You CAN Ace Those Phone Interviews

You CAN Ace Those Phone Interviews 6 Tricks to Acing Phone Interviews   You can’t see  them,  and they can’t see you. Does that make you afraid  of  phone interviews?  As the cost of travel increases, the pressure for companies to be more efficient and effective during the hiring process also increases.  Phone calls are used  more and more  by hiring companies to recruit, screen, and interview.   What does that mean for you? You need to be prepared to be as amazing on the phone as you are in a face-to-face meeting! Now,  how will you sell yourself as the BEST product for the hiring company to buy…over the phone?   Advantages  of Phone Interviews   You get to cheat! YES, you should have multiple sheets of paper in front of you    don’t try to navigate on a PC while talking.  At the minimum, have:   Your résumé.   The job description, complete  with any notes or questions you have.   Hard copies  of key webpages for the company (About, Divisions, People, Values).   Top  interview  questions  you expect to be asked  and your 3 bullet-point answers  for each  one.   Top questions you want to ask them.   Paper and pen to write down the questions they are asking and to take notes of their comments, insights, and answers. You will need these for the thank you note you will write immediately following  the interview!   With all this information at your fingertips  you should be able to have great answers and  clearly  express your interest in the position.  Don’t forget to ask to move to the next phase of the interview process!   Disadvantages  of Phone Interviews   (Good news:  You  CAN  overcome them!)   You will have a tendency to ramble. No, you  will  ramble. You are nervous, you want to  convey  so many points, and  you receive  no clues on how you are doing.     It’s harder to understand the question.  This can  happen  for  a variety of reasons:  English as a second language for one or both of you, the interviewer talks quickly, OR the question was just unclear.     You can’t read their non-verbal body language. You don’t know if they are smiling or rolling their eyes. They can’t see your hand motions or  make  eye contact.     Time will run out and you may not have said all you wanted to  say. Tricks  to Ace  Your  Phone Interview Trick #1:  â€œThe Law of Threes:” Say no more than 3 things and stop talking. Repeat: Say no more than 3 things and SHUT UP. This will not only  keep  you from rambling, it  also  gives  the interviewer  time to  think and make notes.     Take a breath. If the interviewer wants more,  he or  she will ask. If you are concerned it was too brief,  then you can ask, “Would you like me to elaborate on any of the points?”   Trick #2:  Ask for Clarification: If you didn’t understand the question, then ask  them  to repeat it. This is not a sign of weakness and it’s important that you answer the right question. Just try not to do this on every question.     Two ways to ask: “Would  you repeat the question please?” or “Would  you expand on the  question,  so I am clear what  it is  you are looking for?”   Trick #3:  Stand Up and Smile! Unless the interview is a web conference,  you can’t see  them  and they can’t see you,  so  stand up when  you’re  on the phone. Your voice will project better and you’ll sound more confident. If you have a headset, use your hands too. Nobody is seeing you, but if it helps you to be in a presentation mode, then do it. I do!     Did you know that smiles come through the phone? Yes, when you  say something  like, “Ms. Miller, I believe I am the best candidate for your position because I’m _____, ____ and ____,” there is a different tonal inflection  when  you have a smile. They will hear a more up-beat, positive candidate.     Trick #4:  Have the Last Word: Time will run out. Toward the end, most interviewers  will  ask if you have any questions. Naturally, you will have  prepared  some excellent questions based on your research. However, that should not be the end.     If the interviewer then says, “Well, Mr. Jones, thank you very much for your time and we will be in touch,” then you want to  add:  â€œMs. Miller, thank  you  very for your time. I would like to reinforce that I  am  passionate about this position and believe I have the skills to be successful in this role. Do you believe I will go to the next step in the hiring process?”   Trick #5:  Block Prep and  â€œTravel”  Time:   Block 30 minutes before  and after  the phone interview in your calendar.  The most  common excuse I hear for being late for a phone interview is, “Sorry, I was on another call.” Well, then you should not have  scheduled back-to-back!   Trick #6:  Be Ready for Video: Beware!  An invitation  to a SKYPE call or a  link to a webinar  is an indicator that it  could  be video. Better to be over-prepared and ready to be seen.  Simply wear professional attire above the waist and check that your video camera and microphone function properly.     Embrace the future!  Phone interviews are here to stay,  and you can  ace  them! Prepare, practice,  and perform to earn the opportunity to get a face-to-face interview next! Join Dana Manciagli’s Job Search Master Class ® right now and immediately access the most comprehensive job search system currently available!