| Preparing for an interview over the phone is primarily a | | | | you would like the job; he cares about how you can |
| mental exercise, and something that is easy to | | | | help his company if you are hired. |
| prepare for. It is the second impression that you will | | | | Step four is, on the morning of the interview get |
| make on a hiring decision maker - the first impression | | | | dressed. Wear the same clothes when you are on the |
| was obviously made for you by your resume and | | | | phone that you would wear if you were in front of the |
| cover letter, and must have been positive, or you | | | | interviewer in person. Dress for success and your |
| would not have this interview appointment. That being | | | | attitude will reflect it. Dress in your pajamas or an old |
| the case, it is worth while to prepare for it and be | | | | sweat shirt and your attitude may reflect that as well. |
| ready to put your best foot forward. | | | | Step five is to smile. Smiles are contagious, even if |
| Step one in getting yourself mentally prepared is to | | | | they can't be seen. Good salesmen know this and |
| rehearse. Practice in front of the mirror, or with a friend | | | | practice smiling on the phone. There is something in |
| or your spouse listening to you, asking questions and | | | | your voice and attitude that is conveyed when you |
| playing the part of the interviewer. Make a list of | | | | smile, and the person on the other end of the phone |
| questions you expect the interviewer to ask and have | | | | can sense it. There is truth in the old saying, "Smile and |
| good answers prepared, but have them on the top of | | | | the world smiles with you." It is basic human nature. |
| your head in general and not memorized. Memorized | | | | Step six is to speak clearly and enunciate. Use a good |
| answers can sound canned and not real, and will not | | | | quality phone, a land line not a cordless. If at all possible |
| help you. You need to appear genuine and real. | | | | do not use a cellular phone for the interview. Crackling |
| Step two is preparing and practicing two or three | | | | noises are distractions and bad cell sites, leading to |
| ideas that you want to get across to the interviewer | | | | dropped calls, are a negative. You only want positives |
| as to why you are the right person for this job. If you | | | | during your phone interview. |
| are having trouble thinking of ideas, read your resume | | | | Step seven is the interview itself. Relax, be yourself |
| again. Look for the key points, qualifications or | | | | and do your best. When it is over remember to thank |
| accomplishments you have written, and be ready to | | | | the interviewer for his or her time, and offer to provide |
| discuss them. | | | | any other information they might need to make a |
| Step three is to think of what you can do for the | | | | decision. Be professional and you may well be |
| company. The hiring manager really doesn't care why | | | | rewarded with a job. |