TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS
Many companies use an initial telephone interview in their process so it's important to know what you can do, to ensure you perform well during the telephone interview process. Here are ten ways to improve your chances of success...
1. Use a land line;
This doesn't take much explaining. Interviews are hard to come by. The last thing you want to do is drop the . . . hello. Hello? Can you hear me? I think you get the point - and don't use a speaker phone.
2. Dress for success;
Go through the normal routine you would have followed if this had happened to be a face to face interview. It sounds silly but taking these steps will trick your body into thinking it needs to be at the top of its game.
3. Centre down;
Allow yourself a bit of time (15 minutes or so) before the call to relax and focus, so that when the call comes you're not busy doing something else.
4. Talk with your hands;
Allow yourself to use your hands while talking. Studies show that your brain can think of the exact words you want to use more easily when you allow your hands to move freely as you would in normal conversation.
5. Smile;
When someone smiles when you're talking on the phone, you can hear it. So will your interviewer.
6. Hydrate;
Keep some water handy;
You don't want to keep the interviewer waiting if you get choked up or your mouth gets dry (and it will).
7. Check for agreement;
The job interview is a sale and the product is you;
There is one question that is a salesperson's best friend and it is, “Did I answer your question completely?" Questions like this give the interviewer the opportunity to ask more questions of you and take away the opportunity for him/her to make excuses as to why you're not a good fit.
8. CloseYou're selling yourself and salespeople close;
Even though you know the interviewer probably won't be able to commit to moving you further in the process ask him/her to do so anyway.
9. Mind your posture;
Sit up straight in a quiet place with all your notes in front of you OR (even better) lay your notes out on a desk or large workspace and stand up while you talk.
10. Control. Your. Cadence;
When we're nervous, we have a tendency to talk fast. Make a concerted effort to slow your speech and enunciate.
Many companies use an initial telephone interview in their process so it's important to know what you can do, to ensure you perform well during the telephone interview process. Here are ten ways to improve your chances of success...
1. Use a land line;
This doesn't take much explaining. Interviews are hard to come by. The last thing you want to do is drop the . . . hello. Hello? Can you hear me? I think you get the point - and don't use a speaker phone.
2. Dress for success;
Go through the normal routine you would have followed if this had happened to be a face to face interview. It sounds silly but taking these steps will trick your body into thinking it needs to be at the top of its game.
3. Centre down;
Allow yourself a bit of time (15 minutes or so) before the call to relax and focus, so that when the call comes you're not busy doing something else.
4. Talk with your hands;
Allow yourself to use your hands while talking. Studies show that your brain can think of the exact words you want to use more easily when you allow your hands to move freely as you would in normal conversation.
5. Smile;
When someone smiles when you're talking on the phone, you can hear it. So will your interviewer.
6. Hydrate;
Keep some water handy;
You don't want to keep the interviewer waiting if you get choked up or your mouth gets dry (and it will).
7. Check for agreement;
The job interview is a sale and the product is you;
There is one question that is a salesperson's best friend and it is, “Did I answer your question completely?" Questions like this give the interviewer the opportunity to ask more questions of you and take away the opportunity for him/her to make excuses as to why you're not a good fit.
8. CloseYou're selling yourself and salespeople close;
Even though you know the interviewer probably won't be able to commit to moving you further in the process ask him/her to do so anyway.
9. Mind your posture;
Sit up straight in a quiet place with all your notes in front of you OR (even better) lay your notes out on a desk or large workspace and stand up while you talk.
10. Control. Your. Cadence;
When we're nervous, we have a tendency to talk fast. Make a concerted effort to slow your speech and enunciate.