Keys to Successful Phone Interviewing
Follow these simple rules to achieve success in this important phase of
job-hunting..! A little wrap up on the Do’s & Don’ts while on a telephonic
interview.
Do give accurate and detailed contact information in your cover letter so your
interviewers can easily connect with you.
Do ensure that household members understand the importance of phone messages in
your job search
Do know what job you are interviewing for.
Do practice, if possible. Have a friend call you to do a mock phone interview
so you get the feel of being interviewed over the phone.
Do make sure you are in a place where you can read notes, take notes, and
concentrate.
Do suggest a specific alternate time to the recruiter. If talking then is not
suitable. It’s often best to be the one who calls back so you can be mentally
prepared.
Do consider keeping some note cards or an outline in front of you to remind
yourself of key points you want to cover with the interviewer. You don’t want
your responses to sound scripted, but you don’t want to fumble for important
points either.
Do also have your resume in front of you so you can remember highlights of your
experience and accomplishments.
Do ensure that you can hear and are being clearly heard.
Don’t feel you have to fill in the silences. If you’ve completed a response,
but the interviewer hasn’t asked his or her next question, don’t start babbling
just to fill in airtime. Instead, ask a question of your own related to your
last response.
Do create a strong finish to your phone interview with thoughtful questions.
Don’t panic if you have special needs. If you are hearing-impaired, for
example, phone interviews are still possible.
Don’t snuffle, sneeze or cough. If you can’t avoid these behaviors, say “excuse
me.”
Don’t chew gum or food, or drink anything noisy.
Follow these simple rules to achieve success in this important phase of
job-hunting..! A little wrap up on the Do’s & Don’ts while on a telephonic
interview.
Do give accurate and detailed contact information in your cover letter so your
interviewers can easily connect with you.
Do ensure that household members understand the importance of phone messages in
your job search
Do know what job you are interviewing for.
Do practice, if possible. Have a friend call you to do a mock phone interview
so you get the feel of being interviewed over the phone.
Do make sure you are in a place where you can read notes, take notes, and
concentrate.
Do suggest a specific alternate time to the recruiter. If talking then is not
suitable. It’s often best to be the one who calls back so you can be mentally
prepared.
Do consider keeping some note cards or an outline in front of you to remind
yourself of key points you want to cover with the interviewer. You don’t want
your responses to sound scripted, but you don’t want to fumble for important
points either.
Do also have your resume in front of you so you can remember highlights of your
experience and accomplishments.
Do ensure that you can hear and are being clearly heard.
Don’t feel you have to fill in the silences. If you’ve completed a response,
but the interviewer hasn’t asked his or her next question, don’t start babbling
just to fill in airtime. Instead, ask a question of your own related to your
last response.
Do create a strong finish to your phone interview with thoughtful questions.
Don’t panic if you have special needs. If you are hearing-impaired, for
example, phone interviews are still possible.
Don’t snuffle, sneeze or cough. If you can’t avoid these behaviors, say “excuse
me.”
Don’t chew gum or food, or drink anything noisy.
