How To Succeed In a Telephonic Interview
More companies are now using telephone interviews for the hiring process. Often, the telephone interview will be one of several interviews an applicant will need to go through before they are hired by a company.
Despite this, learning how to successfully handle telephone interviews is crucially important. If you don’t make it past the telephone interview, you will not be hired by the company, even if you are qualified. Many companies will use telephone interviews to help them lower their expenses. They are also used as a method of screening a large group of applicants to decide who is qualified for a group interview.
It is important for you to be prepared for a telephone interview. These interviews will be broken down into two types, and these are automated and non-automated. Automated telephone interviews are those that require you to answer a series of questions. With the non-automated telephone interview, you will be talking to an actual human. Many companies use both. You will want to prepare for a telephone interview in the same way you would prepare for a standard interview. However, the tone of your voice and the answers you give to questions will play a bigger role than your appearance.
Always keep your resume in a place where you can easily view it. You will be asked questions during the interview that you may need to answer with the information you have on your resume. If you have to look for it, the interview is over. During most telephone interviews, the employer will ask you about things you’ve accomplished. You will either need to have your accomplishments memorized, or you will need to have them written down. You should always have a pen and paper ready. You may be required to write down important information, and you won’t have time to go look for these things.
If you will not be able to conduct a telephone interview at a specific time, it is important to make sure you let the employer know this. Missing the interview will kill your chances of being hired immediately. Before the interview starts, you will need to make sure you are in a quiet place. Noisy distractions such as pets, children, and loud noises must be stopped before the interview starts. Make sure there is no loud music playing, and the television and radio should be turned off. While conducting a telephone interview may sound easy, it is more difficult than you think. It is best to practice the telephone interview. You can do this with your family or friends. While speaking properly is important in a standard interview, it is crucial on the telephone.
The interviewer will place an emphasis on your tone of voice, background noise, and the way you answer questions. If you speak too soft, too fast, or too loud, you will increase your chances of failing the telephone interview. The automated interview will require you to concentrate. You should have a general idea of the questions that you will be asked, and you should have your answers prepared in advance. When you talk on the phone, avoid using the expressions "ums," "okays," and "uhs." Saying these things too much will show that you are not prepared, or you lack confidence.
Obvious things that you will want to avoid during the telephone interview are loud background noises, eating food, or drinking. Having a small glass of water nearby can help you keep your mouth dry, and this can improve your voice. As in regular interviews, never interrupt the person that interviewing you. Wait until they ask a question or make a statement before you give a response. Always use the title of the person you are talking to.
You should never use their first name unless they tell you its okay. Remember, your goal should be to pass the telephone interview so that you can move on to the next interview. It is the first step, and is just as important as the other interviews. You will need to make sure you’re prepared before it starts.
You can’t afford to make mistakes. Mistakes will lead to failure, and you are not given a whole lot of chances during the telephone interview.