What
type of Interview? Learn the various types of interviews and
how to be ready for them:
Phone
interview Interview
Q & A
Traditional interview
Behavioural interview
Situational interview
Stress interview and off-the-wall questions
Case interview
Panel interview
Phone
interview
Employers are increasingly using phone interviews as a cost
saving, screening device, especially to cut down on travel
expenses to bring in candidates from distant locations. Many
of the same principles of effective interviewing apply to
phone interviews, but some aspects are quite different. Here
are some guidelines for successful phone interviews:
1. In the event the interviewer misses you when calling to
schedule the interview, be sure you have a professional-sounding
outgoing greeting on your voicemail or answering machine.
If you have others in your household, ensure that anyone who
might answer the phone can professionally take a message.
2. Consider enlisting a friend or family member to conduct
a mock phone interview with you for practice.
3. Try to arrange to be the one who places the call so you
have control over exactly when the interview takes place.
If not, at least schedule the call at a specific time rather
than in a general span of time so you will be prepared at
the exact appointment time. Be sure you schedule as much time
as the interviewer needs. If the interviewer calls and wants
to do the interview on the spot, tell him or her how much
time you have available (if you have any constraints). Offer
to call right back or reschedule if you’re in the middle
of something.
4. Favour a landline for the interview over your cell phone,
especially if your cell phone is prone to dropped calls.
5. Be sure you’re in a quiet, secluded place, free of
distractions, at the time of your phone-interview appointment.
6. While it’s tempting to do the interview in your PJs
or bathrobe – simply because you can – dress nicely
for the session, perhaps even in formal interview attire,
because you will project yourself in a more confident and
professional manner if you do.
7. Some experts advise standing up for the interview as this
position also enables you to project yourself professionally
and helps your voice carry.
8. Speak clearly and ensure that you can be heard.
9. Avoid any behaviors that will cause distracting sounds
during the interview, such as gum chewing, coughing, snuffling,
sneezing, and throat clearing. Have a glass of water handy
in case your throat gets dry or ticklish. If you feel yourself
going off on, for example, an unstoppable coughing jag, ask
if the interviewer would like to reschedule.
10. Just as you should smile in a face-to-face interview to
project enthusiasm, smile as much as possible in the phone
interview. The interviewer can’t see your smile but
will hear it in your voice.
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