A telephone interview is not very different from one face to face, but employers still use this method to pre-test the candidates that are called for a real interview. The candidates' perspectives vary and many of them are tense without reason. You can be the lucky or the perfect one if you know how to turn your cards in your favor and if you put in place a few little tricks that will help.
The big difference between the interviews by telephone and those face to face is that the employer and the interviewee cannot see each other. Secondly, the label for a phone conversation differs from that for a face to face conversation. Here are some tips that will ensure your invitation to a real interview:
- When you show the desire to participate in a telephone interview, specify a time when you are at home. During that time you avoid using mobile phones; because using them might give rise to various problems such as a bad connection, lack of signal or battery discharge.
- If it is your first telephone interview or you do not feel at ease regarding the telephone interview, do a little rehearsal with one of your friends.
- Make sure you are at home at the appointed time and you have not put on the phone robot or the fax machine, so that it can bother the employer.
- Have your resume at hand, a list of accomplishments, and a pen with a sheet, in case you have to write down something.
- Turn off the TV or radio and make sure it does not make any noise.
- Be careful that the kids should be in another room, in order not to bother you.
It is very important to note that you should be patient and careful. Because you are not face-to-face with your interviewer, the pauses can be embarrassing. The employer may think about a question that may be connected with the preceding one. Be patient, but do not be afraid to post questions if you have any queries, too.
When you are involved into a phone interview, you have to respect some etiquette rules:
- Do not do anything that might interrupt the conversation. Do not eat, drink or smoke while talking on the phone.
- Always answer the phone. If you cannot get home at the appointed time, then you would better ask someone in your place to answer the phone. If it is not possible, then call on and tell the employer that you have a problem and you are not available at the appointed time.
- Ask who is on the phone and make sure it is about the interview. If you have good reasons to reschedule the interview, explain what they are and set a date and time you can call again.
- When you answer the questions, use the family name of your interlocutor.
- It is good to think a bit before giving answers. Set forth clearly and give them short answers, but to the point.
- Avoid coughing or sneezing, and if you cannot avoid, then apologize.
- Smile can be "heard" on the phone, so you would better be smiling like to a real interview.
- Avoid answering "yes" or "no". Try to work out the answer.
- Discuss about the salary unless the employer brings it.
- You should not enter into conflict with the person interviewing you.
Respect these rules and you'll pass well over this task.
