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Telephone Interviews: Ten Top Tips for Winning Telephone Interviews

By Annette Lewis

Employers use telephone interviews for a variety of reasons:

- to screen unsuitable candidates,

- to check details on an application form

- or because approval is needed from a manager who is based overseas and cannot make a face to face interview.

Irrespective of the reason you must be prepared and always treat this "informal telephone talk" as a proper interview.

How to Approach a Telephone Interview?

In most cases you will have prior knowledge of the telephone interview and have agreed a time and date. This gives you time to prepare, to get ready physically and emotionally and to have all you need in front of you.

Ocassionally, you may have a call when you least expect it and this can come during an awkward moment. You should be asked if it is convenient to talk and if not, say so and while not ideal you can agree an alternative time and day.

You can turn this into a positive by saying that you are glad they called, you are very interested in the position/company and would be delighted to talk further. Explain that you are, for example about to make a presentation, close a meeting, finish with a client etc.

Top tips for succeeding with telephone interviews:

1. Be prepared:

To do this we recommend that you keep a file containing your CV, details of the jobs you have applied for and the relevant company details close to the telephone.

2. Do not eat, drink, smoke or chew gum:

They will all be heard by the caller and may even be magnified by the powers of modern technology. Treat the telephone call as a formal interview in this regard.

3. Smile:

While the caller cannot see you, they will detect this in the quality of your voice. In addition you will feel better and more positive and this will be conveyed to the caller.

4. Stay Calm:

If you are surprised and caught unawares, stay calm, be positive and friendly and say 'I'm glad you called and would be delighted to talk. Can you hold on a moment while I close the door/pop into my office?" This will give you a minute to put the kids into another room, get the file to hand and take a few deep breaths.

5. Switch Off:

If you had a TV or radio on, if you were cooking or if any machinery is working in the background then switch them off.

6. Use Names:

Use the person's title and only use first names during the telephone interview if they ask you to.

7. Take Your Time:

it's perfectly acceptable to take a moment or two to collect your thoughts.

Don't rush your answers, compose yourself and respond naturally and confidently.

8. Listen and converse:

A skilled interviewer should be able to elicit detailed answers however do avoid any yes or no replies. Even though this is a telephone interview it is a two way conversation and one syllable answers can suggest poor communication skills or lack of interest.

9. Take notes:

After the interview jot down the interviewer's name, position and any other relevant details. Notes will help if you are called to a face-to-face interview as you will have a better recollection of what was discussed, any questions asked and the replies given.

10. Get a Meeting:

You goal is to set-up a face-to-face interview. As the telephone interview draws to a close, it is perfectly acceptable to reiterate how keen you are and how pleased you would be to meet them in person to discuss how you can contribute in this position.

For help with Telephone Interviews, visit InterviewGOLD™, our dynamic online interview system which has helped thousands of jobseekers land great jobs.

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About the Author

Annette Lewis is an accredited interviewer and has recruited for many organizations within Healthcare, Education, Customer Services and Banking

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