Phone Interview Tips - Hire Imaging

Phone Interview Tips - Hire Imaging Employers use phone interviews as a way of identifying and recruiting candidates. Phone interviews are often used to screen candidates in order to narrow the pool of applicants who will be invited for face-to-face interviews. They also help employers minimize their expenses in interviewing out-of-town candidates. While youre in a job search, its important to be prepared for a phone interview on a moments notice. You never know when an employer or recruiter might call and ask if you have a few minutes to talk. It could be out of the blue once youve submitted your resume or application. Phone Interviews: Be Prepared A phone interview IS an interview. Prepare for it as you would for a face-to-face interview. Be ready with a list of your strengths and weaknesses, as well as answers to typical interview questions (Why should we hire you? and Tell Us How You Would ___ etc.). Plan on being prepared for a phone conversation about your background and skills. Keep your résumé in full view, on the top of your desk, taped to the wall near the phone etc. You want it to be at your fingertips when you need to answer questions. Have a short list of your accomplishments available to review. Be prepared to talk about what makes you unique. Whats your brand? Be prepared to answer with specifics beyond fluff, i.e. team player etc. Have a pen and paper handy for note taking; or have your word-processing program open to electronically take notes. Turn call-waiting off so your call isnt interrupted. Clear the room of distractions: kids, pets, stereo, TV etc. Try to go to a secluded corner or room; close the door if you can. If the time is really not convenient (you certainly cant ignore a toddler if youre in charge, for example), then ask if you can talk at another time; suggest alternatives that are not too far out. Phone Interviews: Practice. Like most things, talking on a phone interview takes some practice. Have a friend or family member conduct a mock interview and tape record it so you can hear how you sound over the phone. Youll be able to hear your ums and uhs and whatever else you dont like. Also rehearse answers to those typical questions you might be asked. Note: Dont try to anticipate all the questions youll be asked, however. Youll end up being too focused on anticipating rather than listening!! The idea is to think of some of them; and to rehearse how your answers will sound. For interview coaching and practice, contact me. Phone Interviews: During the Interview While it may seem obvious and a no duh, many people do make the mistake of smoking, chewing gum, eating or drinking while on the phone. Dont! The exception to the drinking rule is that you SHOULD keep a glass of water handy, in case your mouth gets dry. Sip it! Smile!!! Smiling will project a positive image to the listener and will change the tone of your voice. Speak slowly and enunciate clearly (again, practice). Use the persons title (Mr. or Ms.) and their last name. Only use a first name if they ask you to. Dont interrupt the interviewer. Listen, listen, listen!! Take your time. Its okay to take a moment or two to collect your thoughts. Dont ramble. Give short answers. Remember that your goal is to set up a face-to-face meeting. After you thank the interviewer, ask if and when it would be possible to meet in person. Phone Interviews: Bonus Tips Depending on the company, you might be screened by a human resource professional, a third-party recruiter or even the hiring manager. HR folks typically ask questions to verify that you have the right skills to do the job, i.e., right degree and certification, number of years experience, etc. Recruiters or hiring managers typically ask more in-depth questions. Here are a few you might want to anticipate: What are the primary duties you perform in your current/most recent position? What is the most significant project or suggestion youve initiated in your career? What types of decisions do you frequently make in your current/most recent position? How do you go about making them? How many years of experience do you have with _____ [the type of product or service you will be providing at the company]? Why are you leaving your current employer? Or Why did you leave your last employer? What do you know about our company? Why are you the best candidate for the position? When would you be available? Is the salary range for the position within your acceptable range? What questions do you have? Phone Interviews: 3 Good Questions to Ask How would you describe the ideal candidate for this position? What are the top-priority projects or tasks for this position in the next three to six months? How does this position fit into the companys long-term plans? Notice Ive not given you questions to ask around salary or benefits. Its important at this early stage to focus on what you can learn about how you might contribute value to the company or department. Then you should use this information to position yourself as valuable, and move toward the face-to-face interview.