Phone Interview Guide

Page 1

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>.


FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT PACE UNIVERSITY CAREER SERVICES: CALL 212-346-1950 EMAIL CAREERS@PACE.EDU OR VISIT OUR OFFICE 41 PARK ROW, 14TH FLOOR


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