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TELEPHONE INTERVIEW TIPS

Give yourself the advantage!

Today, more and more companies are relying on telephone interviews in their recruiting, screening

and hiring decisions. Just like any other interview, the better prepared you are, the more successful

the phone interview will be. A good telephone interview can give you a definite advantage prior to

meeting a potential employer.

PREPARING FOR THE CALL

Make sure the environment at your home or office is clear of other people and extraneous

noise, such as radios, TVs, pets etc.

 Have your resume in front of you for quick reference.

 Prepare a list of accomplishments for each of your positions prior to starting the call. Know

what you are going to want to highlight.

 Just like any interview, research t he company, products, revenues, and other pertinent

industry information.

 Prepare questions based on the position's responsibilities, goals of the division, cultural

style of the company, or the interviewer's background if they are the hiring manager.

 Be on time and don't get wrapped up in another call when you are expecting this interview

call.

 If possible, have the company web site already pulled up. That way if something comes up

in the conversation you will look right on top of things.

GETTING THINGS STARTED

1. Be enthusiastic. The first 15 seconds are crucial and interest in your voice is key. Just the way

you answer the phone has an impact on the caller. Talk distinctly and with confidence.

2. Establish a connection. Ask about the caller's e xperience with the company or mention

something you have read about the company.

3. Ask for an overview. Once you are comfortable, ask the interviewer what they are looking for

and why the position is open. This will provide you with good information so you can plan your

responses at the actual in -person interview.

DURING THE CALL

1. Know your resume. Don't assume that the person on the other end of the phone knows your

background or is familiar with the companies listed on your resume. Assume that you have to

illustrate your entire background. Make your resume "come alive". Try to anticipate what they may

ask about your background.

2. Demonstrate a career plan. The interviewer may start with - "Tell me about yourself." One

approach is to begin by s aying, "Let me tell you how and why I am in my current position". If you

have had a number of other titles at one company, explain how you added value to the company that

resulted in opportunities for promotion.

3. Demonstrate accomplishments. Review a problem that you turned into a positive situation for

each position that you list. Help the interviewer understand the problem, your specific role, what

path you took to resolve it, and the final result. Paint a picture. Also, try to quantify accomplishment

in each position (e.g. Increased sales by X percent; Oversaw budget of $Y).

4. Address reasons for leaving. Be clear on your reasons for leaving each position. Almost every

interviewer will ask that question. If you left a job because there was a confli ct in the department or

with your supervisor, be brief about the conflict. Most people don't enjoy hearing a long drawn out

negative explanation.

5. Ask questions from the list you prepared. Asking good questions illustrates that you are already

thinking seriously about the position and joining the company. Potential employers expect to be

asked questions and welcome opportunities to talk about their companies and/or their own

backgrounds.

6. Be open to compensation questions. If you are asked, be spec ific and precise about the base,

bonus, stock options, car allowance, etc. If asked, "What salary are you looking for to make a

change?" A good answer is, "My current package is a base of $XX.XX and bonus of XX%, and I am

hoping you will make me a fair offer based on my experience and the value I can bring to your

company." The interviewer will usually not press you for a specific number if you answer the

question in that manner.

WINDING UP

1. Give up control. The end of the call is always a tricky thing . A good suggestion is to thank the

caller for his or her time and say that you are interested in the opportunity. If the interviewer has not

asked you about your schedule or availability, it is a good idea to ask, "What would the next step be

in the process?" Let the interviewer re -establish control of the interview with this question.

2. Confirm information. If you don't already have it, be sure to ask for the interviewer's exact title

and name spelling, along with a street or email address so that you can send a thank you note. (Ask if

the interviewer uses email regularly before sending one).

A good telephone interview can give you a real advantage

prior to meeting a potential employer.