Phone Interview

Phone Interview

Interview: The main objective of this interview is to get the technical interview or invited to an in-person interview. This interview is to determine the person's personality and team work. Warm up your voice and vocal cord---it may help to make you sound more confident, firm and pleasant. Your voice tells many things about you. 

During the Phone Interview

• Don't smoke, chew gum, eat, or drink.
• Do keep a glass of water handy, in case you need to wet your mouth.
• Smile. Smiling will project a positive image to the listener and will change the tone of your voice.
• Speak slowly and enunciate clearly.
• Use the person's title (Mr. or Ms. and their last name.) Only use a first name if they ask you to.
• Don't interrupt the interviewer.
• Take your time - it's perfectly acceptable to take a moment or two to collect your thoughts.
• Give short answers.
• Remember your goal is to set-up a face-to-face interview. After you thank the interviewer ask if it would be possible to meet in person.

After the Interview:

• Take notes about what you were asked and how you answered.
• Remember to say "thank you." Follow with a thank you note which reiterates your interest in the job.

DOs:

• Getting ready for the interview:
• Go to the bathroom before the appointment time in case the interview lasts longer than you expect.
• Drink just plain cold water
• If you use a hand set phone, make sure you have charged it properly.
• Have your resume, paper, pen, and a glass of water handy
• Take the call in a quiet area of the house---no kids, vehicles' sound pollution, no dogs, or any other distractions.
• Be on time to show that you respect and value the interview appointment
• Make sure you do not have another appointment close to the interview---incase the interviewer needs more time.
• Read your resume thoroughly to explain your professional or projects' experience
• Be prepared to give a positive two or three minute summary of your professional career.
• If you did not understand the question, ask him/ her to repeat the question.
• Be sincere.
• Be enthusiastic.Speak confidently, clearly and slowly.
• Ask the interviewer about the client location, project duration, etc.
• Ask the interviewer at the end of the conversation where you stand and what the next step is.
  
  Don't:
• When you are on the phone, if you don't understand the question, don't pretend that you did. Ask them to repeat the question.
• Do not feel nervous.
• Don't sound phony.
• If you cannot answer certain questions, admit to the interviewer frankly and offer to do more research on the subject and that you think you can get an answer soon.
• If you don't know, simply say that you don't know. Be careful not to misrepresent the information or lie to the interviewer. Trying to cover up the truth only makes things worse.

• Try to avoid using cell phones. Your client may not hear you properly.