Quick Phone Interview Tips and Tricks

To the uninitiated, phone interviews might seem a little odd. You may be thinking-what kind of impression can I possibly make just by talking to the HR Director or hiring manager over the phone? Don't they need to SEE me?

The truth is that they don't. Seeing you takes time. Schlepping you around the office, talking to you for at least an obligatory half-hour, and then walking you out, all take time. These days, people in offices don't have time to spend on candidates who look good on paper, but can't carry on a conversation.

So here's some tips on what they're looking for in that phone screen.

1. Be focused. Never, never, ever take a phone interview when you are doing something else, or when there is anything going on in the background of the call. If you were in the interviewer's office you would be focused and attentive to every word that they said. It should be the same way when you're in a phone interview. Eliminate every single distraction (or as many as possible). If you don't, an interviewer will hear it and assume that you're not really interested in this job. If you end up taking an interview and cannot get to a quiet place (i.e. taking it on your cell phone at your lunch hour), tell them that so they know that you recognize the problem, but can't do anything about it.


2. Be friendly. Keep in mind that your entire personality is now being judged by the sound of your voice. You may think that you're being professional by not laughing at the interviewer's polite jokes, but you're coming across as boring and dull. As they always say, put a smile on your face. Concentrate on being friendly.


3. Because they're judging you completely on your voice and grammar, you need to watch your language. Start TODAY to eliminate those verbal crutches-the ums, ahs and likes-from your vocabulary. I assure you, when all that an interviewer has to judge you on is your questionable grammar coming through the earpiece they'll pass you by for someone who is more polished and pulled together.

Melanie Szlucha has been a hiring manager for over 15 years and a career coach for over 4 through her company Red Inc. She writes resumes, coaches clients for job interviews, and works with them to strategize networking opportunities and job search tactics.

She offers a packet of FREE job search articles--worth over $100, through her website: http://www.reallygreatresume.com.

Following her on Twitter ( http://www.twitter.com/Red_Inc ) gives you one great job search tip per day for FREE!

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