The Phone Interview - What to Do When They Catch You Off Guard!
You're sitting at home and suddenly the phone rings.
It's a prospective employer and they want to do a snap phone interview.
What do you do and say? This article can help you prepare.
Okay, so you have sent your resumes out to numerous employers.
Expect that you will get phone calls for these jobs and expect that they will want to phone screen you before bringing you in for a formal meeting.
First off, when you are in the market for a job, always have a professional sounding message on your answering machine.
A wacky or message with loud music can be very off-putting for someone who is trying to find the right person.
If you don't have call display and you don't know who is calling, answer the phone in a pleasant manner and instruct your family to do the same.
A simple hello is fine with a nice tone.
Try to avoid letting family members who do not speak English to answer the phone.
There is nothing more frustrating then getting a "who this? he no home!" and then click.
Or at least coach these family members on how to take a message.
Try not to let your children answer if they are very young.
Once you have found a job, you can go back to your old methods.
When you are finally on the phone with the employer, be as courteous and polite as possible as this is their first impression of you.
Have a note pad by the phone to write down the name of the person, the company and their phone number and when they ask if you have a pen and paper and you already have it, it will show that you are organized and prepared.
They will ask you questions about your resume, so if you can, have a copy near the phone to go over it with them.
Be prepared ahead of time for their questions.
In other words, be prepared for an interview at anytime.
So ahead of time: 1.
Be able to list your strengths 2.
Be able to list your weaknesses-but turn them into positives such as "I'm a workoholic" 3.
Be able to tell the interviewer how you can benefit their company.
4.
Know what kind of questions are typically asked in your industry and be able to answer them.
5.
They try to catch you off guard in phone interviews since you have probably just switched gears from housework, tv or internet surfing, so pay attention closely to what they are asking and get them to repeat the question if necessary.
This will also give you a little time to think of an answer.
6.
You should make a list of all the employers that you have a applied to and check out each and every website, so if they do call, you have at least some background knowledge on them.
This will impress any phone interviewer.
7.
To close off, if the phone interviewer did not mention at live interview, ask them if you can have one.
Thank them for their time and ask them to please consider you further.
You can follow up if necessary by email or a phone call to them after a week or so if you haven't heard back.
It's a prospective employer and they want to do a snap phone interview.
What do you do and say? This article can help you prepare.
Okay, so you have sent your resumes out to numerous employers.
Expect that you will get phone calls for these jobs and expect that they will want to phone screen you before bringing you in for a formal meeting.
First off, when you are in the market for a job, always have a professional sounding message on your answering machine.
A wacky or message with loud music can be very off-putting for someone who is trying to find the right person.
If you don't have call display and you don't know who is calling, answer the phone in a pleasant manner and instruct your family to do the same.
A simple hello is fine with a nice tone.
Try to avoid letting family members who do not speak English to answer the phone.
There is nothing more frustrating then getting a "who this? he no home!" and then click.
Or at least coach these family members on how to take a message.
Try not to let your children answer if they are very young.
Once you have found a job, you can go back to your old methods.
When you are finally on the phone with the employer, be as courteous and polite as possible as this is their first impression of you.
Have a note pad by the phone to write down the name of the person, the company and their phone number and when they ask if you have a pen and paper and you already have it, it will show that you are organized and prepared.
They will ask you questions about your resume, so if you can, have a copy near the phone to go over it with them.
Be prepared ahead of time for their questions.
In other words, be prepared for an interview at anytime.
So ahead of time: 1.
Be able to list your strengths 2.
Be able to list your weaknesses-but turn them into positives such as "I'm a workoholic" 3.
Be able to tell the interviewer how you can benefit their company.
4.
Know what kind of questions are typically asked in your industry and be able to answer them.
5.
They try to catch you off guard in phone interviews since you have probably just switched gears from housework, tv or internet surfing, so pay attention closely to what they are asking and get them to repeat the question if necessary.
This will also give you a little time to think of an answer.
6.
You should make a list of all the employers that you have a applied to and check out each and every website, so if they do call, you have at least some background knowledge on them.
This will impress any phone interviewer.
7.
To close off, if the phone interviewer did not mention at live interview, ask them if you can have one.
Thank them for their time and ask them to please consider you further.
You can follow up if necessary by email or a phone call to them after a week or so if you haven't heard back.
