| First, let me say that the old adage "You never get a | | | | for each one (very short and to the point). Be aware |
| second chance to make a first impression" is just as | | | | that they are listening for sticking power as they |
| true for phone interviews as it is for face-to-face. For | | | | consider you for the position. "Will this person be |
| that reason, being well-prepared and attentive to the | | | | around long enough for our company to realize their |
| details of the interview process can put you ahead of | | | | value and justify our investment in them?" is a question |
| your competition. With that in mind, let's cover some | | | | that is usually revolving in their mind. |
| basic ideas that will help give you a "leg up" on the | | | | 6. Have 2-3 questions prepared for your interviewer |
| process. | | | | (no more). Typically, an interviewer will ask you if you |
| 1. First, do some basic research. Go and review the | | | | have any questions. This represents a real opportunity |
| company's website, giving particular attention to their | | | | to impress your interviewer. The questions you ask |
| "About Us" pages, product line pages, and any other | | | | can reveal a great deal about your intelligence, insight |
| content areas that are relevant to your particular | | | | about the position, and/or the value that you might |
| position. It always impresses an interviewer when the | | | | bring to an organization. |
| candidate demonstrates that they are familiar with the | | | | 7. Be very, very, careful not to talk too much or too |
| company and its mission, product lines, etc. Also, | | | | little. Be very attentive to social cues that your |
| consider reading any recent press releases on the | | | | interviewer is wanting either more information |
| company if these are available. If possible, research | | | | regarding a question or wants to interject a comment |
| the people who will be involved in the interview and | | | | during the discussion. Many candidates lose points |
| learn as much about their backgrounds as you can. | | | | during an interview because they either talk too much |
| 2. Second, you will want to have an updated copy of | | | | (provide more detail than necessary for a given |
| your resume sitting in front of you during the interview. | | | | question) OR they don't provide enough information to |
| Frequently, the interviewer will want to walk down | | | | really answer the question being asked. If you are |
| through your career history during the interview and | | | | uncertain of your ability to strike this balance, do a |
| having that information front and center will be quite | | | | practice interview with someone you consider to be a |
| helpful. For face-to-face interviews, bring at least four | | | | strong interviewer. Give them the job description and |
| copies of your resume to the interview. | | | | then ask them to ask you questions...follow-up by |
| 3. Review the job description itself and think of how | | | | asking for their candid feedback. |
| you would respond to questions related to each of the | | | | 8. Do you want the interviewer to call you on your cell |
| identified job requirements. Be aware that your | | | | phone or a land line? Obviously, a land line is more |
| interviewer is listening for specific illustrations of how | | | | reliable but is not always convenient or available. |
| you have demonstrated that skill in past work | | | | 9. Prepare a brief "Thank You" note after the |
| environments and, equally important, how you are | | | | interview and have someone well-versed in spelling |
| going to bring value to their company with that skill in | | | | and grammar proof it for you. If you are working with |
| the future. Remember that your interviewer is looking | | | | a reputable recruiting firm, they should be able to help |
| to see "How you are going to bring value to their | | | | you with the proofing and tweaking process. They are |
| company?" throughout the interview. | | | | in a unique position to provide feedback since they |
| 4. For the interview itself, make sure that you are in a | | | | have first hand knowledge of the client, their culture, |
| quiet place where you do not have to worry about | | | | and the unique qualifications for the particular position. |
| any interruptions. You don't want dogs barking in the | | | | Since they often are the only ones with the hiring |
| background, people opening or closing doors, phones | | | | manager's email address and given that they may not |
| ringing, or any other background noise to threaten the | | | | be allowed to give it out, ask them to forward it for |
| quality of the process. Be prepared to receive the | | | | you. Also, consider sending a hard copy directly to the |
| interviewer's call up to 10 minutes early or late...some | | | | hiring manager, being sure to use high quality stationary. |
| interviewers will check a candidate's flexibility this way, | | | | Provided your penmanship is strong a hand-written |
| trying to determine either preparation or frustration. | | | | note is a nice touch. |
| Others may simply have an unexpected interruption | | | | Doing your homework before your interview will pay |
| that comes up on their end. | | | | great dividends and set you apart from your |
| 5. Interviewers are always interested in why past job | | | | competition. |
| transitions took place. Have an elevator speech ready | | | | |