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Get Yourself Ready To Impress During A Phone Interview
By: Heather Eagar
Preparing for an interview over the phone is primarily a mental
exercise, and something that is easy to prepare for. It is the
second impression that you will make on a hiring decision maker
- the first impression was obviously made for you by your resume
and cover letter, and must have been positive, or you would not
have this interview appointment. That being the case, it is
worth while to prepare for it and be ready to put your best foot
forward.
Step one in getting yourself mentally prepared is to rehearse.
Practice in front of the mirror, or with a friend or your spouse
listening to you, asking questions and playing the part of the
interviewer. Make a list of questions you expect the interviewer
to ask and have good answers prepared, but have them on the top
of your head in general and not memorized. Memorized answers can
sound canned and not real, and will not help you. You need to
appear genuine and real.
Step two is preparing and practicing two or three ideas that you
want to get across to the interviewer as to why you are the
right person for this job. If you are having trouble thinking of
ideas, read your resume again. Look for the key points,
qualifications or accomplishments you have written, and be ready
to discuss them.
Step three is think of what you can do for the company. The
hiring manager really doesn't care why you would like the job;
he cares about how you can help his company if you are hired.
Step four, on the morning of the interview get dressed. Wear the
same clothes when you are on the phone that you would wear if
you were in front of the interviewer in person. Dress for
success and your attitude will reflect it. Dress in your pajamas
or an old sweat shirt and your attitude may reflect that as
well.
Step five is to smile. Smiles are contagious, even if they can't
be seen. Good salesmen know this and practice smiling on the
phone. There is something in your voice and attitude that is
conveyed when you smile, and the person on the other end of the
phone can sense it. There is truth in the old saying, "Smile and
the world smiles with you." It is basic human nature.
Step six is to speak clearly and enunciate. Use a good quality
phone, a land line not a cordless. If at all possible do not use
a cellular phone for the interview. Crackling noises are
distractions and bad cell sites, leading to dropped calls, are a
negative. You only want positives during your phone interview.
Step seven is the interview itself. Relax, be yourself and do
your best. When it is over remember to thank the interviewer for
his or her time, and offer to provide any other information they
might need to make a decision. Be professional and you may well
be rewarded with a job.
About the author:
Heather Eagar provides reviews of the top resume writing services
that put you in charge of your career so that you can get the
job you deserve. sign-up for your free Job Search
Tips E-course.
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