How to Prepare For a Phone Interview

Part 1 of 3: Phone Interview Research

1)Find the resume that you used to apply for the job. Most applicants tailor their resume and cover letters to the job and business they are applying to. Make sure you are looking at the same document as the hiring manager.

      •       If you are unable to find the document on your computer, find the email application in your "Sent Messages." Print off the attachment before your interview.

2)Find the job description you originally applied to. Review it and memorize the key qualifications your interviewer will be looking for.

      •       Request the job description from the recruiter, if they are interviewing you for a different position.

3)Ask the hiring manager how long the interview will take. The time that is allotted will let you know how important the interview is, or whether they are vetting you quickly for some basic information.

4)Print out lists of possible interview questions. Review them in your mind and verbally.

       •      Review situational questions. Many interviewers ask things like "Tell me about a time when you solved a work dispute." Respond with the "STAR" method, or situation, task, action and result. Analyze the situation, describe the options you had for response, describe the action you took and give the results of this decision. If there was something you learned after the fact, explain how it helped you to improve your decision making later on.

      •       Describe yourself in a few words. These questions are often a lesson in succinctness and company culture. Look for clues as to what the hiring manager might be looking for in the job description. Then, respond with honesty and creativity.

      •       List your accomplishments. Respond to questions with numbers and figures whenever possible. Most job applicants list their skills too readily. Accomplishments can prove that you could do the job you are applying for.

      •       Ask someone to perform a mock interview with you. They can do it over the phone or in person, helping you to practice your responses. Ask for constructive criticism to make your answers better before the phone interview.

5)Research the company again. If possible, research the person who will be interviewing you and read reports in the news as well as on the website. Draw similarities between past jobs and this company that you can speak about in the interview.

6)Come up with a list of questions you would like to ask the interviewer. This will show you are analytical and concerned with getting a good fit with the company.

      •       Do not ask the interviewer about salary, unless they bring it up. Phone interviews are rarely a time to negotiate for the salary you want.

Part 2 of 3: Create a Work Station

1)Choose a quiet home space. Make sure you will not be interrupted by anyone. Plan ahead to find the best location without noise from children, traffic, lawnmowers, televisions or phones.

2)Arrange to take the call from a land line. Cell phones frequently drop calls. Improve your chances of a long interview with clear reception by calling from a quality land line phone.

      •       Remove the call waiting from your phone (cell or land line) ahead of time. The person on the other end can hear when another call is being ignored, which can be distracting. You can do this by reading the manual or calling the phone company.

3)Place the documents you just prepared on a clean space in front of you. Have your resume, cover letter, STAR reports and job description on an otherwise empty surface. Highlight things you may refer to.

4)Keep a pen and paper nearby. You can jot down notes or circle things in your resume that you want to refer to later.

5)Pour yourself a glass of water. Drink quietly when the interviewer is talking to ensure a clear speaking voice.

6)Place a clock nearby, so that you know how much progress the interview has made in the allotted time. If the interview is supposed to be 20 minutes long and you have gone 15 minutes without discussing your qualifications, you will know how important your next responses will be.

Part 3 of 3: Phone Interview Tips

1)Use the person's name several times during the call, after they introduce themselves. This will show you are professional, courteous and observant.

2)Dress for an in-person interview. Wear a suit and shoes so that you project a professional image and increase your self-confidence.

3)Smile when you are on the phone. It may improve your confidence and your positive tone throughout the interview.

4)Avoid using tentative words and sounds, such as "like," "um," "err," "kind of" and "maybe." If you do this during regular speech, practice removing then from your vocabulary during work and everyday life. Tentative language gives a poor impression of your speaking skills and intelligence.

5)Never answer a simple "yes" or "no," unless it is a very simple clarification.Balance the need to elaborate with the need to be succinct. Two to four sentences on most topics is adequate.

6)Focus on building rapport. The idea of a phone interview is to encourage them to want to see you in person. Listen, respond succinctly and stay on topic.

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How to Prepare for a Job Interview

Part 1 of 3: Before the Interview

1)Research the company's profile and background. Start by looking into their future goals and plans. Conducting the interview with this in mind will make you seem like a good long-term investment. You should also be ready to talk in depth about the industry, the organization, and the position you are applying for.

• Learn your interviewer’s name and job position before going to the interview. You may need to call the company to find out.
• Talk to current employees. Show initiative while getting a feel for the office environment. Learn as much as you can about the company from people who work there.
• Know as much about the company as possible. You can't change your employment history or your qualifications, but you can work harder than every other applicant by being supremely knowledgeable about the company. Use the company's website, their annual report, and newspaper/business magazine articles to gather as much information as possible.

