Speak Clearly And Slowly
Phone interviews are different than in-person interviews. The interviewer cant see your body language and thus they cant fill those conversations gaps. That is why you must speak slowly and clearly. Wait for a bit before you start answering. When you dont see a person and their body language its hard to determine when someone is finished talking. Take your time before jumping to an answer.
Be An Active Listener
Be attentive, ask insightful questions and engage with the recruiter. This will show that youre taking the interview seriously and that you genuinely care about what they have to say. Practicing with friends or family could be greatly beneficial. Make sure youre listening to every word, and follow-up with questions that show you were actively listening to what they were saying.
Related: Active Listening Skills: Definition and Examples
Practice With A Mock Interview
Are your interview skills a little rusty? Participating in mock interviews is a great way to rehearse your answers and work out some of the kinks in your interview strategy before the call.
Stop by your schools career center and ask if they offer phone mock interviews. Just be aware that they may record the phone call so you can listen to yourself afterwards. Although this may sound torturous, listening to yourself speak can be extremely effective at helping reduce those dreaded ums and uhs on a phone call.
If youre not affiliated with a school, consider reaching out to a former boss, coworker, or mentor and asking if you could run your job experiences by them. This is a low-pressure way to practice your interview skills plus, its an excellent opportunity to get back in touch.
Read Also: How To Get Ready For A Job Interview
If You Were Hired How Soon Can You Start
Oh boy. If youre an out of area hire and are required to relocate, this answer is far from a simple one.
First off, dont ever answer with Now! Not only will you come off as desperate, but if youre already employed with another job, youre going to have to do the right thing and give notice.
Its easy to get intimidated and over-commit to an early start datebut the worst thing you can do is give a date to a new employer and then have to ask for more time. Not the right way to start out your long and mutually beneficial working relationship! Then you have to factor in the actual logistics of making a move.
Even one just across town can be as daunting as one across statesor in some cases, countries! Depending on the size of your move you could be looking at anything from a few days to a few months.
Again, be honest!
Many employers, if theyre genuinely interested in hiring you, will have programs in place to help you relocate and ease the burdens that come with a full move.
If they dont, make sure to take that into consideration as well. Words to the wisealways ask for MORE time than you initially think youll need. Trust us, in the long run, its far better to have more time than you need than to run out and have to ask for an extension.
One thing NOT to focus on during an initial phone interview is salaryat least not until youve had a chance to read our article When And How To Discuss Salary During The Job Interview Process.
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This post was originally published at an earlier date.
Are you in your 40s and thinking of changing careers? You’re not alone. And you’re certainly not crazy. In fact, if there’s ever a time you canand shouldreinvent yourself, that time is now.
Below are four ways to start your career transition so you can successfully change careers in your 40s.
Also Check: How Do You Prepare For A Job Interview
Take Advantage Of Being Unseen
There are several advantages of being unseen:
- You can wear comfortable clothes.
- You should have your resume/notes/questions strategically spread across the desk so you can reference key answers to phone interview questions you know youll be asked.
- Plus, you can have one little page of reminders taken from this article to make sure you dont slip into bad habits.
In some ways, being unseen takes some of the pressure off. You dont have to be aware of your posture, eye contact, or facial expressions. But dont let this aspect lull you into a false sense of security. You still have to remain on top of your game the whole time.
Pause For Dramatic Effect
Even if you know what you’re going to say next, pause briefly before each answer. Doing so makes you say seem thoughtful, which can add weight and authority to your answer. It also gives you a chance to breathe. And remember: There’s no need to fill in the silence with nervous-sounding filler words like “um” and “ah.” Instead, leverage silence as a source of strength.
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What Are Common Second Interview Questions
Here are some interview questions that often come up during a second interview and that you should be ready for :1. What is it about this job that interests you?2. What do you want from your career and how does this job fit into that?3. Can you give an example of your problem-solving abilities?4. Can you give us what you think are your three most important qualifications for this position?5. Why should we hire you?
How To Prepare For A Phone Interview Here Are 6 Interview Tips
- by tgrubi13
You have a great resume you are a perfect candidate for the job and you get an invite for a phone interview. Many companies use phone call interviews to determine whether they want to meet a candidate in person. Its like a preliminary screening. There is no need to panic because with our phone interview tips you can still ace a phone call and get invited to the next round.
