| It is 7:45 in the morning, you are still in your pajamas, | | | | sentences out loud (to yourself, your spouse, or even |
| and the phone rings. It's time for an interview. This | | | | your dog) before it's interview time. |
| seems normal, right? | | | | 3. Go old school - talk on a land line |
| Phone interviews are on the rise. Why? Quite simply, it | | | | This may be tough for some of you, but you definitely |
| is inexpensive, and it's an easy way for the Recruiting | | | | want to get on a land line. Preferably a corded land line |
| Director to screen candidates efficiently. It takes more | | | | (remember those). I've had people's cell phones go |
| time and money - especially for out-of-towners - to | | | | dead or suffer from such serious static that we had to |
| interview candidates in person. | | | | cut the call short. Not a good way to go. Also, make |
| If you are looking for a job, you better be prepared for | | | | sure you are in a silent environment. Cafes, parks, or |
| a phone interview. It is going to happen whether you | | | | the bus don't make for ideal interviewing locations. You |
| like it or not. Having conducted hundreds of phone | | | | won't be as focused, and they can hear all that |
| interviews, I can tell you candidates make a lot of | | | | background noise. |
| mistakes. As you might imagine, the biggest one is that | | | | 4. Be overly animated |
| you happen to sound quite boring. | | | | I mentioned above, phone interviews tend to be boring. |
| You lose a lot of personality when you talk on the | | | | Why? I don't see the twinkle in your eye, and I can't |
| phone versus meeting someone in person. When you | | | | catch the smile or nod that you make. You're a bit |
| add the fact that people tend to be more serious in an | | | | nervous to begin with, so you come off as monotone |
| interview than in normal situations, the problem is | | | | and personality-less. |
| compounded. Here are some tips to ace that next | | | | Here's what you do. Get excited! Stand up, talk with |
| phone interview: | | | | you hands and plaster a smile on your face. It sounds |
| 1. Get your game face on. | | | | crazy, but it will work (just make sure no one is in the |
| I'm not suggesting that you put on the three piece suit, | | | | room with you - you'll look like a fool). If you can get |
| but don't be sitting there in sweatpants and a t-shirt. | | | | one of those Janet Jackson headsets, even better. |
| Wake up early, take a shower and dress decently. | | | | Use both hands when you talk. You may think you're |
| 2. Talk beforehand | | | | going overboard, but when it comes through on the |
| There's nothing worse than picking up the phone, | | | | other end, it sounds so much more engaging and |
| saying hello, and sounding like Peter going through | | | | interesting. It helps you come to life. |
| puberty on the Brady Bunch. For those morning | | | | Phone interviews can work to your advantage - if you |
| interviews, make sure you have spoken a few | | | | do them right. |