of weakness, but at a certain point, it is better to focus on your strengths.
Reinforce these strengths. If the opportunities to show your strengths are not available on the job. Choose activities outside work at church or school or within community that develop the image you want to convey. For example, volunteer for the church or school building committee if you're good at managing projects. These outside activities can help broaden your experiences and help you become conversant in ways to reinforce your capabilities at work.
Network. Surround yourself with people with talents and skills that can complement your skills, not just with those with experiences exactly like yours. People have to recognize common values and goals before they're likely to share what they know, so cultivate these relationships.