Telephonic Interview Tips

Phone Interviews have become a common tool for judging the suitability of job applicants and screening out those who do not match the job requirements. Hence, as a job seeker, you must not take the phone interview lightly which is the first phase of the interviewing process.

Just as you would prepare yourself for the face-to-face interview, you should also devote sometime for planning and preparing for the phone interview.

Time & Concentration Keep enough time aside for the phone interview and make arrangements so that you will not be interrupted through the course of the telephonic interview. Make sure you are completely focused and your whole concentration is directed towards the upcoming interview.

Preparation Keep a pen and paper handy to jot down important information that you may have access to during the phone interview. If you had applied for this position through a newspaper ad, keep the ad cutting in front of you along with a copy of your current resume.

Demeanor From the moment you take the call and till the time you end the call, remember that you are being screened. Hence, you must put every effort into conversing and communicating well with the interviewer. You should sound interested, excited and involved.

Listening Skills If there was ever a time when your good listening skills were needed, this is it. Don’t speak out of turn and especially while the interviewer is talking. Listen well to the interviewer and then answer questions clearly and confidently.

Seek Information The phone interview is often used as a means to analyze and judge the suitability of the candidate as well as know more about them. It also provides the candidate an opportunity to understand what the job entails. Hence, you must also ask questions tat will help you to know more about the prospective job as well as the Co, its policies and your ability to meet these requirements.

Telephone Etiquettes To Follow During Professional Conversations

Whether interacting personally or over the telephone, professional telephone etiquettes come in handy when it comes to making the right first impression.

Your tone of voice, self confidence, communication skills – all contribute in making your telephone conversations professional, courteous and able to make an impact.

Here are some simple tips to follow while answering your own professional calls or handling calls for others –

1. Avoid using Slangs.

2. Make use of phrases such as “May I help You”, “You are welcome”, and “Thank You”, etc.

3. Put the receiver down gently. Never slam the phone.

4. Always speak clearly so that the other person can understand what you are saying.

5. When picking up the phone, it is good practice to identify your Company and yourself to the caller.

6. When transferring calls, make sure that you are well versed with the procedure for call transfers. It is good practice to use the name of the person you are transferring the call to.

7. Always adopt a pleasant tone of voice and be attentive.

8. When placing a call on hold, inform the caller of the same.

9. Don’t interrupt the caller when speaking.

10. When initiating a call, spend a few moments to mentally prepare yourself so that you know wheat need to be said / discussed.