Phone interviews are mostly about you, your background, skills, previous experiences, your expectations, reasons for applying, etc. The interviewer will also describe the job duties and responsibilities and will try to determine whether you are fit for the company. Even though these questions seem easy or dull, you still need to approach them professionally. Here are a few tips on how to prepare for a phone interview/screening:
Also Check: How To Pass A Phone Interview
Prepare Yourself For Potential Issues
The neighbor suddenly starts their renovation project in the middle of the interview, or theres a medical emergency, or your phone battery decides to retire, whether youre on charge or not. Decide beforehand how you will handle events like these and have a plan B. For starters, you might want to have a second phone handy or another place to conduct the interview, thats easily accessible within a few seconds.
Or, worst case, you might have to phone the interviewer back as soon as you can and apologize. Ask whether its possible to reschedule.
Optimize Your Resume With Keywords
In order for your resume to actually reach the hiring manager, it has to get past the ATS. Optimizing your resume with keywords is the best way to accomplish this. And you can’t properly optimize your resume if you’re not customizing it for each position you apply for.
Look at the job description before customizing your resume for the job you’re applying for. Most job seekers don’t realize that they could be missing out on job opportunities if they fail to do this. You need to customize your resume for each position you apply for, and it’s because you need to get your resume past the ATS, which is only possible if you have the right kind of keywords on your resume. Customizing your resume means you’re including the keywords from a specific job description to give yourself a better chance of landing a job interview for that specific position.
After reading the job description, pick out the specific skills, technologies, and terms the employer mentions in the job posting and add them to your resume if they match up with your experience and qualifications. If the ATS reads your resume and sees that it contains enough of the keywords the employer is looking for, you’ll “pass” as being qualified for the position and your resume won’t get tossed. You won’t get screened out of the hiring process because you’ll be considered a qualified job candidate at first glance. A lifeless, unoptimized resume won’t get you that far.
Don’t Miss: How To Prepare For A Job Interview Over The Phone
Prepare For What You Need
If youre a compulsive list-maker, eat your heart out because this is your time to shine, baby! List everything that youll need during your interview slot:
- Your phone Make sure the phone is charged and have the charger handy just in case.
- A quiet place No bustling coffee shops or your kitchen when everyone is home for the day. Choose a quiet space that allows you to focus on the interview. Its also important in terms of professionalism. If youre in a chaotic environment, it might make your interviewer feel like you didnt prioritize the meeting enough for you to seek out a quiet spot.
- A notepad and pen Hopefully youre going to ask some questions, even if its just to build rapport with the interviewer. Keep those notes so you can do a follow-up, or better yet, provide feedback when you land the in-person interview.
- Your notes Having your notes on-hand is kind of like taking an open book exam. You dont get any award for not using notes! Youll know exactly what to do in a phone interview, which takes some pressure off the interview.
Bonus:
Phone Interview Tip #: Understand Who’s Calling
Some Phone Interview Questions You Might Get:
- Tell me a little bit about your work history.
- Why are you looking to leave your current company?
- What is the biggest challenge you have seen at your current position and how did you overcome it?
- Describe a substantial win in your last position.
- What was your favorite/least favorite element of your last position?
- How can you contribute to our companys success?
- How well do you work by yourself, with a team?
- Why are you interested in coming to work for us?
- Why are you attracted to this specific position?
- What makes you the ideal candidate for this position?
- When can you come in for a face-to-face interview?
- Are you willing to relocate? If we don’t provide relocation assistance, are you still willing?
- What are your salary requirements?
- How far along are you in your search? Are you speaking to other companies?
- Tell me about in your resume.
- Where do you see yourself in five years?
- What questions do you have for me?
Recommended Reading: What Are The Best Interview Questions To Ask A Candidate
The Ultimate Guide: How To Prepare For A Phone Interview
OMG, I got a phone interview!
Oh, no. I have a phone interview
If that was your reaction to scoring a phone interview, then we totally get it. Phone interviews can be nerve-wracking, in part because there is so much that can potentially get lost in translation. Did the interviewer seem satisfied with your answers? Did they smile at your joke, or did you just come across as a total jerk? It can be really difficult to tell one way or the other when youre missing important nonverbal cues such as body language, facial expressions, and hand gestures.
