What Do I Expect From a Phone Interview?
According to CNN, in 2010 there was an average of eight applicants for every one job opening. In a competitive job market with many applicants vying for positions, employers routinely use phone interviews to narrow the field. While traditionally, the phone interview was short and sweet, it has become common to be in depth and formal.
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Intensive Interview Questions
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According to the Wall Street Journal, job recruiters are no longer using the phone interview as a simple way to separate applicants who deserve an in-person interview from those who don't. Phone interviews can be as intensive as an in-person interview with times that may range from 10 minutes to more than an hour. Applicants should be ready to field questions about their work history, skills, philosophies and educational background.
Formal Conversation
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Interviewing over the phone presents a trap for some job applicants: being lulled into a false comfort zone. It may be easy to forget that the person on the other end of the line is not a friend or family member, but rather a person who is trying to fill a job position. The tone and cadence of the conversation ought to be measured and formal, just as it would be in a face-to-face interview. Applicants can instill a sense of formality by conducting the interview in a quiet place and being sure to avoid distractions such as the radio or television set.
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Make it a Good First Five Minutes
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According to CNN, job applicants have about five minutes to make a good impression on the employer during a phone interview. CNN suggests applicants follow much of the same techniques used in a face-to-face interview to make a good impression. These include being excited for the interview, avoiding negative words and having a list of questions ready for the employer.
Schedule the Interview at a Mutually Convenient Time
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Phone interviews ought to be scheduled at times that are mutually convenient. The job applicant needs time to prepare a quiet place for the interview, and the employer should not be expected to jump through hoops to meet the applicant's schedule. According to the Westminster Group, a job recruiting agency, it is proper phone etiquette for the applicant to wait for the employer to call first. If the applicant has not heard from the employer after 15 minutes, Westminster Group suggests calling the company to follow up.
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