It wasn't completely expected, but here I find myself with doors opening up with companies outside of PDX. I suppose I had always imagined doing interviews in person, so the idea of the phone interview seemed a bit daunting. How would I make myself stand out? How could I make myself competitive with those interviewing in person? Ultimately I learned that while the the thought can be quite disconcerting, a phone interview should not be something you are afraid of.
A phone interview should be treated much like an in-person interview - with some advantages.
1. Always, always treat your phone interview like an in-person interview. If you dress up to go to an in-person interview, then you dress up for your phone interview. Do your hair, brush your teeth, and check out my fashion for PR girls for outfit inspiration. If you look your best, you will be more confident. This will translate through the phone.
2. Make sure you have a high quality signal on your phone. The last thing you want is to have lousy connection that may result in a dropped call. If possible, try using a land line for the interview. On a side note: make sure you are choosing a location for the interview that is quiet and secluded. No noisy siblings here please!
3. Try using a simple introduction when you answer your phone. Don't simply say hello, try something a bit more professional, such as "Hello, this is Erin." This will let your interviewer know they have reached the correct person and you come across as being professional.
4. PREPARE, prepare, prepare! I really can't stress this enough - you must come to this interview well-prepared. Do your research on the company and create a fact sheet you can have next to you during the interview. This is definitely where a phone interview can have its advantages. You will not have to struggle to recall company information when you are nervous like you would in an in-person interview!
5. Keep a copy of your resume next to you, but do not use it as a crutch. You should know your resume inside and out. This is your story to tell. Know it.
6. Have questions about the company or job ready to go. Craft creative and reflective questions during your research on the organization. Need some ideas? Check out this article on PR Daily. Want to really blow your interviewer away? This is the time to do it.
7. Just like an in-person interview you must find out what the next steps in the process are. Don't forget to ask this at the end. Follow up in an appropriate manner after the allotted time given.
8. One advantage of a phone interview is your ability to take notes. Have a pen and notebook handy and jot down ideas you find intriguing or aspects of the position company you would like clarification on.
9. Smile. Be enthusiastic and don't forget that you can hear a smile over the phone. Smiling can also help calm nerves. So paste on your smile and let those pearly whites shine.
10. Last, but definitely not least, send your interviewer(s) a thank you note. Since my phone interviews have been with companies far away, I have opted for an email thank you note (if you can, a handwritten note is always best). Make sure to highlight certain conversation topics and reiterate key traits that make you the perfect person for the job/internship.
Best of luck to you in your job search!
Have ideas you want to share? Leave a comment below!
xoxo-E
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Sunday, March 24, 2013
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