Tips for Terrific Telephone Interviews

Telephone interviews don't just happen; they are the result of action you have taken. For example, when you are networking and the company representative becomes interested in your skills; when a company representative calls you in response to a résumé you have sent; or when you have previously set up the telephone meeting. Your goal is to achieve a face-to-face meeting at the end of the call.

1. BE PREPARED! Keep your résumé, files, paper, and pen within easy reach of the telephone.

2. SMILE WHEN YOU ANSWER THE TELEPHONE and thank the person for calling. Ask, "Would you mind if I take a minute to close the door?" Use the time to close the door and pull out your résumé and files. Take a few deep breaths, relax and focus.

3. LISTEN TO THE WAY THE INTERVIEWER INTRODUCES HIM OR HERSELF. If she introduces herself as "Ms. Jones," call her Ms. Jones until she invites you to do otherwise.

4. STAY FOCUSED. This interview is your number-one priority at this time. As a result of this meeting, you want to be invited in for a face-to-face interview. If this is a previously scheduled interview, eliminate outside distractions prior to taking the call. If the interviewer has otherwise caught you at an inconvenient time, gently say so and ask to reschedule the interview for a more convenient time.

5. STAND IN FRONT OF A MIRROR, SMILE, AND SPEAK DIRECTLY INTO THE TELEPHONE. It adds life to your voice and you will come across more powerfully.

6. ALLOW THE INTERVIEWER TO ASK QUESTIONS. Answer the questions and ask some of your own. It is essential to ask open-ended questions that demonstrate your interest. Postpone any discussion of salary or benefits.

7. AVOID ANSWERING SIMPLY "YES" or NO." Respond to questions with specific examples of accomplishments that demonstrate your expertise and value to the company.

8. SUMMARIZE YOUR KEY POINTS and refer back to specific examples of your contributions. Take notes! This is one interview where it's okay to take notes.

9. CONFIRM YOUR INTEREST IN THE POSITION. "It sounds like an interesting opportunity Ms. Jones, and a situation where I could definitely make a contribution. When can we get together?"

10. WRITE AND SEND A THANK YOU LETTER WITHIN 24 HOURS. Before you hang up ask for the correct spelling of the interviewer's name and title. A thank you note is a second selling opportunity and can increase you chances of another interview by as much as 30%! Take the time to write one. You'll be glad you did!

Mary Jeanne Vincent is the author of Acing the Interview tip cards featuring answers to the top 20 "killer" interview questions. Also included are tips for interviewing in the new economy, ideas for responding to illegal and trick questions, and suggestions for avoiding 10 deadly interview mistakes.

Go to http://www.2bworkwise.com for free job search articles and to sign up for the free WorkWise e-zine. For information on individual job and career coaching or to find out about other practical, easy-to-use career tools call Mary Jeanne at 831.657.9151.

---

Take the Personal Out of the Workplace: Leave Your Troubles at the Door!

Bringing your emotional baggage into the work place is inappropriate... Read More

Job Interviews: Six Steps to Acing a Telephone Interview

Telephone interviews are becoming more popular these days. Whether that's... Read More

Ive Got the Big Bad B Word on My Job!

That "B" word---B O R E D O M.How did... Read More

Believe And Get Hired

Good things seem to come in bunches, especially in a... Read More

Overcoming the 7 Roadblocks Women with Families Face Making Career Changes

Family is the driving force of our lives. You need... Read More

Why Employers Want an Employee with a Degree

You wake up in the morning, head to work, and... Read More

Finding Freelance Writing Jobs - Join Us On The Job Search

Finding freelance writing jobs require great skill, dedication and lots... Read More

CV Writing ? How to Write a CV

A winning CV has 2 objectives: To illustrate... Read More

To All Managers: How Does ADD Affect Your Workplace?

Tent caterpillars create a cocoon for an entire colony. Within... Read More

Your Interview Questions Are a Serious Matter

Of course interviews are mainly about you answering the questions... Read More

Q & A How to Find a Great Search Firm

Q & AQ: Are people sometimes cautious of 'headhunters'?A. Yes.... Read More

Interview Skills That Attract Offers

An interviewer's mission is to assess your qualifications compared to... Read More

Ten Courses Of Study If You Want To Be Your Own Boss

For many Americans, an important component of the American Dream... Read More

Is it a Scam?

I wanted to quit my job. So I decided to... Read More

Career Change: Success Tips

Successful career change is based on first making an honest... Read More

Writing A Great Resume, Part 2

TIP: Update your resume often. Be sure to add details... Read More

Reinvent Yourself in a New Career

Some people reserve the word "vocation" for religious calling. Contemporary... Read More

Tips For Successful Job Hunting: How To Get A Job Without A Resume

I am in my mid-thirties, and, as you can imagine,... Read More

Resume Writing Service Website

Promote Your Resume Business Website!While we make our websites to... Read More

How To Survive A Job Loss

Has this ever happened to you: You have been working... Read More

Virtual Heroes: The Growth of the Virtual Assistant

Building and expanding a business is a difficult task, when... Read More

Cover Letter Warning: Watch Out For the BIG BAD WORD!

Dear Job-Seeker:Just as Goldilocks was suspicious of the big bad... Read More

The Organized Job Search

Many people, under financial or other pressures to find work... Read More

How to Write a Resume That Stands Out From The Crowd

Today's job market is competitive. Many companies receive hundreds of... Read More

Invest in Your Career Change--Put Your Money Where Your Dream Is

You say you want a new career, you say you... Read More