It’s no secret that times are tough, and one way employers have found to save time and money is to do initial job interviews over the phone. But just because you won’t be sitting across the desk from Mr. Interviewer yet does not mean you can chill in bed watching TV while half your brain takes the call and the other half plays Cash Cab. Although a phone interview can be less stressful for you and the recruiter in many ways, you still have to work extra hard to impress on the phone because you can’t send or receive visual clues.
This week, I compiled five of the best posts on the web about how to perform better in phone interviews.
1. Telephone Interview Secrets by hiremyparents
In this post by hiremyparents support, the author makes a phone interview sound a lot like method acting. The post suggests dressing in business attire for the interview so you will be in professional mode, practicing interview questions aloud before the call and smiling during the call. In a way you will be putting on a performance, one starring you as your best possible self.
2. Five Ways to do Better in Phone Interviews by Penelope Trunk at Brazen Careerist
Ms. Trunk’s post points out that standing up and walking around during the call can make you project a more natural and therefore more likable persona. She likens the interview to selling oneself and reminds the reader to close the sale by politely trying to get an in-person interview scheduled before the end of the call.
3. Win in Telephone Job Interviews by JobsDFW Blog
Blogger Julia Penny reminds us that the job candidate in a phone interview must overcome the lack of visual cues. For example, you must concentrate even more intensely on what the interviewer is saying so you can tell whether he or she is engaged in the conversation and you can act accordingly.
4. Don’t Say Hello in a Phone Interview by Interview Angel
Brent Peterson’s bluntly funny post underscores the importance of a professional demeanor from the first instant of the call. Answer the phone, he says, by identifying yourself . Act as though you are the receptionist for the corporation of you.
5. Telephone Interviews are as Easy as 1-2-3! by BullsEyeResumes Career Blog
BullsEyeCareers posts about what they believe are the three most important components of the phone interview: energy, tone and clarity. Especially striking is the blogger’s warning to limit sarcasm and negativity because, since you can’t see the interviewer, you don’t know how they are coming across. Remember, you won’t be able to use emoticons here.
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