ComputerHunter.org

 

Job Interviews: Six Steps to Acing a Telephone Interview


Telephone interviews are becoming more popular these days. Whether that's good or bad depends on how you handle them!

Sometimes telephone interviews are used as a pre-screening technique for all candidates. Other times they are reserved for candidates who live far away.

Regardless of the reason, you must take them as seriously as an in-person interview.

In other words, you must be prepared if you're going to ace the test. Here are six steps that will help you do just that:

#1. Take the call when you're ready. If an employer calls and wants to do the interview when you're not expecting it (instead of setting up an appointment), excuse yourself politely ("I'm in the middle of something right now?") and offer to call back in ten minutes. This will give you time to prepare.

#2. Get rid of distractions. Take the call on a phone in a quiet room - away from co-workers, radio, television, family, roommates, or anything else that may make noise or take your attention away from your task.

#3. Gather your tools by the phone. These include:

? Your resume

? Pen and paper to jot down notes, including the interviewer's name

? Company research (with relevant information highlighted)

? Questions to ask about the company and position

? A list of your selling points to mention, and items to cover as you talk about the position. These include your best qualities, specific experience and skills related to the position, and personal traits such as dedication, enthusiasm, and team-building skills.

#4. Stand up to talk. Your position affects the quality of your voice. If you are sitting down relaxing, you don't project the same enthusiasm and intensity as you do if you're standing up. Also, smile as you're talking. It will come through in your voice.

#5. Make a good sales presentation. You are selling yourself, so make sure you do it well... Just as you would during an in-person interview. Ensure that you've covered all the selling points on your list. (You do have a list, don't you?)

#6. Let the employer end the interview. When it's obvious the conversation is over, don't try to drag it on. Say "Thank you for your time," reiterate your interest in the position, and ask what the next step will be.

Follow these steps, perform well on the telephone, and you'll be invited to an on-site interview with the hiring manager!

Bonnie Lowe is author of the popular Job Interview Success System and free information-packed ezine, "Career-Life Times." Find those and other powerful career-building resources and tips at her website: http://www.Best-Interview-Strategies.com







Google News - Top Stories

Voice of America

Ford Says It Can Survive but Urges a Rescue for the Industry
New York Times - 49 minutes ago
By NICK BUNKLEY DETROIT - The Ford Motor Company told Congress on Tuesday that it wanted access to $9 billion in loans but that it could survive and become profitable in three years without the money unless the current recession “is longer and deeper ...
UPDATE: Ford Asks For $9 Billion Backstop Loan; Aims For '11 Profit CNNMoney.com
Ford Makes Concessions in Effort to Get Government Help Washington Post
Reuters - Forbes - Bizjournals.com - guardian.co.uk
all 2,349 news articles


guardian.co.uk

Poll: Americans feel good about Obama, Cabinet choices
USA Today - 1 hour ago
By Susan Page, USA TODAY WASHINGTON - President-elect Barack Obama is riding a wave of good feeling toward him and his key Cabinet appointments, a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll finds - positive attitudes that may give him some breathing room for tough ...
Video: Obama Picks Gates, Clinton for Foreign Policy AssociatedPress
Obama’s team of stars: Can he manage it? Christian Science Monitor
Salt Lake Tribune - FOXNews - ABC News - Financial Times
all 4,053 news articles


Telegraph.co.uk

US says Pakistani-based group likely hit Mumbai
Reuters - 37 minutes ago
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A group based in Pakistan may have been responsible for the attacks by militants in India's financial hub of Mumbai that killed 183 people, a senior State Department official said on Tuesday.
New template for terror? Christian Science Monitor
India, Pakistan tread lightly after Mumbai attack The Associated Press
Bloomberg - FOXNews - Wall Street Journal - AFP
all 3,445 news articles


ABC News

Report: World at Risk of Bio, Nuke Attack
ABC News - 1 hour ago
By JASON RYAN A biological or nuclear attack is likely to occur somewhere around the globe during the Obama administration or shortly thereafter, a new congressionally mandated report has warned.
Biological terror attack likely by 2013, panel says CNN
Nuclear, biological attack 'likely': US commission AFP
Times Online - Voice of America - Global Security Newswire - Washington Times
all 602 news articles


The Miami Herald

Mel Martinez won't seek Senate reelection
The Miami Herald - 3 hours ago
Sen. Mel Martinez, R-Fla., speaks at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., Sept. 4, 2008. Martinez , who has struggled to boost his approval rating since taking office, will not seek a second term in 2010, a state Republican party ...
Martinez will not seek re-election Bizjournals.com
Mel Martinez To Retire Washington Post
Reuters - Bloomberg - MyFoxOrlando.com - Sarasota Herald-Tribune
all 392 news articles

Google
 

Copyright © 2006 Computer Hunter - A Division of Arthur´s Job Base