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.

---

Who Do I Have To Kill To Get A Job?

I have had more than my amount of trouble in... Read More

What Every Employee Should Know About How to Overcome Boredom

Do you find yourself easily becoming bored or tired at... Read More

Rekindling Passion for Work

Passion comes in many forms. I'm focused on the version... Read More

CVs And Resumes Sometimes Just Get In The Way

As a head-hunter and Career Coach I see so many... Read More

Preventing The Runaway Candidate

Municipal and law enforcement officials in Georgia are still calculating... Read More

How to Access Employers through Proposal Marketing

Use Proposal Marketing and you'll be your own hot spot,... Read More

No Degree, No Problem

According to a recent survey, 52% of job candidates polled... Read More

Job Search Advice for Desperate Job Seekers

Another morning of job hunting lies ahead of you. You... Read More

Medical Billing Businesses Are Growing Fast And Providing A Needed Service For Doctors

You've seen the commercials and web sites about starting medical... Read More

Reviving Your Resume

A resume may not be who you are, but to... Read More

How to Work Effectively With Recruiters

"R-E-S-P-E-C-T / find out what it means to me" is... Read More

Job Search 101

The whole job search effort is completely exhausting and at... Read More

Five Fabulous Resume Tips for College Grads (or Anybody)

Fluffy clouds. Chirping birds. Green trees. Colorful flowers. It's springtime!... Read More

175 Power Verbs and Phrases for Resumes, Cover Letters, and Interviews

While you're revamping your resume or cover letter or constructing... Read More

Age Discrimination is Alive and Unwelcome Here!

Common sense appears to be a rare commodity these days.... Read More

College Labor is Available in Ohio

Ohio has always been big on education and that means... Read More

Professional Moms: How to Get Ready to Re-Enter the Workforce

Finally! Your youngest is in school and you are ready... Read More

Prepare for YOUR Future now --

All Presidential candidates (before and after) make all kinds of... Read More

Telecommuting Cover Letters

Question: How do I market myself online?Answer: With a stellar... Read More

Auto-Disqualification - When Your Resume Never Reaches the Decision Maker

How would you know if your resume did or didn't... Read More

Women Who Quit Work Abrubtly After Childbirth - Are You the Type?

According to statistics one out of every five pregnant women... Read More

5 Ways to Drastically Improve Your Resume in 10 Minutes of Less

Follow these quick and easy tips to build yourself a... Read More

Q & A How to Find a Great Search Firm

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

Feedback: Take It or Leave It ... But Get It

The expense was substantial. An immersion workshop with twelve participants... Read More

Home Healthcare Careers

One of the fastest growing sectors of the medical industry... Read More

Job Search Blurts

I coined this word to draw attention to the nervous... Read More

5 Steps to a New Job

The economy is picking up, budgets are new, positions are... Read More

Seeking Knowledge Will Give You Power

What are you interested in? We all have a passion... Read More

For My Second Career, I Want to Do Nothing!

Q. For my second career, I'd like to know "What... Read More

Career Advice On Freelance Writing Jobs

Sometimes the freelance writing jobs available are those that no... Read More

How to Write a Scientific Resume

You're a scientist, you're very well educated, you're intelligent, and... Read More

Overcoming Inertia in Job Change

If you can hold on to an optimistic belief in... Read More

Recovering From a Career Crisis

If you have ever experienced any of the following, you... Read More