Question: I've been job searching in various cities, and I have my first phone interview coming up. Since I've never had a phone interview, I'm a little nervous about it. Are there any special things I should know about phone interviews?
Answer: It is 7:45 in the morning, you are still in your pajamas, and the phone rings. It's time for an interview. This seems normal, right?
The fact is phone interviews are on the rise. Why? Quite simply, it's inexpensive, and it's an easy way for the recruiting director to screen candidates efficiently. It takes more time and money -- especially for out-of-towners -- to interview candidates in person.
Having conducted hundreds of phone interviews, I can tell you candidates make a lot of mistakes. As you might imagine, the biggest one is that you happen to sound quite boring.
You lose a lot of personality when you talk on the phone versus meeting someone in person. When you add the fact that people tend to be more serious in an interview than in normal situations, the problem is compounded.
Here are some tips to ace that next phone interview:
1. Be prepared.
Just like any interview, you should do a few mock interviews before the real deal. Think about your answers to popular interview questions, and be familiar with the company and the job description. You should also have a pencil and paper on hand, and place a glass of water by the phone to quench a dry throat.
2. Put your game face on.
I'm not suggesting that you have to wear your three-piece suit, but don't be sitting there in sweatpants and a T-shirt. Wake up early, take a shower, and dress decently. If you feel professional, you are more likely to sound professional.
3. Talk beforehand.
There's nothing worse than picking up the phone, saying hello, and sounding croaky. For those morning interviews, make sure you have spoken a few sentences out loud before interview time.
4. Go old school -- talk on a land line.
This may be tough for some of you, but you definitely want to get on a land line, preferably a corded land line. I've had people's cell phones go dead or suffer from such serious static that we had to cut the call short. Not a good way to go.
Also, make sure you are in a silent environment. Cafes, parks, or the bus don't make for ideal interviewing locations. You won't be as focused, and they can hear all that background noise.
5. Be overly animated.
This is where most candidates fail. As I mentioned above, phone interviews tend to be boring. Why? I don't see the twinkle in your eye, and I can't catch the smile or nod that you make. You're a bit nervous to begin with, so you come off as monotone and personality-less.
Here's what you do: Get excited! Stand up, talk with your hands and plaster a smile on your face. It sounds crazy, but it will work. If you can get one of those Janet Jackson headsets, that's even better. Use both hands when you talk. You may think you're going overboard, but when it comes through on the other end, it sounds so much more engaging and interesting. It helps you come to life.
Phone interviews can work to your advantage -- if you do them right.
Brad Karsh is president of JobBound, a career consulting and resume-writing firm. One of the nation's leading job search experts, Brad Karsh is author of "Confessions of a Recruiting Director." If you have a question for Brad, email him at jobtalkin@yahoo.com.
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