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Acing the phone interview (part 1)
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Many organizations conduct first-round interviews via phone rather than in-person. This environment may seem more relaxed, but be ready to bring your A-game, or you might never reach the in-person interview.
1. Don’t feel pressured to interview at that very moment. Often times, hiring managers will call and ask if you have a few minutes to “chat” about your application. However, this is really your first interview with the organization – and first impressions matter. So, unless you are completely prepared to answer any question the individual might ask, politely say you are interested but would like to schedule the call for later that day or even the following day.
2. Do your homework. Don’t feel that just because you are not staring your interviewer in the eyes that you should be less prepared than for a formal, in-person interview. Thoroughly research the organization, position and interviewer, if possible.
3. Sound professional. Because the interviewer’s only cue is audio, focus on sounding professional, and give your answers slowly and clearly. Don’t use any slang or anything that might be interpreted as slang. Also, be sure not to sound too young (i.e., don’t giggle).
4. Be prepared for tough questions. Phone interviews are the first method of screening (or weeding out) individuals for positions, unless you count the Google search of your name the organization has already conducted. Although you might be asked these same questions again later during the in-person interview, refer back to the articles I’ve written about answering tough interview questions because a few of them will likely pop up during this stage of the hiring process.
5. Have water handy. Before your interview, drink some tea or suck on a throat lozenge to make sure your voice isn’t scratchy or hoarse. Just to be sure, have a glass of water available during the interview in case your mouth goes dry.
How do you know if you aced it? Phone interviews usually last no longer than 15 minutes – and they go by quickly. If the interviewer says, “We'll get back to you,” they likely aren’t interested. Usually, second interviews are arranged right then and there.
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