Phone Interview Tips

Page 3: Do's and Don'ts

Best phone interview tips:

Do:

• Be prepared! This is a real interview!

• Practice with a friend over the phone.

• Have a professional sounding message on your phone answering machine.

• Have a prepared statement for those unscheduled phone interviews. “This is a good time; however I would like to move to my home office for more privacy. Would it be possible for me to call you back in 10 minutes?

• Keep a copy of your resume, your cheat sheet, information on the companies you have applied to, paper, pen and your agenda near the phone at all times.

• Have a quiet phone interview space available.

• Disable call waiting.

• Answer the phone in a professional and friendly manner.

• Talk slowly and clearly.

• Prepare questions to ask the interviewer.

• Smile! Your voice will show your enthusiasm.

• Thank the interviewer for his/her time

• Show your interest in the job. Ask about the next steps.

• Send a thank you note

• Eat, drink, chew gum during the interview.

• Put the interviewer on hold to answer another call.

• Use the speaker phone as many people do not like being on speaker.

• Type on your computer during the interview- even to take notes.

• Have music, TV or any other noise audible in the background.

• Interrupt the interviewer to speak to you spouse, friend or child.

• Slouch or lie down during the interview.

• Forget to breathe! Breathing normally will make you sound more relaxed.

• Ask questions about salary or benefits on the first interview.

• Hang up abruptly at the end of the call. Wait for the interviewer to hand up first.

See Page 1 for tips on how to prepare for a phone interview
See page 2 for phone interview etiquette
See page 4 for common phone interview questions

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