Listen And Dont Dominate The Conversation
Yes, this is an interview which means theyre going to be asking you questions, but its also an opportunity to show your potential employer that youre good at listening too.
Talk, but dont dominate the conversation. Let the interviewer guide the conversation.
Answer the questions, but dont turn it into a one sided monologue. This is as much about you getting to know them as it is about them getting to know you.
Keep a pencil and paper nearby so you can jot down questions and notes and save them for the end.
Ask a few follow up questions but dont flip the interview onto the interviewer. It helps to reinforce to the interviewer that youre truly interested in the company and the job and that youve paid attention during the interview.
Have a copy of your resume with you so you can reference it at any time. Keep your answers honest, thoughtful and reflective.
Make sure you breathe and speak clearly.
Most importantly, smile! Sure, they might not be able to see it, but your tone of voice will reflect it.
Phone Interview Tip #1: Its Ok If You Need A Little Time To Answerbut Dont Take Forever
- Thanks for that question. Give me just a minute to consider it before I share.
- I have a few ideas on how to answer. Let me take a minute to gather my thoughts.
- Im not totally clear on what you mean by XYZ. Could you explain it another way?
- Before I answer, can you confirm youre referring to XYZ?
Never Talk Over The Interviewer
You might be eager to get your point across or talk about your experience, but interrupting the interviewer is awkward and rude when youâre speaking on the phone, even more so than in face-to-face interviews. âInterviewing can be stressful and sometimes that stress manifests itself in speaking too fast, speaking too loud, talking over the interviewer, or attempting to answer the interviewer’s question before they have actually finished asking the question,â says Taylor. âDon’t do this.â Thereâs a big difference between being assertive and being aggressive, and interviewers can always recognize it.
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What Do I Say To A Candidate At The End Of A Phone Interview
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I’ve managed to get into the working world without going through a phone interview now I have to interview/hire someone and I have a basic question.
At the end of the phone interview, what do I say? Do I let them know immediately if they are getting an in-person interview, and schedule it then, or do I say “we’ll let you know”? If the former, what should I say to a candidate that didn’t pass the interview?
As a hiring manager who has done this a lot, I have a standard line no matter the situation: I tell the candidate how the rest of the process will go, regardless of how I may or may not have judged them during our conversation.
For instance, if it’s at the end of a phone screen, when I know that the next round of candidates will be called for longer interviews with the team, I say, “Thanks for talking with me today. Here’s how the rest of our hiring process works: I’ll finish the phone screens in the next n days, then we’ll select some folks for longer interviews, and we hope to have the whole process wrapped up by x date. I’ll stay in touch with you as we move through the process.” If this conversation is at the end of a longer interview, I adjust what I say to take that into account.
Most people say ‘We’ll be in touch’. In most companies more than one person is involved, and you can’t be sure if someone else will see something in the candidate that you don’t, so you can’t tell them anything definite.
Phone Interview Dos And Donts
Dont eat, chew gum, smoke or drink while on the phone.
Do keep water handy in case you need to take a sip if youre mouth gets dry or have to cough.
Dont talk to others while on the phone.
Dont have background noise.
Do clear the room of distractions and focus on the call.
Dont interrupt the interviewer.
Do take your time with answering the questions. Well thought out answers are better than stumbling through. See more about what you should and shouldnt say in an interview.
Do take notes. It will help you to remember what was talked about later.
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Not Asking What Happens Next
Many interviewees hang up at the end of a phone interview without knowing where they stand. It is better to sign off by telling your interviewer that you are very interested in the position and by asking, what is the next stage?
Apply for jobs today and get ready to use your telephone interview skills.
Make Sure You’re Available
If a recruiter sets a time and date for your interview, make sure that you’re available. If you’ll be using a cell phone, make sure the battery is charged and the ring tone is turned on so you don’t miss the call. If you’ve got another job, you may need schedule the phone interview during your day off or during a break.
You’ll need a quiet, comfortable place to answer the phone. Ideally, you would take the phone interview call from your home. But I’ve known people who successfully completed a phone interview from their parked car during a work break.
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What Are You Passionate About
Understanding what you are passionate about or what motivates you might help employers decide whether you might be a good fit for the position. If you are passionate about helping people, for example, and are interviewing for a largely independent role with little interaction with others, the position might not be a good fit for you. To answer this question, think of broad ways you are motivated both in and out of work. Consider how your passions might align with the role.
