Today, more and more, employers and recruiters use phone interviews as a tool for screening candidates for employment. A phone interview can be just as important as a face-to-face interview. Just like an in-person interview, a successful phone interview will get you to the next stage of the hiring process.
A successful phone interview embraces five key elements:
1. Be yourself at your best: Don’t try to be someone you’re not–be yourself–just make sure to present the best version of yourself.
2. Prepare, Prepare, Prepare:
Make a list of your strengths and weaknesses
Be prepared to answer questions about your background and skills
Keep your resume and, if you have one, the job description at your fingertips
Have a pen and paper ready
Keep distractions to a minimum: clear the room, close the door
Use a landline instead of a cell phone to avoid dropped calls
3. Listen. Think. Speak: Listen to each question fully, without interrupting the interviewer. Then, take a few seconds to put your answer together, before just blurting something out.
4. Be confident, professional, and assertive: Use this time to impress the interviewer by radiating confidence. It will come across over the phone, convincing the interviewer you are a strong candidate for the job. Speak professionally, and be assertive by letting him/her know you want the job. Speak clearly! Speaking too quickly and/or mumbling will end your chance at the job.
5. Be brief. Be bold. Be done: Keep to the point by answering the questions directly–be precise. By giving impressive answers that portray your particular talents you will leave a lasting impression with the interviewer so that you stand out among the rest of the candidates vying for the position.
For additional assistance in your job search:
Log on to http://www.myhamilton.ca/articles/job-discovery-centres and check out the services available at the Hamilton Public Library’s Job Discovery Centres.
Submitted by Job Discovery Centres @ Hamilton Public Library
