With unemployment at a recent high, the response to online job postings is off the charts—in many cases, employers receive anywhere from 500-1,000 resumes for one position. Unfortunately, only about 5 percent to 10 percent of those individuals have any of the necessary qualifications for the posted position.
Using this example, an employer could end up with approximately 25-100 potential candidates. Companies and organizations find it helps to schedule telephone interviews as a way of refining the candidate group.
While face-to-face interviews can often last for 60 minutes, telephone interviews tend to be very brief—in many cases no more than 15 minutes. That’s why it’s so important for you to make a good impression as soon as you answer the phone.
Here are some important things to keep in mind for your next telephone interview:
Create a Positive Setting
- Locate a room where you live that is bright and cheerful.
- Make sure there’s no background noise (television, radio, etc.) or distractions such as your computer. Turn off the ringer on other phones in your home, and turn off call waiting if you have this feature.
- If you have a pet or children, make sure they’re in another room so they can’t disturb you.
- Wear professional attire; it tends to help individuals project a professional demeanor.
- Sit at a table so you have easy access to the job description, your resume and cover letter, and notes about any other important aspects of your experience and qualifications.
- Have a list of questions ready in advance that you want to ask the interviewer.
- Keep a pad and pen close by so you can take notes during the interview.
- Cell phones can sometimes drop calls, so whenever possible, use a landline for a telephone interview.
Do Voice Training
Your voice must convey an upbeat and positive attitude. If you smile, your voice will automatically sound more inviting. One job seeker even posts a sign in front of him that simply reads, "Smile." The recruiter or the hiring manager on the other end of the line can’t see your facial expressions so the tone of your voice must communicate your friendliness.
Consider taping yourself or have someone call and ask you standard interview questions. It’s a good way to get feedback about your responses and the quality of your voice.
- Speak slowly and clearly. Tape yourself so you to hear the tempo of your responses.
- Keep a glass of water nearby in case your mouth gets dry, but avoid sodas or hot drinks.
- Do not chew gum or have a hard candy in your mouth.
- Avoid interrupting the interviewer. Even if you think you know the direction they’re going with a question, listen carefully to what they’re asking. If you can, try jotting down the question.
- A moment of silence is acceptable, so breathe before you respond to a question; it will help you to compose your thoughts.
- Think about what you say and how you say it.
"Prospects should know that their every word and thinking processes are being measured, in how they come across and how they manage themselves on the phone," says Andrea Gold, president of Gold Star Speakers Bureau.
Avoid losing the recruiter’s attention, so avoid lengthy responses, and unless the interviewer brings it up, avoid discussing salary during an initial telephone interview.
Patience is a Virtue
You may speak with a human resources specialist or an external recruiter who’s not familiar with meeting planning, so avoid becoming agitated if the interviewer isn’t familiar with industry keywords. A senior meeting planner recently had a telephone interview during which the recruiter had instructions that a CMP was important, yet this individual had no idea what the acronym meant. Imagine how challenging it was for the meeting planner to explain that she also has a CMM!
Telephone interviews also tend to be easier with the actual hiring manager.
"It gives you the chance to ‘meet’ the interviewer without the pressure of a face-to-face," says Stacy Weber, CMP, Meeting and Event Manager at Moss Adams in Seattle. "When you come into the live interview, you already know each other and it’s much more comfortable."
At the end of a telephone interview, ask the interviewer when they anticipate making a decision about scheduling face-to-face interviews and whether they plan to recommend you for the next phase of the interview process.
