How to Ace a Telephone Interview and Get the Job

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Being interviewed for a job over the phone is very different from being grilled in person. To get the gig, you need to tweak your technique.

To complete this How-To you will need:

A quiet place
Your resume
A landline
A professional outgoing message
Research notes
Salary requirements
Role-play partner
Business attire
A thank you note
Headset
A quiet place
Your resume
A landline
A professional outgoing message
Research notes
Salary requirements
Role-play partner
Business attire
A thank you note
Headset

Step 1: Arrange a good time

Arrange a time when you can speak freely without interruptions. That means no kids, dogs, or nosy co-workers anywhere nearby.

Tip: Keep your resume on hand in case an employer calls unannounced.

Step 2: Give good phone

Take the call on a landline; cell phones are vulnerable to poor reception and dropped calls. If you have call waiting, check with your phone service about suspending it during scheduled interviews. Whatever phone number you left as your contact, make sure its outgoing message is professional.

Step 3: Prepare notes

Unlike an in-person interview, you can have notes in front of you. Take advantage by setting up information cheat sheets about the company and your interviewer. Organize your notes in bulleted points so you don't sound rehearsed, and prepare answers to common questions, like, "Why do you want to work for our company?"

Tip: If your interviewer is in another part of the country, check their local news so you'll have some timely icebreakers ready.

Step 4: Know your salary needs

Know your salary requirements. Because phone interviews are sometimes a way to narrow an applicant pool, many prospective employers begin the dialogue with that discussion.

Step 5: Rehearse

Record a mock phone interview with a friend so you can correct any verbal tics like speaking too fast or saying "you know" too often.

Step 6: Make silence golden

Make sure you're far away from anything that could make a distracting sound, and be sure to mute your computer, cell phone, and PDA to avoid interruptions.

Step 7: Give a performance

Sit or stand up straight during the interview, wear something professional, and smile when you speak. You may feel silly, but speech experts say it will make you sound more alert and self-possessed.

Tip: Use a headset if you can. It will allow you to move around and make the gestures you normally make when you speak, which will help you come across as more relaxed and confident.

Step 8: Shut up occasionally

Don't be a blabbermouth. The interviewer is likely taking notes, so give them some time to do so.

Step 9: Send a thank you

End a phone interview the way you would end an in-person one -- by sending a written note or e-mail thanking the interviewer for their time and reiterating your interest in the position.

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Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• hothowtos
• interviewing
• job
• searching
• hunting
• careers
• work
• finding
• phone
• telephone
• acing

[zoemayne]

business atire lol i prefer to be naked

[morrighan02]

lol flushed the toilet xD

[mrzipdisk]

"Sooo... you had a shooting in your town this moring... so thats...neat?"

[enjoyitbro]

I personally prefer in person interviews. Yeah you don't have the notes but you have time to prepare and can use proper body language.

[nellie2581]

@Miguel24Ramirez I do not wearing suits for phone interviews, but since I have to sound professional even on the phone, I am ready to try it. I already know about not flushing the toilet while I am receiving a call, I never tried it, it is so common sense.

[nellie2581]

@stupiditiestloser Me too

[nellie2581]

@BinkieMcFartnuggets That won't get you the job

[nellie2581]

@xrangerx  I agree

[nellie2581]

Thanks

[user111111111111]

portrait of Goddess laxmi hung on wall :)

[martindanny]

i was in a tele interview while i was taking a shit, ended up the person hung up the phone without saying anything