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How To Ace Phone Interviews

 

In a world of ‘global citizenship’ enduring a telephone interview or screening is becoming more and more common as people seek jobs in different counties or just further a field. The telephone screening part of the recruitment process is also popular amongst large, time strapped organisations with a lot of recruitment and HR issues. It saves them time and money, and saves your time as well. It sorts the wheat from the chafe for the recruiters and doesn’t waste the travel and expense of the potential employee having to get themselves to a physical interview.

Telephone interviews or screenings can be as nerve-wracking as a face to face meeting – and why shouldn’t they be? Whilst you don’t have to worry about what you wear , or where indeed you are sitting or standing, your physical self and body language and presentation help to make the impression as much as what you have to say. The objective of a screening interview is exactly as it says – to find out enough about you to assess the need for a face to face.

So , how to ace that first telephone screening interview:

  • If you can create the proper first impression on the telephone your chances of being invited for a personal visit are greatly enhanced.
  • Be enthusiastic and assertive. Remember that you don't have the benefits of expression and eye contact to show your excitement and interest.
  • Be ready to provide specific examples of projects and accomplishments which showcase your skills.
  • Avoid: speaking too fast, having music or other noises in the background, chewing or smoking, speaking too close to the receiver - anything that can create an unpleasant image of yourself.
  • Look at the interview from the interviewer's perspective. Do not ask questions that appear to be selfishly motivated. This is the most common mistake people make on phone interviews - you should not even bring up the subjects of money or benefits. Your only goal at this point should be selling the company on your skills and experience - talking about money prematurely can only have negative effects.

Some of the obvious questions to be prepared for:

  • Why are you leaving your present position? (Have a positive reason for this move)
  • What are your strong/weak points?
  • What were your biggest accomplishments in your last position?
  • What specific projects have you worked on?
  • What contributions can you make to our company?

The best way of answering this last question is to do research on the company you will be interviewing with: check out the company's web site, do your homework, find out what they are doing and be prepared to point out how you can help them achieve their goals. As a parting comment, let the potential employer know that you are very interested in the position and why. The enthusiasm you display could be the deciding factor between you and another candidate.

Last but not least, make you sure you do your own follow up call – its shows enthusiasm and willing – only once though – hassling people is a sure fire way not to get that next job interview!

 
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