wrtg presentation - phone interviews

The telephone interview: How to master the telephone

interview.Presented by:Chase SnyderNick SimonJames Watt

Your personal experience:

– Who here has ever conducted a phone interview with a prospective employer?

– If one has, how did it differ from a face to face interview

– If no one has, what do you think the biggest difference is between the two types interviews

Introduction to Phone Interviews

• The objective of a telephone interview:- To provide the company an opportunity to

verify your interest and qualifications for the position.

- To arrange a personal visit as soon as possible.

• Phone interviews generally last 20-30 minutes and can be planned or unexpected

• You are not seeking an offer*• Most telephone interviews are pre-

screening, unless long distance results into true interview

* Unless implied

Three types of phone interviews

• There are three basic types of telephone interviews:– You initiate a call to the hiring

manager and they are interested in your background.

– A company calls you based upon a previous contact.

– You have a pre-set time with a company representative to speak further on the phone.

http://www.argus-tech.com/interview/ie_telep.htm

Why companies conduct phone

interviews• Essentially, to reduce the pool of

candidates– A screening process after paper

applications– It helps the follow up interviewer

with baseline information– It is cost efficient to the company– Long distance

Why is this important to us?

• They are becoming increasingly common

• As companies cost cut, we should expect this in future employment searches

• We will be graduating soon, a situation like this might come in the near future

• We must be ready

Before the Interview

• A huge advantage of a phone interview is that you cannot been seen.

• Have a notepad to take notes.• Have all interview materials handy.

– Resume– Company Information– Other information that might help you

answer questions

Before the interview

• If your interview is at a set time there are more things you can do to prepare.– Have a glass of water available– Go to the bathroom before your interview– Turn off call waiting on your phone.– Warm up your voice

• Sing a song you like• Practice answering questions

– Make sure nothing is going to disturb you• Turn off your TV, computer, or anything else that

might make an unexpected sound

Techniques During the Interview

• “The Phone Personality Matching Technique”– Try to match your rate of speaking

and tone of voice to that of the interviewer.

– Stay true to your personality, but push towards the personality of the interviewer.


• “The Open and Available Technique”– Have all your information readily

available and visible.– Have a “cheat sheet” with

information you might not remember perfectly off the top of your head.• Information about the employer and

their business• Also, information and stories about

yourself that might be relevant.


• “The Stand and Deliver Technique”– Stand Up!

• This will make you seem more enthusiastic, give you a more positive image, and will allow you to respond faster to the interviewer.


• “The Vanity Technique”– Look in a mirror and smile

throughout your phone call.• You project a more positive tone of

voice when you smile• You will seem much “friendlier,

interested, and more alert.”

The Follow Up

• Make a log including the interviewers name, title, contact information, the position you interviewed and what follow up was planned– Take notes of how you answered

and your honest assessment• Send either an immediate email

or hand written thank you letter

Things to Avoid• 1. Being unprepared

• 2. Give long-winded answers• 3. Give a sob story

• 4. Tell jokes• 5. Lie

• 6. Trash a former employer• 7. Blame problems on co-workers

• 8. Act too familiar with your interviewers• 9. Give too many personal details

• 10. Show nervousness through tone of voice• 11. Chew gum

• 12. Be disrespectful• 13. Miss the call

• 14. Discuss money, time off or benefits unless an offer has been made• 15. Ask no questions

• 16. Cut short the interview for another appointment• 17. Give vague answers• 18. Use foul language

• 19. Act as if they need you more than you need them• 20. Excuse yourself often to use the bathroom or phone

• 21. Fail to follow up• 22. Fail to send a thank you note

Common Interview Questions

• Q. Tell me more about yourself.

• Q. Why did you choose this career?

• Q. Why do you want to work here at ABC Inc.?

• Q. What would you say is your strength? Your weakness?

• Q. What did you learn from your last job/internship/educational experience?

• Q. Why did you leave your previous job?

• Q. Why is there a 1 year gap in your resume?

• Q. What are your salary requirements?

Unexpected Occurrences

• Use a land line• If you must use a cell phone, make sure you are

in an area with good reception to avoid a dropped call.

• Dropped calls• If you do in fact get a dropped call, call back

immediately and explain the situation.

• Avoid Interruptions• Kick the kids and dog out so that nothing will

interrupt you. Turn off call-waiting to avoid phone interruptions.

Creative Activity

• Simulation of a Phone Interview– We will have an interviewee, an

interviewer, and a Narrator.– Periodically through out the

interview the acts will “freeze” and the narrator will ask the audience what just happened and if it was the best way he could respond or if he could have done something better or if he should not have done anything at all

References:

• "Advice for the Job Seeker: The Telephone Interview." Advice for the Job Seeker. 2008. TEK Systems. 11 Nov. 2008 <http://www.teksystems.com/careers/interview-tips/telephone-interview.aspx>.

• “Hentz, Maureen C. "Phone Interview Etiquette Can Propel You to the Next Step in the Hiring Process." Quint Careers. 2008. 11 Nov. 2008 <http://www.quintcareers.com/phone_interview_etiquette.html>.

References(cont.)

• "Phone Interview Guide." Phone Interview Guide. 2004. The Westminister Group. 11 Nov. 2008 <http://www.wgpeople.com/cc_phone.htm>.

• "Phone Interview Tips." Job Employement Guide. 2007. 11 Nov. 2008 <http://www.job-employment-guide.com/phone-interview-tips.html>.

• Patrick. "How To Do A Phone Interview." Cash Money Life. 1 Apr. 2008. Career and Education. 11 Nov. 2008 <http://cashmoneylife.com/2008/04/01/telephone-phone-job-interview/>.

References(cont.)

• Doyle, Alison. "Phone Interview Tips." About.com. 20 July 2006. About.com. 11 Nov. 2008 <http://jobsearch.about.com/cs/interviews/a/phoneinterview.htm>.

• "35 Things to Avoid at Your Job Interview." Businessschooledge.com. 23 Jan. 207. Businessschooledge. 11 Nov. 2008 <http://www.businessschooledge.com/35-things-to-avoid-at-your-job-interview>.

• Rudloff, Alex. "Common Interview Questions." Emurse.com. 7 Feb. 2007. Emurse.com. 11 Nov. 2008 <http://www.emurse.com/blog/2007/02/07/common-interview-questions/>.

References(cont.)

• "Chapter 19: Phone Interviewing Success." College Grad. <http://www.collegegrad.com/book/phone-interviewing-success/>.

• "Money and Business." U.S. News. <http://www.usnews.com/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2008/9/2/6-reasons-you-failed-the-phone-interview.html>.