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Handling a Job Interview over the Telephone

Many companies now screen potential candidates by conducting telephone interviews and reducing any face-to-face interviews to the top six or three candidates.

 

Telephone interviews are also used if you and the employer live in different cities. Few employers want to incur expenses to fly a candidate in for an interview unless they have a very strong opinion of the candidate.

 

A screening telephone interview may be a series of questions asked of every candidate; these questions may focus on some of the unstated requirements for the position and the answers allow the employer to eliminate candidates who do not “fit.”

 

Long-distance telephone interviews more closely resemble the first face-to-face interview with a company. Be prepared to have the call last for 30 minutes or more. You will be asked the same kinds of questions you would be asked if you were meeting in the company’s office.

 

Although most companies schedule telephone interviews, there is always chance someone calls and wants to do it “right now.” If this happens to you, ask if you can call them back in five minutes.

 

Use this time to gather your materials and mentally prepare yourself. You might also want to make a note of this in your folder on this company; expecting an instant interview does indicate a lack of courtesy on their part.

 

At least 30-minutes before a scheduled telephone interview get your game face on.

  • Turn off the radio, stereo and television.

  • Disable call waiting or any phone feature that produces sound.

  • Put the dog outside or whatever else it takes to keep down barking.

  • Dress in business clothes; do not take the call in your bathrobe.

  • Comb your hair and does other grooming that helps you project a more business-like attitude.

  • Go into a quiet room and close the door to take the call. Make sure you have a writing surface for taking notes.

  • Assemble your company folder, your resume, the cover letter , and any application you filled out for this company.

  • Put your cheat sheet of answers to anticipated questions on the desk beside you.

Smile!

 

 

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