Phone Interview

"Increasingly companies or their outside recruiters want you to go through a telephone interview first. In a typical search assignment with 100 or more candidates, I identify the 15 that interest me most and call them. Based on my impressions during telephone screening interviews, I meet with five or seven of these people. Only three of them make the shortlist that I present to my client." (Jorg Stegemann, a headhunter with Kennedy Executive Search & Outplacement in Paris - Forbes Magazine)

Why do employers use telephone interviews?

Employers usually use telephone interviews when they receive a lot of applications or are recruiting for a lot of positions. It’s a way of narrowing down the candidates into a number that it is possible for them to interview face-to-face. If the employer is recruiting nationally phone interviews can also be a way for them to save on travel expenses.

There are two types of phone interviews — scheduled and unscheduled. Unscheduled calls never work in your favor. If you’re caught by surprise, schedule another time to talk.

During this phase, employers want to use the phone call to reduce the number of candidates for the in person interviews. There are two main goals you should achieve in a Phone interview

1. Sell yourself as the perfect candidate for the role

2. Show that you know the company

Preparation

Do your homework. Thoroughly research the company and the interviewer, just as if you were preparing to meet in person. Expect some variation on the question, “What do you know about us?” If you are not able to state the company’s key figures, strategy and markets, the interview might be over after only three minutes. One of the nice things about a phone interview is that you can have your “cheat sheet” in front of you.

Create a comfortable environment. If you don’t have a lot of experience with phone interviews, you might find them more stressful than live ones. So do everything you can to feel at ease. Shut out distractions and eliminate background noise (for example, from young children and pets). Have a a glass of water handy. Print out your résumé and mark key parts that you want to highlight in the conversation. Be ready 10 minutes early, so you don’t sound rushed.

Create a checklist. Review the job posting and make a list of how your qualifications match the hiring criteria. Have the list available so you can glance at it during the interview. Also have a copy of your resume in clear view, so you don't have to remember what you did when.

Have questions to ask the interviewer ready. Be prepared to respond when the interview asks whether you have any questions for him or her.

During the Interview

What traps a lot of people is they think and talk at the same time. They make up answers on the fly," says Mr. McGowan, founder of communications-coaching firm Clarity Media Group Inc. "It's better if you know your conversational path

Typical questions:

What do you know about the company?

Why do you want the job?

What are your greatest strengths?

What are your career goals?

How do you see yourself fitting in?

Create a positive ending. If you really want the job, end the call on a positive note. Say something to the effect of, “Thanks for the call. I like what I heard and from this information, I am confident I could fill the role. I am very interested in this job and would be pleased to meet you in person. What is the next step?”