With hundreds of candidates applying for the same position in today’s job market, employers are increasingly conducting job interviews on the telephone to identify and recruit candidates for employment. Have you ever had an interview on the telephone? How did it go? How did you prepare?
I was recently approached by an employer to help screen and interview administrative professional candidates over the telephone to fill an administrative support vacancy. I was delighted to accept this invitation and looked forward to talking with administrative professionals who were seeking the same career I so enjoy.
While interviewing administrative professionals over the telephone for several hours, I discovered that not all candidates had thoroughly prepared for the job interview. With telephone interviews becoming more of a common practice in today’s recruitment process, it’s critical that professionals prepare as though the interview was taking place face-to-face.
Here are some tips to help candidates better prepare for a telephone interview:
- Be prepared. Make sure you printed, read, and studied the job description. Take the time to thoroughly research and learn about the business and/or employer: products, services, mission statement, community involvements, etc. Compile lists of important points and be prepared to share stories and examples that relate to your experience and qualifications. Keep printed lists and documentation that you may want to refer to in front of you on a table (don’t be flipping back and forth in a notepad while the interviewer hears you wrestling with your papers). Research possible interview questions and prepare answers in advance of the telephone interview so you can be prepared to share specific skills, examples, and key points.
- Have paper and pen handy. Have a pad of paper in front of you with a working pen to jot down notes.
- Listen. Use that paper and pen in front of you. Write down the questions the interviewer is asking you or jot down notes from the information the interviewer is sharing with you.
- Give concise, targeted answers. Take a few moments (if necessary) to collect your thoughts during the interview. You don’t have to rush to give an answer. Do not ramble!
- Role play. Interview preparation should not take minutes the day or two before the interview. Interview preparation should take hours if not days if you really want to secure the position. Several years ago my sister Jennifer was preparing for a job interview in a key management position. For days and weeks, Jennifer was calling my mom, sister, and me asking us to role play with her over the phone. We asked different questions, so she could become better prepared with her responses. With tremendous preparation and confidence, my sister nailed each of those next subsequent job interviews and landed that job. She has been with the same employer now for nearly a decade.
- Stand and smile. Consider standing and smiling so you can project greater energy over the phone. Remember, the interviewer cannot see you over the phone. Therefore, job candidates really need to learn how to sell their skills, knowledge, and experience over the phone using only verbal communication tools. You can “feel” a smile!
- Environment. Make sure you have a good phone connection. Remove any possible disruptions or distractions during the telephone interview (turn off phone ringers; be someplace quiet and alone.)
Remember, the resume gets you the job interview. YOU secure the job through your interview skills and being able to convey to the potential employer that you are the best candidate for the job. I truly believe more job candidates can be more successful in their job interview if they take more time to thoroughly prepare for the position.