Example answer:Im driven every day by the ability to create beautiful, innovative experiences for users all over the world. There is so much helpful, valuable digital information on the web. Designing it in a way that is easy for people to consume makes me feel like Im truly making a difference for people to access whatever it is that helps them live to their true potentialeven if only in a small way.
Read more: Interview Question: What Are You Passionate About?
Research Common Interview Questions
Dont forget to prepare for questions you might be asked during your phone interview. Start by reaching out to people in your network who have worked or interviewed with the company in the past and ask them about potential interview questions.
If you dont know anyone with connections to the company, dont sweat it. There are other ways to get the inside scoop on the interview process. For instance, Glassdoor has interview questions and reviews that can give you a better idea of what will be asked in your interview.
If youre interviewing for internships, you need to be prepared for a different set of questions. Be sure to check out our list of common internship interview questions and know how to answer them.
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Jot Down Important Points
Take a minute or two after you hang up to jot down any last notes you want to remember. Maybe they mentioned a new product they launched that you want to check out, or something about the culture you want to follow up on via email, or a person to reach out to. You wont regret having those in writing when you go to write your thank you note or walk into the next round of interviews.
Why Did You Leave Your Last Job
This is the kind of question many candidates dread. After all, you dont want to come off like youre bad-mouthing a current or previous employer. If youre one of the many people who were suddenly laid off because of the coronavirus outbreak, it isnt uncommon to feel a little bitter or upset.
But that doesnt mean you cant answer it with grace and poise. You just need to approach it the right way.
EXAMPLE ANSWER:
When the coronavirus pandemic led to business closures, my employer wasnt able to maintain its full workforce. I, like many others, was laid off from my position due solely to the dip in business.
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Talking To A Recruiter Heres What You Should Know About That Phone Call
If your phone interview is actually with a recruiter who found you via LinkedIn or another source, thats awesome! Youll want to keep several things in mind.
First off, this is still an interview. It shouldnt be a formal conversation , but you should still do your research, practice some responses, and prepare your own questions. And youll want to express enthusiasm for the opportunity and speaking with themeven if youre not actually all that interested in the role .
As Muse writer and career coach Jenny Foss points out, you have the upper hand because the recruiter is rooting for you to succeed. So use that to ask for their help and suggestions in moving on to the next round and express clearly your intentions for the role, like your salary demands and ideal set of responsibilities.
Fast Company
Print Out Other Relevant Documents
In addition to your cheat sheet, it might help to also print out a copy of your resume and cover letter, as well as any other information you think you might need to reference . As Muse writer Aja Frost points out, the interviewer may bring up points you made in these documents, and youll want to know what theyre talking about.
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Get Ready For The Call
Before the call, confirm all the details, including the date, time, and who you will be talking to. Be sure you know whether the interviewer is calling you or if you need to make the call.
If something goes wrong and you miss the call, or the recruiter doesn’t call on time, take a deep breath and try to stay calm. You should be able to get the call back on track or reschedule if need be.
Use a quiet, comfortable, and private space with no distractions so you can focus on the interview.
If you’ll be using your cellphone, make sure it’s fully charged, and you are in a spot with good reception for the call. You may also find that standing during an interview helps you sound more energetic during the call.
What To Do During An Interview
Your qualifications and skills are only a part of what the hiring manager is looking for when conducting an interview. Whether you get the job depends largely on how you behave at the interviewwhat you do, what you say, and how you say it. From the first door you walk through to the final handshake on your way out, this lesson will help you learn how to behave during an interview. It will help you identify basic business etiquette that can improve your chances, as well as show you how your tone of voice and body language can be interpreted by an interviewer. It will also outline the basic rules for answering questions well.
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Proper Phone Interview Etiquette
Review these guidelines for appropriate phone interview etiquette, so you make the best impression on your interviewer.
Answer the phone yourself. First, be sure to let family members and/or roommates know you are expecting a call. When you answer the phone, respond with your name. You can say, “This is Jane Doe” or “John Smith speaking!” That way, the interviewer will know they’ve reached the right person. Make sure to use an upbeat tone of voice .
Follow the interviewer’s lead. Some interviewers may wish to engage in a few minutes of small talk. Others may want to get right into the interview. Let the interviewer steer the start to the conversation, but be prepared to talk about the weather or make other small talk.
