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Telephone Interview Prep

A telephone interview is often scheduled as a first step in the hiring process because due to time or location restraints.  It is intended as an initial 20 or 30 minute conversation to determine mutual interest in carving out the time to meet in-person.

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• It is key to plan well to make the right impression.
  This is not always easy to do by telephone.  Review the following guidelines to make this an impactful first introduction.

• Before the telephone interview, take the time to review the website for the company.
  Develop a list of pertinent questions regarding the company, the position and the overall goal for hiring.

• Have your resume in front of you for reference.
  Many of the questions the hiring manager will have will be directly related to the resume you submitted.

• Clear your schedule.
  Be prepared at least 15 minutes before the appointed call time in a place where you can talk confidentially without interruption.

• Follow up missed calls.
  If you don’t receive the call, or get an answer when you call, within 15 minutes of the scheduled time, call the contact or send an e-mail to seek further direction.

• Allow the hiring manager to set the pace for the interview.
  Generally they will define the key things they need to know in order to determine fit for the position and the company.

• Let your enthusiasm and animation show during the conversation.
  Speak confidently and clearly and convey your interest.

• Be honest and try to relax.
  Remember that the interview is as much for you to determine interest as it is for them.

• Don’t give long or rambling responses to questions.
  Don’t monopolize the conversation.

• Summarize.
  Be able to succinctly summarize your direct professional attributes such as education and work experience and more importantly your direct professional experiences and successes, which are quantifiable things you have done that have added value to your employer.

• Be prepared with your questions, although don’t be disappointed if you don’t have time to ask them in this initial conversation.

• Thank them for their time, and assure them of your interest at the end of the call.
  Ask what their timeline is for an in-person meeting.  Ask if your background and qualifications are what they are looking for. It is OK to be politely assertive.  After concluding the interview, immediately send them e-mail thanking them for their time and letting them know you are sincerely interested in the next step in their process.

Just Don’t

• What’s in it for me?

• Avoid any comments that focus too much on what you expect at this stage.
  The company contact may get the impression that you are more concerned with what the opportunity gives you than what you will do for them.

• Don’t immediately ask about benefits, relocation package etc.
  Save that for the personal interview.

• Don’t go negative.
  Don’t criticize any current/former employers. Be positive, tactful and professional throughout the entire conversation.

• Never give simple yes or no responses.
  Expand a bit on direct questions and softly sell yourself when the opportunity presents itself.

• Don’t bring up money.
  The company should initiate the discussion of compensation at the appropriate time. There is a time and place for everything, and your first telephone interview isn’t the right time to bring up money.

Questions you may be asked.

• What salary are you looking for?
  Politely try to deflect the question by responding something like: What is your company salary range for the position?  Or, Before we discuss compensation I’d like to hear more about the position because salary is not my primary focus for making this change.

• Tell me about yourself.
  Don’t give a long-winded and overly personal history. Frame your response in professional terms; How your experience and personal qualities will meet their hiring parameters and what you can do for them. We suggest that you start with a specific point in your background. A good response to that question is, “Where would you like me to start?”

• Why did you leave your last position or why are you looking to leave your current position?
  Be open and respond with an honest answer. Don’t say anything that can be misread as a negative about your previous or current employer, supervisor or peers.

• Why do you want this position?
  Tie your answer into the position and the company, and what they have to offer, but be aware that there can be a temptation to focus on you. The company wants to know what you can do for them before they can benefit from your growth.

If you don’t understand a question, say so, and ask them to clarify.