Despite their anxiety-inducing nature, phone interviews arent all bad. After all, you get to have the interview in the comfort of your own home. Plus, you can have useful materials in front of you and jot down notes . But more importantly, scoring a phone interview means that youre one step closer to landing an internship or getting your dream job!
The secret to crushing the call and impressing your hiring manager? Preparation and lots of it. Below, well briefly explain the purpose of phone interviews before diving into the best ways to prepare for the call.
How To Nail A Teacher Phone Interview
by Suzanne Capek Tingley, Veteran Educator, M.A. Degree
Opportunity may call rather than knock on your door.
A teacher phone interview can be challenging. Your success depends on your ability to present yourself as a competent, professional, warm, and enthusiastic candidatewithout being able to see your interviewers!
Further reading: Highlighting Your Past Teaching Experience in Interviews
Schools today often screen candidates by phone before following up with a face-to-face meeting. Schools facing teacher shortages may even use phone interviews as substitutes for in-person interviews.
You can prepare yourself for a successful phone interview by planning ahead and knowing what to expect. Here are some tips to help you nail your next phone interview.
Also Check: What To Wear To An Interview Women
Tell Me About A Time You Overcame An Obstacle
Another one of my favorite questions. Interviewers ask this question to see if you are able to deal with roadblocks.
Things dont always go smoothly, so having people on the team who are able to solve problems has huge upside.
Being able to overcome obstacles is a great trait to have. Make sure you have a few stories about how something didnt go as planned that caused a challenge and how you were involved in solving the problem. Its a way of turning a bad situation into a good one.
Tell Me What You Know About The Role
Employers may ask this question to get a starting line for how much they need to tell you about the basics of the position youre applying for. It might also tell them whether or not youve taken the time to carefully read the job description and research as much as possible before.
Example answer:From the job description, I understand that you are looking for a bookkeeper to provide support to the departments financial activities primarily related to Accounts Payable and Procurement. I also understand that you require HIPAA compliance training, for which I am certified. It sounds like many of the daily tasks include processing vendor creation, journals, check requests, wire transfers and invoice for payments. Can you tell me more about why this position is open and what needs the team needs?
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Know Who Will Be Calling You
In many cases, youll be interviewing a recruiter, hiring manager or your direct supervisor. Do an online search to determine your interviewers role at the company. If youre interviewing with a recruiter, youll get more general questions regarding your experience. An interview with your direct supervisor, however, means youll get in-depth questions related to your industry and role.
Do You Have Any Questions
It is important that when given the opportunity, you ask at least a few thoughtful questions to your phone interviewer. This shows you are engaged, actively listening and genuinely interested in the opportunity.
Researching the company is an easy way to understand the companys history, mission and values. A great place to start is by browsing the companys website. You can also search the internet for recent news articles. Use the information you find to help shape your questions. Your initiative will be well-received because it proves you took the time to learn about the company and industry.
Here are a few example questions you might consider asking:
- What does a typical day look like for a person in this position?
- How has this role grown or adapted to suit the needs of the organization?
- What kind of growth does the company expect to see within the next five years?
- Do you have any concerns about my experience or skill set?
- Thank you for explaining the role to me in such depth. When might I hear back from you regarding next steps in the process?
Also Check: How To Start An Interview As The Interviewer Example
Consider Possible Interview Questions
Research common interview questions so you know what you might be expected to answer. Many interview questions fall into the same categoriesadaptability, leadership, collaboration, culture fit, prioritization and development. Determining the questions they might ask can help you gain confidence since youll know what to expect. Reviewing highly anticipated questions will ease any nerves going into the interview.
Related: 125 Common Interview Questions and Answers
Interview Questions About You
These questions are asked both to assess your level of self-knowledge and to determine whether you would be able to fit in with the employers workplace culture. The interviewer wants to know whether you’re the right person for the job and for the company.
- What are you looking for in your next job? – Best Answers
- What is your greatest weakness? – Best Answers
- What is your greatest strength? – Best Answers
- How do you handle stress and pressure? – Best Answers
- Tell me about yourself. – Best Answers
- Questions about your career goals. – Best Answers
- What type of work environment do you prefer? – Best Answers
- How do you evaluate success? – Best Answers
- Job interview questions about your abilities. – Best Answers
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