Phone Interview Tips

[minisoji]

Phone interview as a mode of recruitment is increasingly becoming popular in India. It is an efficient and effective way of screening the potential candidates when the candidate pool is very large and widely dispersed. Recruiters use the phone interview to avoid unnecessary travel, by sandwiching it as an elimination round between resume selection and the regular interview. Sectors such as IT, telecom and banking use phone interview frequently.

It is important to take phone interviews as seriously as any other interview. Don't mistake it for a 'get to know you better' session. Remember it is a selection test. Since most telephonic interviews are with a single recruiter, you may have to sit through multiple rounds, each with a different person.

The telephone interviews are usually held at a formal setting like a hotel business center or the placement consultant's office. The interviewer, based in another city or country, calls at a fixed time and candidates are expected to be present at the site. These locations are preferred as soundproof rooms, backup phone lines as well as physical verification of documents can be easily arranged. It is a good idea to visit the site an hour or so before the interview and familiarize yourself with the phone instrument.

The script for the phone interview is dictated entirely by your resume. Like a regular interview, all statements on it must be justifiable, preferably with examples. One of the great advantages of the phone interview is that you can keep reading material with you during the interview. It is perfectly legitimate to do so, unless expressly forbidden by an on-site person monitoring it. It would be useful to take written notes of your comments and the interviewers' comments. This will help you in case you need to appear for a face-to-face interview at a later stage.

It is important to speak slowly and clearly so that the interviewer can understand what you are saying. It is also vital to keep a tab on the tone and tenor of your voice. While the interviewer cannot see you, the tone and tenor of your voice give away your mood. Most interviewers are experienced at conducting a phone interview and can easily judge the comfort level of the candidate, so it's important to smile and stay relaxed.

The main aim of the phone interview is to get selected yourself for the final interview. So prepare earnestly for it and keep above phone interview tips in mind.

[alonnardi]

Phone interviews aren't serious.
Get a real job!

[Perfection]

* Do not smoke, chew gum, or eat garlic beforehand.
* Wear suitable interview clothes.
* Take copies of your CV with you.
* Arrive on time for your job interview.
* Any applications handed before the interview begins, are to be filled in as accurately as possible, make sure they match the information in your CV and Cover Letter.
* Look alert and interested. Scan the room once and then keep your eyes on the interviewer.
* Wait until you are offered a chair before you sit down.
* Stress your achievements.
* Always conduct yourself professionally and if something beyond your control occurs, show a sense of humor.
* Be enthusiastic and show it in your replies and body language.
* Answer the interview question by more than a simple yes or no but try not to go over the 60 second limit.
* Avoid at all cost complaining about your current or former employer in your job interview.
* Do not answer questions about politics or religion if the job is completely unrelated.
* Do not raise salary discussions on your first interview - this is usually done on the second interview.

[Perfection]

Your research for the job interview preparation should give you a better insight on

• Through subject Knowledge
• The Job Description.
• What business the organisation is in.
• Hiring process procedures.
• Early experiences on the job.
• Corporate culture
• General Organisational Structure.
• History.
• Career paths.
• General knowledge about current state of industry.
• Protocols before and after the interview.
• The location of the interview.
• Size of organisation
• Number of employees
• How long has the company being operating
• Are there any subsidiary companies involved in this company.
• Who are the major competitors of this company
• Who is the direct supervisor
• Information on your direct supervisor

[Perfection]

1. Be cleanly dressed in comfortable dress. This will make interview a lot easier for you.

2. Take proper haircut at least a week before the interview. Shave properly and trim your mustache on the day of the interview. Avoid excessive make up, strong perfumes and decorative dress.

3. Be polite while addressing people. Use 'Sir', Mr., Ms., or 'Ma'am'.

4. Have a pleasant and cheerful appearance. Take instructions seriously.

5. Pat attention and concentrate on the questions by the interviewer. If you don't understand the question, ask politely for clarification.

6. Try to arrive 30 minutes before at the interview venue. You should arrive on time with all the required documents.

7. Why to infuriate the interviewer by interrupting the interview schedule ? . Switch off your mobile phone.

8. Provide good quality information on your qualifications, list of achievements, skills, talents, accomplishments and experience through a CV.

9. Be pleasant & attentive throughout the interview. It shows the interest of the candidate in the proposed job.

10. The candidate, who shows the Confidence, good character traits and subject expertise will be selected in any interview.