| Smile while you talk. Did you know that people can | | | | Remove all distractions. Get rid of all unnecessary |
| hear you smile? People who listened to someone | | | | noise-makers during your interview. The kids, the pets, |
| speak, but were not able to see them, were able to | | | | televisions, radios, and computer videos should not be |
| correctly identify when the speaker was smiling. Smiling | | | | within hearing range while you are having your |
| into the phone receiver is a great way to show that | | | | interview. |
| you have a pleasant personality and will get along well | | | | Here are some more tips to remember during your |
| with other employees. | | | | telephone interview: |
| Dress up. If you put on your professional work clothes | | | | *Speak slowly and clearly. It's OK to take a few |
| while you are on the telephone, your professionalism | | | | seconds to collect your thoughts. |
| will also shine through. When you are wearing casual | | | | *Don't smoke, chew gum, eat, or drink. |
| clothes, the tone of your voice comes across as much | | | | *Address the interviewer by their title (Mr. or Ms.) and |
| more casual than if you are wearing a suit or dress. | | | | their last name. Don't use their first name unless they |
| Keep important papers nearby. Have a copy of the | | | | ask you to. |
| job description and your resume in front of you when | | | | *Don't interrupt the interviewer. |
| you have your phone interview. That's a good way to | | | | *Don't go into extensive details over the phone. Keep |
| talk about your experience on your resume as it | | | | your answers short and save the details for a |
| pertains to the position description they are interviewing | | | | face-to-face interview. |
| you for. Have a pen and paper handy also to take | | | | *Thank the interviewer and ask if it would be possible |
| notes if needed. | | | | to meet in person. |
| Avoid telephone interruptions during your interview. A | | | | You don't get a second chance to make a first |
| call-waiting signal can disrupt your train or thought or | | | | impression. Your telephone interview is the first |
| interfere with hearing what the interviewer is saying. | | | | impression the interviewer will have and will determine |
| You can disable call-waiting on most phones by dialing | | | | whether you advance to a face-to-face interview. |
| *70 first. When you are finished with your interview | | | | Take advantage of the resources at to make sure |
| and hang up, your call-waiting feature will automatically | | | | your first impression really blows them away! |
| be reactivated. | | | | |