Learn how to impress your interviewer during phone interviews to be considered for your dream job.
Since an in-person job interview requires considerable amount of time investment on the part of the employer and the applicant, a lot of companies schedule an initial phone interview before finally bringing the most qualified candidates for a more serious discussion. Basically, the company’s human resource department will choose the most suitable applicants and call them up individually to see who would be a good fit for the position.?
Recognizing the importance of phone interviews in helping you land your dream job, you need to learn how to convey your professionalism, interest and passion for the job even if the interviewer can’t see you. Needless to say, the lack of face-to-face interaction in such situations can be a serious challenge so you need to learn how to respond appropriately to impress your interviewer. Here are some suggestions that can help you do just that.
Tips to Ace Your Phone Interview
- Secure relevant information. Get the name and contact details of the person who scheduled you for an interview, find out who will be making the call and how long the call will take. If possible, find everything you can about your interviewer. It helps if you know more about the person you will be talking to.
- Do your research. Learn more about the company and review the job description so that you can confidently talk about how your experiences make you suitable for the position.?
- Be prepared. Prepare a list of great questions to show your enthusiasm for the job and the company, and think of ways by which you can contribute to the continued growth of the organization. Tape a copy of your resume and all the information you need during the phone interview within eye level for easy reference. Be prepared to explain everything on your resume, including job transitions and employment gaps, if there are any.
- Control your environment. Make sure that you are in a quiet room during your interview. Isolate yourself from any distractions and use a landline whenever possible. If you don’t have one, make sure your cell phone is fully charged to reduce the risk of being disconnected during the call.
- Lower your defenses. Don’t get defensive when the interviewer asks you about any issues (age, frequent job transitions, employment gaps, etc.) that you are uncomfortable with. Answer all questions in a factual way and move on.
- Take your time. It is perfectly acceptable to ask your interviewer to repeat the question to give you some time to think about your response. However, you should avoid long-winded answers if you want to create a good impression.?
- Focus. Concentrate. Take notes during the call and make sure all your replies are on point.
- Be professional. Remember, interviews are not all about answering the questions your interviewer throws at you. Your interviewer is also gauging your personality, confidence level, and communication skills.
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