the
Phone Interview Guide
Pace University Career Services
The following are some tips for what you want to do and what you want to avoid during interviews conducted via phone.
PHONE INTERVIEW BASICS Today, many companies
for a later time. If you
Generally, phone
conduct initial phone
receive an unexpected
interviews last between 15
interviews to help determine
call it is suggested
and 45 minutes. In this time,
the best qualified candidates
that you allow the call
employers are listening for
for job opportunities. Given
to go to voicemail, if
examples of professionalism,
this, it is important
not in a position to
enthusiasm for the position,
to make a great
have a professional
knowledge of the field,
impression that leads
conversation. This is
good communication skills,
you to an in-person
better than conducting an
thoughtful and concise
interview and one step
unprepared, impromptu
questions, and more in-
closer to landing the
interview.
depth information about
job.
you. NEVER put an Because there is no visual
In the phone interview,
interviewer on hold!
help in a phone interview, Finish a phone
the employer will see if you
parts of your message
meet the basic qualifications,
may be lost. The body
interview by conveying
compare your experiences
language component
your interest in the
with your resume, explain the
is removed from the
position and thanking
position to you, and gauge
phone interview, so
each individual who
your understanding of the
you must make up
participated in the
company. There will also
for this by smiling,
interview. Don’t forget to
be time for you to ask
watching your tone and
ask the timeframe in which
questions about the
volume, eliminating
you will be hearing back from
company.
verbal pauses from
them. You should e-mail
your language (um,
a thank you letter to each
like, uh, or trailing
individual within 48 hours. For
are scheduled in advance.
off), and maintaining
examples of thank you letter
If the interviewer calls at an
enthusiasm throughout
format, see The Letter Writing
unexpected time, you may
the interview.
Guide on our website.
Most phone interviews
ask to schedule the interview
PHONE INTERVIEW - DO’S • Prepare for the interview by compiling a list of your strengths and weaknesses, accomplishments and answers to typical questions. • Have your resume in front of you to refer to when speaking about your work experience. • Have a pen and paper available to take notes. • Be in a quiet place alone—turn off the radio, television and any other background noise that might be distracting. • Take a moment to think about the question, and, then, respond speaking slowly and clearly. • Smile during the phone interview to project a positive tone in your voice and your image. • Send a thank-you note after the phone interview to reiterate your interest in the position.
PHONE INTERVIEW - DON’TS • Smoke, eat or chew gum or candy during the interview. • Ramble—make sure that your answers are direct and to the point. • Interrupt the interviewer when he or she is speaking. • Provide too much information—keep your answers short and to the point; however, make sure to fully answer the questions. • Bad-mouth former employers.
Information Source: “Phone Interview Guide | Business Career Services - Iowa State University.” Phone Interview Guide | Business Career Services - Iowa State University. Iowa State University Career Services, n.d. Web. 12 June 2012. <http:// www.business.iastate.edu/careers/students/guides/phone_interview>.
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