Articles About Tele

Powerful Phone Interviews

Phone interviews are de rigueur with many organizations.

Companies conduct phone interviews for a number of reasons.

It's a way to screen out the dead wood.

It gives the next interviewer baseline information from which to work.

It saves money.

So, how do you prep for a powerful phone interview?

And how is it different from a face-to-face interview?

Recently, three of my clients aced their phone interviews. Here's what we learned works.

Prepping for the phone interview:

If you need to call from work or from a phone booth or a cell phone, tell the screener/interviewer what the circumstances are. It's better to explain ahead of time than to suddenly have to stop midway through because of noise or an interruption.

Stand up. You project stronger energy when you stand. Or even better, walk around. Remember, the interviewer has only your words and the sound of your voice with which to judge you. You will come across more upbeat and enthusiastic if you stand.

Even for a phone interview, you need to do your homework. The interviewer will be asking, "Why do you want to work at XYZ Company?" and "What do you know about us?"

Be prepared to answer classic questions, such as: "Tell me about a difficult situation you handled well," "What are your areas of development?" or an all-time favorite: "Why should we hire you?" If you need help in formulating answers to these questions, see the suggested reading section below.

Keep your responses brief, 1 - 3 sentences maximum. Choose your words carefully, and be focused. Answer the question. Do not go off on a tangent. This is even more important in the phone interview stage, where the interviewer will appreciate your succinctness.

Have water and throat lozenges handy. If you get dry mouth (don't you hate that), these can be lifesavers.

How is a phone interview different from a face-to-face interview?

You can use crib notes. And I would. Just in case you get the jitters or have a senior moment, have your responses written out (in bullet form). It's better than any security blanket.

The timbre and inflection of your voice is critical. Modulate your voice to avoid sounding monotone. When I was a recruiter and conducted phone interviews, I could pick up immediately by the tone of the person's voice whether they had the requisite drive for the job.

A phone interview is brief, sometimes 20 minutes or less. It is oftentimes a screening rather than an interview. There won't be a lot of follow-up questions based upon your responses. You won't get to connect with the interviewer. It may feel formulaic. The interviewer asks a question, and you respond. This is normal.

You will know immediately if you have done well. They will tell you they are passing you on. If you haven't done well, you will get a vague response. Ask when you should follow-up.

Finally, like a face-to-face interview, always send a thank-you note. A handwritten note is best. Sending an e-mail is acceptable, but less personal. Thank the interviewer for her time. Say you enjoyed the conversation and look forward to taking the next step. Indicate you will follow up within the appropriate time frame.

A successful phone interview is a wonderful prep for the in-person gig. You've learned what your top lines are. You've done your research. You've made it to the next step. And your confidence level is up.

So, when you get the chance for a phone interview, embrace the opportunity. It's practice for the main event.

Dale Kurow, M.S., is an author and a career and executive coach in NYC. Dale works with clients across the U.S. and internationally, helping them to become better managers, figure out their next career moves and thrive despite office politics. Visit Dale's web site at http://www.dalekurow.com/newsletter to sign-up for her free monthly ezine "Career Essentials," chocked full of useful career tips and strategies you can use immediately.

Other Article Sites

findabook.com  moneycd.info  a-mortgage.info   about-lemon-laws.info  aboutstudentloans.info
all-about-publishing.info  auctions-articles.info  bestcollege-university.com  bestispconnection.com
biblefolder.com  blogger-website.com  books-used.info  brokers-guide.info  buywindows.info  cable-dsl.info
career-miner.com  carpel-tunnel.info  cashinaflash.info  cashloanreviews.info  casinobell.com  chat-house.info
clearmycredit.info  collegeloantips.info  crones.info  depression-articles.info   dirnic.net  dishguides.info
divers-below.com  expodog.info   financewizz.com  fire-insurance.info  getgood.info  handleit.net   it-idea.info
health-supplies.info  hosting-right.com  insidealert.com  insurance-facts.info  jobs-employment.info
justgood.info  lookgold.net   lowcost-travel.info  money-source.info  myhostzone.info  numisblog.com
peoplesearchfinder.info  pr-articles.info  realeas.com   refinancing-guides.info  spyware-remove.info
telelot.info  the-law.info   toppaid.info  travel-deals.info  travelcorrect.com  wedding-guide-site.com
your-blog.info  your-credit.info

MORE ARTICLES:

Blogs Sell - But Mphone.net Plans to Sell More Phones by Becoming an Online Cell Phone Store
After providing useful information on cell phones and plans to over 200,000 unique visitors last year, Mphone has taken the plunge. Mphone.Net (http://www.mphone.net) is now a new cell phone store providing great deals.