2)Think of questions to ask your interviewer. Participating actively during the interview gives a good impression of your level of interest in the job. It's a good idea to come prepared with at least three thought-provoking questions to ask your interviewer. (Avoid asking anything that could be easily answered through a quick internet search, or you will simply come across as lazy.)

• Ask questions that reflect your interest in future prospects. “Which are new markets the company is planning to explore in next couple of years?” or “What are the chances for professional growth in this job opportunity?” both show that you want to be on the same page as the people you’ll be working for.
• Ask questions to bond with the interviewer and project your enthusiasm. Inquire about his/her position and background or how long (s)he has been with the company.

Ask questions about what is discussed during the interview itself. Though you may be tempted to respond to everything with an “Absolutely!” or a “Sure thing!” to show how competent you are, this will actually make it look like you’re not listening. Show that you are paying attention by asking for more details whenever something isn’t clear. (Avoid asking questions for the sake of asking, though, or it’ll seem like you can’t keep up.)

3)Practice with a peer. If you have a friend who is also preparing for an interview, consider preparing together. Not only will this give you a way to structure your preparation, but it will also help you get comfortable with giving answers, telling anecdotes, and using appropriate terminology. Practice giving concise, complete answers and maintaining eye contact with the interviewer(s) while you give them. Make sure you aren't speaking too slow or too fast and that your answers are stated with confidence.

• Get feedback from your peer. Even if you think their feedback isn't on the mark, it's something to consider: We don't always know how me come off to other people, and the actual interviewer could share some of the same concerns.

Know basically what you want to talk about before the interview. If you're stumbling and fumbling for an answer on a very basic question, you're not putting your best foot forward. Have your very basic answers down pat, and anticipate some of the tougher questions before you step into the interview.

4)Anticipate questions from the interviewer. It’s best to prepare for a wide variety of questions by thinking about your own career goals, long-term plans, past successes, and work strengths, but you should also brace yourself for the deceptively simple questions that most employers like to throw at their interviewees.

• “What’s your biggest weakness?” is a classic canned interview question that many people dread. Answering this question is a bit of a tightrope walk: While you don’t want to be too honest (“I have a really hard time staying motivated”), you won’t fool anyone by trying to spin an obviously good quality into a weakness (“I just can’t bear to do less-than-outstanding work!”). Instead, think of a genuine issue you have as well as ways you have managed to work with/around it (“I’m not naturally a very organized thinker, but I’ve become very organized on paper and in my personal space as a result”).
• “Where do you see yourself in five years?” is another common question that can take you off guard if you don’t see it coming. Your panicked reaction might be to blurt out, “Working diligently for you, of course!” but unless you are actually trying to get a job in your chosen career, this probably isn’t a good strategy. If you’re going after what will clearly be a short-term job – or even one that lasts only several years – be honest about what your greater aspirations are (ex. going back to school, starting your own business); ambition is a very desirable trait in an employee – to say nothing of honesty.
• “Why do you want this job?” is so straightforward it can throw you for a loop. If you’re going into a field you care about, you will have a much easier time answering this. However, if, like many people, you’re just trying to make ends meet, you can answer the question by using it as a way of highlighting your skills (“I shine in fast-paced, high-pressure situations and would love to have the opportunity to cultivate my talents here”).
• “Why did you leave your last job?” is a common question that shouldn’t be hard to answer provided that you didn’t have a major blowout with your previous employer. If you did, be honest (without being bitter or laying blame, as this will make you look ungracious and hard to work with) and try to put a positive spin on things.
• Don't be afraid to admit that you don't know something. While you definitely want to seem knowledgeable, don't lie to make it seem like you know something you don't. You probably won't fool your interviewer, and admitting to not knowing something is much more impressive than lying during your interview. If need be, just acknowledge that you do not know the answer but will find out more about it and let them know afterwards.

Part 2 of 3: The Day of the Interview

1)Dress for the interview. As a rule of thumb, you should dress for the interview the way you would for the job itself. (If the job is unusually casual, however, you might want to show up in business-casual clothes to be safe.) Choose subdued colors (blues, browns, grays, black) and make sure that your clothes are lint- and wrinkle-free. Avoid wearing perfume, after-shave, or scented lotion (but do wear deodorant).

