by Martin Yate
21. July 2009 10:27
| Employers use telephone interviews to save time and weed out as many candidates as possible. Your goal for a telephone interview is to turn it into a face-to-face meeting, so clearing telephone interview hurdle is a critical step in generating a job offer.
Telephone interviews often happen unexpectedly: in the midst of uneventful networking calls, as the result of a resume sent out weeks ago, or even as the result of a short phone conversation from the other afternoon. Telephone interviews are going to occur frequently during your job search.
With telephone interviews the employer has only ears with which to judge you.
If you are heading out the door for an interview or some other emergency makes this a bad time for an unexpected incoming call, say so straight away and re-schedule, "I'm just heading out the door for an appointment Ms Bassett, can we schedule a time when I will call you back?" Beware of over-familiarity, you should always refer to the interviewer by his or her surname until invited to do otherwise.
If the kids are screaming or dogs barking, stay calm: "Thank you for calling, Mr. Wooster, would you wait just a moment while I close the door?" Put the call on hold, take a minute to calm yourself, call up the company website and get your paperwork organized.
Take a few controlled, deep breaths to slow down your pounding heart, put a smile on your face (it improves the timbre of your voice), and pick up the phone again. Now you are in control of yourself and the situation.
Allow the interviewer to guide the conversation-and to ask most of the questions, but keep up your end of the conversation by asking a few questions of your own.
The following questions will give you an excellent idea of why the position is open, and exactly the kind of skilled professional the company will eventually hire,
"What are the major responsibilities in this job?"
"What will be the first project(s) I tackle?" ...........Read More
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Martin Yate CPC
NY Times Business Bestseller
10 books in 25 languages
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