How to Ace a Screening Job Interview

Screening job interview calls are tactics many companies use to decide whether or not to bring you in for a personal meeting. Often these calls come unannounced, leaving you in a precarious position if you are dealing with your children, working on another project or simply unavailable. Here are some tips for making the most of screening job interview calls.

Instructions

Get Ready for the Call

1. Take 20 minutes to prepare for an unexpected call. Place pen and paper next to your phone to ensure you are prepared for a screening interview at all times, and create a short list of accomplishments and work history to reference during calls. Be sure to keep this list next to your phone, as well.

2. Keep a copy of your resume in a convenient place. You should be able to access it immediately if you need to during an interview over the phone.

3. Instruct family members on the proper way to take a message from a recruiting company if you are not available. This means accurately writing down names, numbers and other pertinent information.

Receive the Call on Your Terms

1. Take a moment to gather yourself. Ask the person to hold a moment while you move to a quieter area or simply take a deep breath.

2. If the interviewer reaches you at a very bad time, ask if you can call him or her back. It simply isn't practical to take a call during dinner time or when you are at a child's school event.

3. Speak slowly and clearly. Many people talk fast when they are nervous, so avoid this by deliberately taking your time with each answer.

4. Do not eat, drink, smoke or chew gum during your conversation. Present yourself appropriately and in the best possible light.

5. Be positive and smile. The interviewer will sense your enthusiasm through the phone.

Thank the Interviewer

1. Say a genuine thank-you to the caller and get off the phone. Even if you don't get an answer as to whether or not you will move on in the interview process, it never hurts to be polite and courteous of another's time.

2. Send a thank-you note.

Tips & Warnings

• Online job search sites can give you a unique insight into what companies are looking for and how you should conduct a screening job interview by phone.

• Many companies also post their hiring practices and employee conduct on their own Web sites. Knowing this information ahead of time can give you an advantage over other candidates.

• Don't answer any questions about your race, age, marital status, religion or sexual orientation in a screening (or any) job interview. Under U.S. Federal law, it is illegal for companies to conduct inquires about or discriminate because of such information.