Listen carefully to the interviewer and don’t start speaking until the interviewer finishes the question. If you have something you want to say, jot it down on your notepad and mention it when it’s your turn to talk. It can also be helpful to jot down the question .
Don’t worry if you need a few seconds to think of a response, but don’t leave too much dead air. If you need the interviewer to repeat the question, ask.
Are You Willing To Relocate For This Role
Sometimes, if you are doing a phone interview, its because the office is in a location that isnt convenient for you to get to. Its important to carefully consider – prior to the interview – if moving is right for you personally and professionally. Be honest in your response. The phone interview is basically a culling process designed to reduce the pool of talent who ultimately will move onto the face-to-face interviews. If you want to get to the next phase of the interview process, discover more interview advice that will put you in the upper percentage of potential candidates.
Take a look at our job interview tips hub for more interview preparation tips and advice.
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Final Tips To Help You Ace The Phone Interview
Treating a phone interview just like an in-person interview can help you feel more confident and impress the recruiter or hiring manager conducting the interview. Dressing as if you were going to an in-person interview and paying attention to your body language could help you stay focused and confident. Standing during an interview helps you stay more energetic throughout the interview, which again, can help with your confidence.
At the end of the interview, thank the recruiter or hiring manager and ask about the next steps. Also, if you dont already have it, ask for their email address. Then you can send them a quick thank you follow-up email after you hang up.
When the interview is over, read over your notes and jot down the questions that asked and your answers, the questions you asked and their answers, and anything else you might need later. These notes will help you prepare if you get invited for an in-person interview or a job offer.
Now that youre prepared for your next phone interview, its time to start applying. AgHires.com has over 10,000 jobs in the Agriculture and Food Production industries. We are a job posting website and a recruiting firm for agribusinesses, farms, grain operations, specialty crops, food processors, livestock, biotechnology and other relatable businesses hire employees. Start your search at AgHires.com
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Prepare Your Own Cheat Sheet
Like all good interviews, its not just about answering questions, but asking the right ones as well.
The right questions not only help you get information you might need to make an informed decision regarding the job, but it also helps confirm your qualifications as the ideal candidate for the position.
Ask about the different aspects of the job and express genuine interest and excitement in the opportunity.
Take the time to make sure that this is the organization you want to work foritll save you a ton of heartache and headaches in the long run.
Dont be afraid to dig for more details about the position and the company.
Ask questions about the job that werent covered in the job postingask about specifics and get details.
You need to know exactly what youre getting into before you say yes to the job
Make sure you prepare your own list of questions before you start. Make sure your questions are thoughtful and have a purpose.
Need some examples to use or ideas to kick start your own list? Check out our Top 14 Questions to Ask In An Interview blog post.
Remember though to keep these questions short and sweet. Again, remember, Its not about you, its about them. How can you fulfill their needs?
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Being Too Comfortable With The Interviewer
You might hit it off with the hiring manager, but you should try to remain professional through the entire hiring process.
“Be polite, but never become too familiar,” said Jodi Chavez, president of Randstad Professionals and Life Sciences at Randstad USA. “Many people assume comfort early on in an attempt to build rapport, but this could put off your interviewer.”
This goes for social media as well. While it’s a great tool for marketing or showing your personality, it’s not good for socializing with your potential hiring manager.
” asking to connect on LinkedIn with a hiring manager or one of the interviewers as soon as the interview is over,” said Richard Orbe-Austin, career coach and partner at Dynamic Transitions Psychological Consulting. “This request may seem too presumptuous and be a turnoff to the hiring manager or interviewer.”
You also should not attempt to friend an interviewer on Facebook or follow them on Instagram or Twitter. General company accounts are fine, but do not hunt down interviewers’ personal accounts.
How Is Your Job Search Going So Far
Employers ask this in a phone interview to get a sense of how things are going for you overall, how much other companies are interested, and even how soon you might have job offers .
The one thing you dont want to do with your answer is sound like youre completely struggling to find a job.
If you arent getting many interviews or if you just started taking phone interviews, you can always say: Im just beginning to take interviews, but its going well so far.
If you have had a few interviews but they didnt go well, you can say that you havent found the right fit yet. So for example, you might say, Ive had a couple of phone interviews so far but havent found a great fit yet.
Sample answer:
Things are going well so far. Im just beginning to take phone interviews, and Im still very early in my job search. I expect to have some face-to-face interviews soon.
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