| The qualification interview might be conducted by | | | | turn out to be the qualifying interview. Are you |
| telephone or in person at the organization's office. If | | | | prepared? Probably not. That is because the |
| you survived the initial screening interview, then you | | | | interviewer is prepared to begin asking you questions |
| now have to be prepared for a very in-depth, | | | | about your background, experience and |
| qualifying interview that is really going to test your | | | | achievements as soon as they get you on the line. |
| mettle. | | | | 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 |
| What the interviewer wants to know with certainty | | | | moment, or even be in the situation to carry on an |
| is do you really have the qualities, attributes, skill set, | | | | interview. |
| experience, background, technical know-how, etc. to | | | | #5 Answer your phone only when you're ready. |
| do this job as required? Because if you do, they | | | | If you do not recognize the incoming phone number |
| want to get you into their office as soon as possible | | | | then let the caller go into your voicemail. By letting |
| so you can be interviewed by their own personnel to | | | | the call go into voicemail you have some time to |
| confirm that you would be a good match for their | | | | prepare. That way you can take a moment to |
| firm and that you have a lot to offer them. They do | | | | compose yourself and be better prepared to call |
| not want to let you get away or allow the | | | | back at a time more suitable to you so you can give |
| competition to get a hold of you first. Thus, the | | | | the best interview possible. Give yourself the best |
| qualification interview is likely to be scheduled after | | | | possible opportunity to be calm, cool and collected |
| the screening interview as soon as possible, usually | | | | before you give your interview. |
| within days. | | | | When you list your phone number on your resume, |
| #2 Back up your experience with examples. | | | | you can be absolutely certain an employer will use |
| The qualification interview is going to heavily | | | | that to make an initial contact. Now you know an |
| scrutinize your resume, project list (if applicable) and | | | | employer is going to call you; you must anticipate this |
| your answers from the initial interview. You have to | | | | and be prepared. Thus, it is imperative that the |
| be prepared to back up your knowledge and | | | | message on your phone is professional, warm and |
| experience, provide examples, demonstrate | | | | courteous. It should not be cute, humorous, folksy or |
| know-how, articulate your problem-solving skills and | | | | anything else but above board and professional. This |
| accomplishments, and in general, simply sell yourself. | | | | is another "first impression" and you do not want to |
| #3 Be consistent on your answers. | | | | drop the ball here. |
| Just as important, your answers must be consistent | | | | #6 Conduct the interview on your terms. |
| with those given in the screening interview. Your | | | | If the caller wants to conduct the next phase by |
| success at this level is going to determine whether or | | | | phone, you are now prepared to do so and on your |
| not you will be seriously considered any further and | | | | terms. You can also be reasonably assured that this |
| whether or not it is worth the company's money to | | | | too will be a behavioral interview (questions about |
| bring you in for a team interview. After all, it costs | | | | your past often predict your future action) because |
| the firm money and resources to conduct interviews | | | | it is by phone and usually these are not conference |
| and to pull management away from everyday duties | | | | called, team interviews at this point. |
| and responsibilities. | | | | However, it will be so much better for you if they |
| #4 Be well prepared for your interview. | | | | are inviting you to their office for the interview |
| This interview is generally set up in advanced, but is | | | | because now you have days to actually prepare and |
| not always. Your telephone or email is going to play | | | | to practice on your interview techniques. Whichever |
| an important role here. Considering you have already | | | | interview the firm is planning to use with you, either |
| had one interview (screening interview) and it | | | | a behavioral or team interview, or some combination |
| seemingly went well, you have to assume and be | | | | thereof, you are in a good position to be properly |
| prepared for the next phone call which just might | | | | prepared at this junction. |