·         Applicants in banking or wealth management, business, academia, politics, and health-related sectors should show up for an interview in business formal clothing unless otherwise noted. For women, this means a skirt suit or pant suit in a dark color, along with closed toe shoes and subtle makeup. For men, this means a dark-colored suit and tie and dark-colored shoes.^[1]

·         Applicants in the service sector are usually invited to wear business casual to an interview, although business formal is optional. For women, this means a simple, knee length dress with conservative shoes (no jeans). For men, this means dark or khaki pants with a collared button-up and leather shoes.^[1]

·         If you're unsure of the customary interview clothing expected by the company, simply ask the HR rep or interview liaison. There's no shame in it. There is shame in feeling horribly over- or under-dressed when you show up for an interview.

2)Show up in the best possible shape. Make sure you know exactly how to get there and just where to park so that you can arrive 15 to 20 minutes before the scheduled interview time. Go to bed early the day (or the days) before the interview so that you look rested and healthy on the big day. Bring an extra copy of your resume, CV, and/orreferences in case your interviewer wants to go over any points with you or neglects to bring their own copy.

·         If the interview is in the morning, be sure to eat a healthy breakfast. This is not just an empty suggestion. A breakfast high in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and foods high in vitamin E, such as nuts and seeds, will help improve brain function and leave you feeling more alert and invigorated.^[2]

·         Consider exercising before the interview to annihilate stress and increase blood flow.^[3] If you're generally nervous or fidgety before an interview, it might be a good idea to work out before your interview. Go hard for an hour, and give your body at least another hour to calm down. Shower after exercising.

3)Show courtesy to everyone during the interview. This means everyone from the reception staff to the interviewer herself. You never know who has input in the hiring process, and you can only make a first impression once.

·         Look everyone in the eye and smile. Looking people in the eye will telegraph alertness, and smiling will signal friendliness.

·         Speak clearly and say "please" and "thank you." Make sure the people you talk to during the interview can make out what you're saying. Talking audibly, with good enunciation, tells people you're confident, while good manners tells them you're considerate of other people.

·         Don't noodle around on your phone or electronic device while waiting. In fact, leave it in your car. Even though it's practically acceptable, playing around on your phone can communicate boredom and frivolousness (even if that's not the case). Stick with a book or review your notes while waiting.

4)Be honest. Many people think that an interview is the perfect time to embellish. While you want to structure your answers so that your best, most qualified aspects take center stage, you don't want to deceive or outright lie. Companies do perform background checks, and lying about your experience is simply not worth it.

·         In a pinch, take a cue from politicians. When a politician hears a question they don't like, they simply answer a different question. You don't want to do this all the time, but you can do it in a pinch.

5)Keep things simple and short. Talking about yourself can be very difficult to well: You're trying to convince someone you don't know that you're qualified for a position without sounding too cocky or pompous. Stick to what you know well, and keep things short and sweet.

·         Structure your answers so that you're talking in 30-90 second chunks. Any less and you're likely to seem unqualified; any more and your interviewer is likely to lose interest in what you're saying. In the "tell me about yourself" question, highlight 2-3 illustrative examples about yourself before wrapping up. ^[4]

·         Don't use slang or off-color humor during your interview. It's important not to say "awesome" or "rad" during an interview, unless you're interviewing for the local lifeguard position. It's also a good rule to avoid off-color humor; you never know when someone might take offense, and it's best not to risk it.

·         Talk about what other people think you do well. Don't add the preamble, "My friends think I'm a competent social organizer." Just go out and say it with the right touch of confidence and humility. Women tend to underestimate their overall job performance,^[5] so be aware of that before you second-guess or undercut yourself, because it's unlikely to get you a job.

·         Don't criticize your former employer. When you're talking about your past experience, be courteous about your former places of employment. Be honest about your experience — what you liked and disliked — but don't indict your former boss unnecessarily. Your class and restraint will shine through.

Be personable. Try to come off as a genuinely likable person if you can. If you're cynical, pessimistic, and absolutely disabused of any faith in humanity, try to tone it down during the interview. Being personable is about getting the interviewer's emotional side to like you and believe in you. Employers don't always hire the candidates most qualified for the job, but rather the candidates they like the best.

Part 3 of 3: After the Interview

1)Shake hands with the interviewer and exchange pleasantries. Try to invest some feeling into the handshake and pleasantries, even if you think you bombed the interview. The interviewer should give you a time frame for when to expect to get a callback, if applicable.

