6 Tips for a Successful Telephone Interview

There are several types of interviews that are conducted to recruit and hire top talent. To start off this series on types of interviews, let’s take a look at what may be considered the most over looked interview: the telephone interview. This is the process of screening out candidates who do not articulate their skills and accomplishments effectively.nnThe Telephone Interview is usually initiated in one of three ways 1. In response to your résumé submission 2. A predetermined scheduled time and date or 3. You’ve contacted the employer for information and an impromptu assessment of your skills and qualifications is conducted. Recruiters and hiring managers use telephone interviews to quickly clarify your skills and how they qualify you for the position you for which you have applied. nnFollow these steps to ensure you make the most out of your telephone interview to guarantee you are selected for an in person interview.nnStep 1. Prepare yourself. Make sure you have all the materials you sent to the employer and research you’ve conducted readily available (résumé, cover letter, references & the job description). When the employer calls, you’ll know what they need, be able to articulate how you can help them and speak intelligently about who they are. Don’t forget your pen and pad to take notes.nnStep 2. Control background noise. If you are driving in your car, DO NOT answer the phone. Have you tried talking to someone while the wind is blowing or their radio is blasting? If you are at home, be sure to turn down the TV, radio, etc. and let your family/friends know that you are job searching and expecting employers to call you.nnStep 3. Answer the phone when you are ready. If you have a house full of people, you’re out shopping in the grocery store, or again, driving in your car, DO NOT answer the phone. If your cell phone is your primary means of communication, you will usually have recognized contacts programmed in your phone. If you do not recognize the number, do not pick up. The last thing you want to do is participate in a telephone interview when you’re not ready to take the call. Let the call go to voicemail and return it when you are prepared. (See Step 1 and Step 2)nnStep 4. Smile as you speak. That sounds so cliché, but it works. Try it. The next time you’re on the phone, ask the person you are speaking with to smile as they speak, you can actually hear it through the phone. Your excitement and enthusiasm speaks volumes. nnStep 5. Record a professional message on your voicemail or answering machine. DO NOT have your favorite music artist on your voicemail or your children or grandchildren. As a recruiter, I can’t tell you how frustrating and unprofessional this comes across. If you don’t like to record your voice, allow the default recording to pick up. After you’ve secured a job, feel free to change it.n nStep 6. Ask for the sale: What is the next step? Get the complete contact information of the person you are speaking with. This is an opportunity to build your professional network, and you want to make sure you can send this person a thank you note. nnIn the article to follow, we will discuss the in person, on-site, face-to-face interview. Now that you’ve successfully mastered the telephone interview, it’s important to continue your winning streak to secure an offer of employment.