A Parenting Curriculum Is A Phone Call Away
Most often than not, parents find their children a handful both emotionally and physically. They love their children and want to give them the best they can ? and always feel that they could have done better if they found/ had better guidance. Parents mostly feel lost when it comes to establish a mutually respectful relationship which can alternate love and respect effortlessly.

Wholesale Mobile Phone Checklist, How The Bigscreen TV Phone Is A Better At Multimedia Than Brands
The naughties, the 2Ks, the 00s, zeros, the ozies, it doesn't matter which of these names you want to call the first decade of the 21st century because it is almost over. If people were asked for a list of the technological developments that had shaped the decade there would probably be three things on everybody's list: :

Safer Cell Phone Use For Drivers
Cell phones are great for people on-the-go, but talking on your cellular phone while driving can be downright dangerous. The safest choice is to avoid using your phone while driving, but that's not always possible.

Last-Minute Tax Tip: Cell Phone Users Can Triple Their One-time Phone Tax Refund Without Searching Through Old Bills
Cell phone users can claim a one-time phone tax credit of as much as $100 or more on their 2006 personal tax return instead of settling for the IRS' standard $30-$60. And contrary to popular belief, it won't take all that much time or effort, nor will it require that they pull out old phone bills, thanks to one company's innovative low-cost software that completes the computation in as little as 15 minutes.

Recycling Your Old Cell Phone
Many people buy a new cell phone every couple of years Thousands of these old phones are dumped into our landfills and can leak toxins and harm the environment

ViaTalk Successfully Porting Thousands of SunRocket Subscribers; ViaTalk CEO Brendan Brader Calls on Industry to Expedite Porting of Phone Numbers for
ViaTalk, a leading national private provider of internet phone service announced today that they are successfully porting thousands of former SunRocket subscribers in the wake of that company's abrupt decision to close its doors.

Pay as you Go Phones and Cell Phone Contracts
Getting a new cell phone these days often comes with a commitment of at least two-year cell phone contracts with the cell phone company. That is a long time to be tied to one if you aren?t happy with the service. While you do have the option of canceling, the fees for doing so are often several hundred dollars. Cell phone contracts can be hard to follow and make you feel trapped.

Corvent Reports Accelerated Growth and Expansion of Web Seminar Event Services Team
Steady growth over the last year and key new hires contribute to record-breaking Q2.

Cell Phone Wallpaper Bonanza
Nowadays teenagers are crazy about personalizing their cell phone and about being able to make the difference. For that, they use different and complicated ringtones, logos, reminders and so on.

Lorman Education Services Presents "Zoning, Subdivision And Land Development Law" Seminar on November 10, 2005.
This "Zoning, Subdivision And Land Development Law" seminar features presentations by experienced practitioners to provide an understanding of important planning and zoning issues.

BCAW, Urban League, Cities Say Qwest Bill Bad for Local Consumers: Opponents Say Qwest Measure Would Allow Phone Company to Serve Most Affluent N
The Broadband Communications Association of Washington, civic groups and municipal organizations say a Qwest-backed bill filed today would widen the digital divide by allowing the telephone company to provide service only to wealthier cities and their neighborhoods.

25 Valuable Phone Numbers For Small Businesses Success
Starting and growing a small business can be a daunting and sometimes lonely process we have compiled a list of 25 helpful phone numbers for agencies and services that work with small businesses. They can give you information, ideas, and resources to help you be more successful.

Dr. Rick Wren and Zonsite Seminars Have Agreed to Dissolve Seminar 21 and Club 21
Dr. Rick Wren collaborated with Zonsite Seminars to create Seminar 21 and Club 21 last year to deliver his 21 Successful Practice Principles. Dr. Wren's vision was to provide an inexpensive alternative to help chiropractic practices. Dr. Wren recently rejoined Parker Seminars to deliver his message.