·         Hold your head high and keep your cool. Your emotions are probably teetering at the highest of highs or the lowest of lows, but try to stay measured. Project a cool confidence — not cockiness — and walk out of the interview with your head held high.

If the interviewer does not tell you when they will contact you if you're a good fit for the position, it's appropriate to ask, "When can I expect to hear back from you about the position?" This will prove important later on.

2)Send a thank-you letter to your interviewer and/or liaison. Now is a good time to thank the person you interviewed with, even if it's just a formality. You can say something like:

·         "Dear [interviewer's name], Thank you for the opportunity to discuss my qualifications with you. I remain very impressed by [interviewer's company], and invite you to contact me if you have any further questions. I look forward to hearing from you about this position."

·         If you missed any important points in your interview you wanted to stress, you may include one or two in the thank-you letter. Keep the points brief, and tie them into a discussion point that you or the interviewer made during the interview.

·         If you received any help in getting the interview, follow up with appropriate parts of your network. Inform them that you received an interview, are grateful they helped you in your career search, and would be eager to help them in the future.

3)Follow up with the interviewer at the appropriate time. You should have received some information about when you could expect to hear back from the employer. The standard time is about two weeks, but it can depend. If you've waited past the designated callback date — or the callback date wasn't set and it's been two weeks — follow up with the interviewer in a short email. You can say something like:

·         "Dear [interviewer's name], I interviewed at your company [at such and such date], and am still interested in the position if it hasn't yet been filled. I'd greatly appreciate any information you might have about my candidacy. I look forward to hearing from you."

·         While you can't control your past experience or the way someone measures you against someone else, you can control how much of your time you dedicate to showing the interviewer you really want the position. Don't be needy, and don't be greedy, but be persistent and courteous. You'll work harder than at least half the other candidates, and it could be the decisive factor in getting a job offer.

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Interviews - do’s and don’ts

Interviews - do’s and don’ts

An interview is a discussion between you and an employer to find out if you can do the job. It’s your chance to make a good impression. However, there are certain rules you should follow in interviews.

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What to do:

• dress smartly, look bright and attentive, and speak clearly and confidently. Don't forget that in the first few minutes only 7% of the interviewer's opinion of you is formed by what you say - the rest is judged on how you look, act and sound
• find out where the venue is beforehand, how to get there and how long it takes
• get your outfit ready the night before
• find out what kind of interview it will be so you can prepare
• examine the person specification and your CV/application form, and think about what type of questions they will ask you
• prepare answers for the main questions - for example, why do you want the job, what are your strengths and weaknesses, what are the main tasks in this job?
• make about three or four points in each answer
• quote real examples of when you've used certain skills - just saying you've got a skill isn't enough
• take your time when answering the questions: make sure you understand the question and take your time if you need to think
• sell yourself: no one else is going to! Be positive about yourself and your experiences
• prepare some questions to ask at the end of the interview - use it as an opportunity to find out more about the role and the company. (Don't ask about money or perks just yet!)
• when discussing salary, know your market worth and start by quoting a little higher than this
• get feedback on your performance, whether you were successful or not
• turn off your mobile phone: treat the interviewers with respect and give them your undivided attention
• keep your answers focused on what you can do for the employer, not what they can do for you

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What not to do:

• don't be late
• don't swear or use slang words
• don't slouch in your seat or do anything that makes you look uninterested
• don't smoke
• don't lie: the interviewer may see through you. Even if you get the job, your employer can dismiss you if they find out that you have not been honest
• don't let your nerves show too much; a few nerves are normal but extreme nerves will affect your performance. Use breathing techniques and try to remember that it's not a life and death situation - there are plenty of jobs out there!
• don't be arrogant and assume you've got the job. Nothing turns off employers more than someone who is disrespectful and over-confident
• don't discuss controversial topics such as religion, politics and gender relations
• don't read from notes or your CV — you should be familiar enough with your own history to be able to talk about it unprompted
• don't criticise former employers or colleagues. Interviewers may mark you down as a troublemaker and a gossip
• don't argue with the interviewer, no matter what. Remember to keep things positive!

These rules apply for most jobs. However, employers in some industries can use more relaxed and informal interviewing techniques. In some creative fields (design and media for example) it may be expected that you turn up for the interview in casual clothes, as that is the dress code in the office. However, smart casual is better than very casual. If you're in any doubt, do some research on typical interview techniques in your line of work.

Above all, preparation is the key to performing well in interviews. Research the role and organisation, and prepare evidence and examples of your skills and competencies.