Here's why planning for a telephone interview is so important: unlike a planned first interview a telephone interview can come at any time and from any company. Also, once you begin to network, a phone interview may result when all you expected was possible leads. Sometimes recruiters will call to schedule an interview at a later time, but more often they'll call hoping to catch you in and interview you on the spot.
Here are some general tips for handling a phone interview:
- If you feel unprepared or uncomfortable with your phone skills, practice with a friend. Role-play and ask your friend to question you over the phone. Also, you can make good use of your answering machine, here; call when you're away from home and leave yourself a message emphasizing one of your themes. When you get home, listen to how you sound; listen to your voice pattern (enthusiasm, highs/lows, pauses, and so on). Also listen to the content-was your message clear and direct? Keep practicing until you're comfortable with the results.
- Always is prepared, with your twelve themes ready to go. The basic guidelines of a screening interview apply here as well.
- Keep a copy of your resume by the phone along with a list of key words representing the themes you think are relevant to the industry or job category you're pursuing.
- You can't count on clues from an interviewer's body language, eye contact, or other such signs. You'll have to pay close attention, instead, to their voice pattern, and you must use your own voice--simple, direct, enthusiastic responses--to keep the conversation interesting and easy to follow.
- Listen very carefully and maintain your highest level of concentration. Have a phone set up where you can sit more or less as you'd sit for an interview. Keep a pen and some paper near the phone along with your resume and notes. Take very careful notes about what you're asked and what seemed most critical to the recruiter. (This information will help you follow up later with a letter.)
- Avoid long pauses; provide quick summaries of your key themes or points with clear examples of how you've made positive contributions where you've been and how you could contribute to this company.
- Make sure you get the name (spelled correctly), number, and address of the person who called you.
- Reaffirm your interest--if you're interested after this first round. Find out what happens next and what you can do to make yourself competitive. Follow up with a thank-you note, just as you would for a screening interview. Your goal is to get face-to-face in the next round.
Collecting References
At some point before you start interviewing, you'll need to prepare a list of three to five references. Unless you're new to the workforce, at least two of these should be professional references from previous employers or close business associates. Other potential sources of references include teachers, professors, volunteer committee heads, and friends who are well respected in business circles. Don't list family members as references.
Be sure to ask people for their permission before you cite them as references. If they agree, be sure you have their job title, the name of the company where they work, and their work address and phone number. Then prepare a neat, typed list of your reference contacts with your name at the top of the page. You should make several copies and have them on hand during your job interviews. Don't make the mistake of listing your references on your resume, as this is commonly considered inappropriate and unprofessional.
Don't forget to send each of your references a thank-you note when your job search is over. Proper etiquette aside, this practice will help keep your contacts current. You never know when you might need their help again sometime down the road.
Preparing Questions for the Interviewer
Toward the end of a typical job interview the interviewer will usually ask if you have any questions. You should be prepared with one or two or the employer may think you're not really interested in the company. Use this time to ask questions that subtly demonstrate your knowledge of the firm and the industry, and that underscore your interest in a long-term career with that company. At the same time, don't allow this opportunity to become an interrogation. Two or three thoughtful questions are usually sufficient. What questions should you ask? Here are some examples:
Q" "What position or positions does this job typically lead to?"
Q: "Assuming I was hired and performed well for a number of years, what additional opportunities might this job lead to?"
These questions imply that you're an achievement-oriented individual looking for a company in which you can build a long-term career.
Q "I've noticed in the trade press that your firm has a terrific reputation in marketing. What are the major insights into the marketing process that I might gain from this position?"
Q "I understand that your company is the market leader in industrial drill bits in North America. I'm curious to know how much of the product line is sold overseas-and whether there are many career opportunities in marketing abroad."
These questions imply that you're very interested in a long-term career in the industry and that you might lean toward pursuing a career with this firm because of its solid reputation. Your well-timed and appropriate questions are sure to impress even the toughest interviewer.
Q "What skills are considered most useful for success in the job I'm applying for?"
This question implies that you really care about your success at your first job, and provides important information you can use to your advantage in the future.
Q "I'd really like to work for your firm. I think it's a great company and I'm confident I could do this job well. What's the next step of the selection process?"
More than a question, this is a powerful statement that will quickly set you apart from other job hunters. However, you should make such a statement only if you mean it. If you're offered the position but then say you need two weeks to think it over, you'll lose your credibility. However, even after responding in this manner, it's reasonable to ask for one or two days to give an offer some thought.
Be sure to save your questions about salary, benefits, and related issues for later, after you receive an offer. You'll still be free to negotiate- or to decline the position-at that point. Also, avoid asking questions that will be difficult or awkward for the recruiter to answer. For example, this is not an appropriate time to ask, "Does your company use recycled paper for all its advertising brochures?"
