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Giving Telephonic Interviews – Some Handy Tips! Giving a telephonic interview is not as daunting task as it may seem at first thought. It is all about being ready. Typically, there is not much time given for preparation. Or, on other hand, you never know when you will get the call once you start sending your resume out. Thanks to Mr. Murphy and his law, the call may come at the worst of time. Avoid being caught completely off-guard by keeping your resume and a note-pad by the telephone. If you are expecting a call in your office, stay right on your desk. On Receiving the Call If you receive a call as a result of a mailed resume or a telephone message you left, and you are unprepared, be calm. You may convey it to the other person, in a very courteous manner, that you are in middle of something and will take just a moment to switch attention. Remember that the person on other side has taken and must also have given a few telephonic interviews. Sound positive, friendly and don't rush. Talking on the Phone Pronounce your words clearly. No need to copy accent learnt from Hollywood movies. But do learn the pronunciation of the words and be familiar with common phrases. Don't talk too fast or loud. You may ask the interviewer if he/she can hear you properly to tune your volume. If your pronunciation has heavy accent, pause between each sentence for a bit. Do not smoke or eat while on the phone. Do not use any words of your native language, raise your voice during the interview or interrupt the interviewer while he is talking. Starting the Interview Do ask the interviewer if what name does he/she want you to use to refer him/her. Usually, the people who take telephonic interview are quite experienced and clear such things at the onset only. It is common to have a small polite conversation to settle things before the real interview begins. You may refer to the interviewer by his or her first name. During the Interview Usually the interviewer asks his set of questions, which are based on their requirements and your resume. So be prepared to be asked about anything in your resume. Do talk about your projects in the past that is relevant to the kind of work experience needed. You may point out major problem you faced in these projects and how you approached them and solved them. It is very uncommon if you are asked anything areas of expertise/interest mentioned in your resume. Keep up your end of the conversation and do ask a few questions of your own that will reveal you as an intelligent person. But don't ask questions just for sake of asking. For example, ask what immediate projects the interviewer's department is involved in and other projects the company is involved in. If the interviewer appears to be asking trivial or irrelevant questions - take them equally seriously. Maybe he is trying to check your communication skills and general attitude. |
