| Telephone interviews are usually used as the first | | | | This might mean asking to be called outside of |
| stage in the screening process. | | | | office hours.Don't do it at work. |
| | | | You'll be too nervous to do yourself justice. And |
| Although people sometimes get nervous about | | | | what would happen if your boss walked in? |
| them, they're actually a chance for you to make a | | | | Dress as you would for a face-to-face interview. |
| great first impression. | | | | Sit upright in your chair and hold the phone as you |
| | | | would at work. All of this helps you present a |
| Being offered a phone interview is a really good sign. | | | | professional image. If you're at home, in your jeans |
| It means the company is seriously considering you | | | | and lounging on the sofa, you could come across as |
| for the job. It also saves you the time and expense | | | | being too laid back.Really listen. |
| of travelling to a face-to-face screening interview. | | | | You can't see the interviewer, so you'll need to |
| | | | concentrate on their tone of voice and what they're |
| Telephone interviews are normally quite basic, | | | | saying. You won't get the visual clues that tell you |
| without too many trick questions.Typically, a | | | | what they thought of your answer, so you'll need to |
| company will want to get to know you a little - get a | | | | put in the effort to listen to their response. You |
| feel for the personality behind the CV. They'll | | | | might be surprised how much information a "pregnant |
| probably ask you a few questions about your CV, | | | | pause" can give you.Think about your body language. |
| work experience, skills, background and why you | | | | Try to imagine the other person sat on their end of |
| want the job. It's easy to prepare for this type of | | | | the phone and move your body as though you were |
| question, before they call you. | | | | looking at them in a normal conversation. If you |
| | | | would normally smile, then smile. This will help you |
| It's really important to take a telephone interview | | | | avoid sounding "wooden" on the phone. |
| seriously. It's more than just a chat: the interviewer | | | | In summary: as long as you take it seriously and |
| will be deciding whether to invite you to a | | | | prepare well, you should breeze through the |
| face-to-face interview. You should treat it as | | | | telephone job interview and make it to the next |
| seriously as any other type of job interview. | | | | round of recruitment. Good luck!Clare Jaques is |
| | | | Director of InterviewStuff.comClare is an international |
| To prepare for a phone interview, it's critical to:Set | | | | consultant, trainer and coach, specialising in business |
| the call up for a time when you're able to relax and | | | | communication skills. |
| not be disturbed. | | | | |