Preparing a phone interview : some helpful tips

Organizations use telephone interviewing during the hiring process for many reasons. Some say it saves them money, takes less time than a live interview, and allows an employer to interview candidates from a wider geographical area.

Here are some helpful tips on how to prepare for a telephone interview:

Prepare yourself:

• Have a copy of your CV, transcript, and the job description in front of you during the interview.
• Keep a list of companies and titles of jobs you applied for, which will help you be better prepared if you are called unexpectedly.
• If possible, attend phone interview workshops and participate in mock phone interviews offered by different University or college career centers.
• Practice and practice some more. Practice makes perfect!
  

Be professional:

• Have a "prepared" response ready for a recruiter if you're caught off guard.
• Turn off your radio or the TV during the interview.
• Don't eat, drink, or chew gum during the interview.
• Don't type on your computer during the interview and make sure you're in a quiet and relaxing area.
• Don't put an interviewer on hold to take another call and don't reveal too much about your personal life (kids, dogs, political views and all the rest).

All of these things sound basic but they are often neglected.

Be sociable:

• Being enthusiastic shows interest in the position.
• Ask pertinent questions about the job, not just about salary, benefits, and/or hours.
• Talk slowly and show self-confidence.
• Thank the interviewer for his or her time.

As with any type of interviewing, the better-prepared candidate will have a definite edge. Phone screenings can benefit the job seeker by offering the candidate a chance to interview with an employer that may not be close to his/her home geographically, but may the type of organization in which the candidate wishes to work.