| The qualification interview might be | | | | be prepared for the next phone call which |
| conducted by telephone or in person at the | | | | just might turn out to be the qualifying |
| organization's office. If you survived the | | | | interview. Are you prepared? Probably not. |
| initial screening interview, then you now | | | | That is because the interviewer is prepared |
| have to be prepared for a very in-depth, | | | | to begin asking you questions about your |
| qualifying interview that is really going to | | | | background, experience and achievements as |
| test your mettle. | | | | soon as they get you on the line. You, on |
| | | | the other hand, usually have no idea who is |
| #1 Demonstrate your experience. | | | | calling you, and thus, may not be ready at |
| | | | that moment, or even be in the situation to |
| What the interviewer wants to know with | | | | carry on an interview. |
| certainty is do you really have the | | | | |
| qualities, attributes, skill set, experience, | | | | #5 Answer your phone only when you're ready. |
| background, technical know-how, etc. to do | | | | |
| this job as required? Because if you do, | | | | If you do not recognize the incoming phone |
| they want to get you into their office as | | | | number then let the caller go into your |
| soon as possible so you can be interviewed by | | | | voicemail. By letting the call go into |
| their own personnel to confirm that you would | | | | voicemail you have some time to prepare. |
| be a good match for their firm and that you | | | | That way you can take a moment to compose |
| have a lot to offer them. They do not want | | | | yourself and be better prepared to call back |
| to let you get away or allow the competition | | | | at a time more suitable to you so you can |
| to get a hold of you first. Thus, the | | | | give the best interview possible. Give |
| qualification interview is likely to be | | | | yourself the best possible opportunity to be |
| scheduled after the screening interview as | | | | calm, cool and collected before you give your |
| soon as possible, usually within days. | | | | interview. |
| | | | |
| #2 Back up your experience with examples. | | | | When you list your phone number on your |
| | | | resume, you can be absolutely certain an |
| The qualification interview is going to | | | | employer will use that to make an initial |
| heavily scrutinize your resume, project list | | | | contact. Now you know an employer is going |
| (if applicable) and your answers from the | | | | to call you; you must anticipate this and be |
| initial interview. You have to be prepared | | | | prepared. Thus, it is imperative that the |
| to back up your knowledge and experience, | | | | message on your phone is professional, warm |
| provide examples, demonstrate know-how, | | | | and courteous. It should not be cute, |
| articulate your problem-solving skills and | | | | humorous, folksy or anything else but above |
| accomplishments, and in general, simply sell | | | | board and professional. This is another |
| yourself. | | | | "first impression" and you do not want to |
| | | | drop the ball here. |
| #3 Be consistent on your answers. | | | | |
| | | | #6 Conduct the interview on your terms. |
| Just as important, your answers must be | | | | |
| consistent with those given in the screening | | | | If the caller wants to conduct the next phase |
| interview. Your success at this level is | | | | by phone, you are now prepared to do so and |
| going to determine whether or not you will be | | | | on your terms. You can also be reasonably |
| seriously considered any further and whether | | | | assured that this too will be a behavioral |
| or not it is worth the company's money to | | | | interview (questions about your past often |
| bring you in for a team interview. After | | | | predict your future action) because it is by |
| all, it costs the firm money and resources to | | | | phone and usually these are not conference |
| conduct interviews and to pull management | | | | called, team interviews at this point. |
| away from everyday duties and | | | | |
| responsibilities. | | | | However, it will be so much better for you if |
| | | | they are inviting you to their office for the |
| #4 Be well prepared for your interview. | | | | interview because now you have days to |
| | | | actually prepare and to practice on your |
| This interview is generally set up in | | | | interview techniques. Whichever interview |
| advanced, but is not always. Your telephone | | | | the firm is planning to use with you, either |
| or email is going to play an important role | | | | a behavioral or team interview, or some |
| here. Considering you have already had one | | | | combination thereof, you are in a good |
| interview (screening interview) and it | | | | position to be properly prepared at this |
| seemingly went well, you have to assume and | | | | junction. |