How to Effectively Interview For a Job Over The Phone

Treat the telephone interview as formally as you would an in-person interview.

Many companies use the telephone interview as an inexpensive way to screen candidates for an open position.The phone interview is meant to determine whether you have the skills and background to do the job. Your mission is to pass this initial test so that you can score an in-person interview.

Things You'll Need

• Your telephone
• Your resume
• A friend to help you practice your phone interviewing skills

Instructions

1. Keep a copy of your updated resume with you as you interview. You may refer to it during the interview so that you get specific dates right. You may also refer to it to point to experiences that make you perfect for the job.

2. Convey enthusiasm and professionalism even though the interviewer can't see you. Stand up while you talk so that you can feel like you're ready for action. Smile as much as possible; smiling can change your tone of voice and can actually help you convey positivity and enthusiasm over the phone. Look at yourself in a mirror as you smile while talking. Doing so can help you create a sense of friendliness. Some job experts even suggest getting dressed in your interview best so that you may feel authoritative and professional as you talk over the phone.

3. Be honest about your work history just as you would in a face to face interview. Don't fudge or elaborate on an experience just to get the in-person interview. If you don't have experience with a particular skill or process, say that you don't, but mention that you're a fast learner and give a real example of a time when you picked up a new skill rather quickly.

4. Don't just give yes or no answers to questions. Provide specific examples that detail how you mastered a specific skill or when you used a specific skill in your work history.

5. Be professional at all time and avoid being too conversational or casual. Address the interviewer formally with "Mr.," "Mrs." or "Ms." Don't get personal about your life. Stick to talking about the position and how you fit with the company.

6. Practice responses to questions before the phone interview. Ask a friend to pretend she is the phone interviewer, and have a "fake" phone interview to sharpen your skills. Prepare responses to common interview questions such as who you are and your work background, why you would be a good fit for the position, and weakness and strength questions.

7. Schedule the interview for a time when you can ensure that you'll have no distractions. Go to a quiet room. Turn off call waiting if possible, turn off the television or radio.

8. Take notes during the interview. The phone interview is also a great opportunity to keep a cheat sheet in front of you for questions you'd like to ask the interviewer and for specific points about your experiences that you wish to emphasize.

9. Repeat questions back to the interviewer to show him that you're listening, This also gives you time to formulate a response.

Tips & Warnings

• Every ah, um and hum is accentuated over the phone. Speak clearly and slowly so that you may monitor your speech and eliminate these word fillers.

• Two things that will kill your chances of getting an in-person interview are elaborating on questions the interviewer didn't ask you and being overly casual in your conversation.

References

• Oklahoma State Career Services: Handling Phone Interviews