Telephone Interview Preparation

The purpose of a telephone interview (T/I) is twofold:

1. It serves as an exchange of information, and verifies qualifications and mutual interest.

2. It determines a mutually suitable time & date for the face-to-face meeting.

· Avoid Interruption - Be in a place where you can speak free of distraction. Do not do it from work unless absolutely necessary and you can close the door and not be interrupted. If it is from home, be away from the spouse, the kids, the dog, the cat, the doorbell, the TV, the radio, etc. Don't pick-up call waiting. During the coarse of the conversation, don't interrupt the interviewer (as in any interview).

· Be enthusiastic - You don't have the non-verbal cues for the hiring manager to pick-up. Make up for it with inflection in your voice and enthusiasm. If you are only passive, it may not compel them enough to fly you in (which can be costly).

· Be prepared - Treat it like an open book test. Have all the information you need in front of you: job description, web site pulled up if possible, notes, notepad and pen.

· Research - Review the job description in advance and be prepared to provide examples of how you match-up to the position. Review the company web site in advance. Any research you do will be a plus. Companies like when candidates take the initiative to do research because it shows they are serious professionals and not just "kicking tires" which could be a waste of their time. If and when appropriate, communicate the research you have done.

· Concise answers - One extreme is to ramble, the other extreme is to give one-word answers. When asked a difficult question, take your time; think about your answer (if need be, buy some time by repeating the question or saying something like… "I have never been asked that before, let me think"…). When asked about your accomplishments, don't exaggerate and don't be modest, be factual and brief.

· Ask questions - Let them interview you, but when you have the opportunity to ask questions, have a list of good questions about the position prepared. (Avoid any questions regarding salary, benefits, etc.). "Information is power." Listen for "hot buttons." Determine what they are looking for in a candidate and communicate how you match-up (use examples).

· Sell yourself - Even if you are only mildly interested, it is important to communicate what you "bring to the table." If you don't, the interviewer may pass on a face-to-face interview before you have had a chance to fully determine if the opportunity is right for you.

· Probe for concerns - If there are any concerns, try to overcome them by discussing other strengths. If there are any misconceptions, clear them up.

· Close for the face-to face - Again, even if you are only mildly interested, the objective is to get in front of the company. Communicate why you are interested and ask the employer their thoughts on you as a candidate. If the feedback is positive, ask what their thoughts are about bringing you in for a face-to-face interview. If they sound interested in that, have your schedule for the next two weeks handy and try to schedule it; at least determine some tentative dates. The goal is to get a commitment to take the process to the next step.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

· Follow-up (employer) - Get the email address from the recruiter prior to the T/I. Promptly send a follow-up email to the interviewer.

· Follow-up