Prepare for
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Telephone Interview Techniques
Conduct background company research before your telephone interview
For every job opening you respond to, go to the company's website and learn what you can about the organization, the position, the industry.
Conduct good background research and know how best to use it in preparing for your phone interview questions. Make copies of the most important details.
Know what the company is looking for
Review the job description. If you don't have adequate information look up similar job postings on the internet or in the paper. Think about the skills and abilities required for the job. Match up your skills with what they are looking for.
Prepare for the most obvious interview questions
There are usually two main purposes to this interview - to evaluate whether the candidate is qualified to do the job and to address any areas of concern in the resume. You will be asked phone interview questions that explore your ability to perform the job. Be prepared to answer common interview questions like:
- Can you tell me a little about yourself?
- What are the main duties and tasks in your current position?
- What can you bring to this position?
- Why are you leaving your current job?
- What is the most important accomplishment you have made in your career?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- What do you see yourself doing in five years?
- Why have you chosen this company/position?
Make some notes of your responses. The aim is not to memorize them but to feel comfortable with your answers.
You may be asked some behavioral questions. Be prepared with good examples of how you demonstrated the skills required in this position in your previous jobs.
For example if the position requires good customer service skills, prepare an example of when you went the extra mile for a customer, jot down some notes to keep in your preparation portfolio.
Review your resume and highlight any areas that the interviewer is likely to want to address such as gaps in employment, reasons for leaving etc. Think about how to respond to these difficult questions and make some notes to use in your phone interview.
Prepare a few questions to ask the interviewer
The interviewer is likely to ask "Do you have any questions for me?". Be prepared with a couple of insightful questions to ask. The interviewer should be convinced of your interest in the company and position.
Organize your materials/papers
Put all the relevant documents into a portfolio or folder that you can easily access at a minute's notice. Include copies of the job posting, any information you have on the company and position, a copy of your resume and references.
Clip together the information for each position and keep them separate so that you don't get muddled up and refer to the wrong information during the phone interview! Mark each set of documents clearly with the name of the position and company they refer to.
Practice
This is essential for the phone interview. Practice with a tape recorder. The key to success is the positive message your voice and words project. You can also have someone call you and listen to your responses. Ask for feedback on how you come across on the phone.
Prepare your household for the call
Make sure that everyone in the household is aware that you are expecting an important interview call. Brief them to answer the call in a polite manner. Prepare them to take an accurate message if needed. Emphasize the importance of the call.
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Check your voice mail message/answering machine message
This should be professional and positive. Decide what is an appropriate message for a prospective employer to hear.
Preparing for phone interview questions is essential to sounding confident and professional during the call.
Phone interviews are commonly used as an initial screening tool for customer service positions as these jobs usually involve interaction over the phone. The Customer Service Job Interview Guide provides practical help to prepare for this type of interview.
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