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Mastering the Phone Interview
by Peter Vogt
You just got word that you landed a job interview with a
company that really interests you -- only there's a
slight catch.
You won't be meeting with your interviewer(s) face to
face. Instead, you'll be taking part in a phone
interview, the results of which will determine whether
you're invited to meet with company representatives in
person.
Many companies use phone interviews as an initial
employment screening technique for a variety of reasons.
Because they're generally brief, phone interviews save
companies time. They also serve as a more realistic
screening alternative for cases in which companies are
considering out-of-town (or out-of-state and foreign)
candidates.
So the chances are pretty good that, at some point in
your job hunt, you'll be asked to participate in a 20-
to 30-minute phone interview with either one person or
several people on the other end of the line. In many
ways, the way you prepare for a phone interview isn't
all that different from the way you'd get ready for a
face-to-face interview -- save for a few slight
additions to and modifications of your list of
preparation tasks.
Here's what to do:
1. Treat the phone interview seriously, just as you
would a face-to-face interview.
A phone interview seems so informal on the surface that
it can be easy to fall into the trap of "phoning it in"
-- i.e., not preparing for it as well as you would for
an in-person interview. Don't get caught with your guard
down. Be sure to research the company, study the job
description, and practice your responses to anticipated
questions, just as you would for any other interview.
2. Have your resume and cover letter in front of you.
You'll almost certainly be asked about some of the
information that appears on these documents. You might
also want to have in front of you any supporting
materials that relate to information in your resume and
cover letter, like documents you've designed or written,
a portfolio of your various projects, or the written
position description from your key internship.
3. Make a cheat sheet.
Jot down a few notes about the most critical points you
want to make with your interviewer(s). Are there certain
skills and experiences you want to emphasize? Do you
have certain interests or passions you want your
interviewer(s) to know about and understand? Be sure
these pieces of information appear on your crib sheet.
Then touch on them during the interview, even if your
only chance to do so is at the end of the session when
the interviewer asks you if you have any questions or
anything to add.
4. Get a high-quality phone.
This isn't the time to use a cell phone that cuts in and
out, or a cheaply made phone that makes it difficult for
you and your interviewer(s) to hear and understand each
other.
5. Shower, groom and dress up (at least a little).
Odd advice? Perhaps. But focusing on your appearance,
just as you would for a normal interview, will put you
in the right frame of mind from a psychological
standpoint. You won't do as well in your phone interview
if you're lying in bed, for example, or if you're draped
over your couch in your pajamas.
6. Stand up, or at least sit up straight at a table or
desk.
Again, there's a psychological, frame of mind aspect to
consider here. But on a more tangible level, research
has shown that you project yourself better when you're
standing up, and you'll feel more knowledgeable and
confident.
Phone interviews can be tricky, especially since you
aren't able to read your interviewers' nonverbal cues
like facial expressions and body language during the
session -- a big difference from the typical interview.
But if you prepare well for your phone interview, you
won't need to read anyone's nonverbals to gauge your
performance. You'll know for sure how you've done
because you'll be invited to a face-to-face interview,
where you'll have yet another opportunity to prove
you're the best person for the job. |
