The interview is the final step in your quest for a job. This is where you meet the key people of an organization and have a face-to-face interaction, which will help them decide if you are the right person for the job. Not everyone though is called for an interview. Most companies filter out candidates at various stages right from the time you submit a resume. A telephonic interview is one of the techniques used to filter candidates to decide who should be called for a personal interview. The phone interview is similar in most ways to a personal interview, the difference being that it is conducted over the telephone.

Companies that have many applications for a job would use the phone interview to shortlist candidates for the final interview. A company would conduct a phone interview to talk to a candidate and understand more about him/her.  The objective would be to understand if the candidate is suitable for the job. If the telephonic interviewer feels the candidate would fit the bill, then a second interview is arranged face-to-face. The phone interview is convenient to both candidate and employer. It saves the candidate time in traveling down to the company. It helps the employer do a pre-evaluation prior to the final interview.

If you were looking forward to being shortlisted for the final interview, then you need to make sure you ace the telephonic interview. Many candidates are complacent about a phone interview, as the perception is that it is just a telephonic chat. This is however not the case. An experienced interviewer would be a good communicator and can get to know a lot about you through the phone interview. So, if you were thinking of slouching in your pajamas on the sofa and chatting with the interviewer while watching a movie – you had better think again!

The phone interview is no informal chitchat. It is a professional activity done by a company to find out if you deserve to be called for a final interview. If you are serious about your career, then you need to prepare for the phone interview with the same seriousness as a personal interview. Here is how you can prepare well so that you can pass the phone interview stage and move on to the final stage.

1) Scheduled or unscheduled

A telephonic interview is easy for the interviewer, all he/she needs to do is pick the phone and call the number in the resume. Phone interviews can thus be scheduled or unscheduled. Some interviewers make a schedule for the phone interviews they conduct and tell you in advance when they would call. They may send you an email or a text message with the date and time of the call. This ensures that you would be free and able to take the call. This also ensures the interviewer can plan his/her work schedule better. A scheduled interview gives you a chance to request for a change of time, in case you won’t be free at the designated time. It also gives you ample time to prepare for the interview.

Some interviewers prefer an unscheduled interview. They just pick the phone and call. They may do this because they are free at that particular moment and want to finish off the interview. They may also do it to see how you handle unexpected situations. In either case, you need to be prepared to handle both types of interviews. If you are taken by surprise by the interviewer’s call, you can always request for an alternate time. You could say that you are busy with some other work or not in your desk and would find it difficult to take the call. Most interviewers would ask you if it is a good time to talk before proceeding. You can use this cue to request for a change of time. You may be outdoors, where there is a lot of noise from traffic that could disturb the communication. So, there is nothing wrong in requesting for an alternate time to talk.

When you apply for a job, you should be prepared for the telephonic interview, scheduled or unscheduled. Don’t put yourself at a disadvantage and be taken by surprise when you get a call from an interviewer. You must anticipate it and be ready for it.

2) It is more difficult than a face-to-face interview.

If you felt that a phone interview was a cinch, you are mistaken. It is more difficult to convince an interviewer during a phone interview, then a personal interview. In a personal interview, you can impress the interviewer with your dress, appearance, and other personal traits. The way you walk in to the interviewer’s chamber, the way you shake hands, the way you make eye contact can impress the interviewer. In a personal interview, you can easily make a great first impression. This is not so easy in a telephonic interview. You need to put double the efforts to convince the interviewer about your abilities.

Many people find the phone interview more stressful than a personal interaction. Not everyone sounds good on the phone or has excellent phone etiquette. This would create stress and make you feel nervous. An experienced interviewer can gauge signs of nervousness even over the phone. A telephonic interview thus has more challenges for you. It is like going on an unknown path. Preparing for the phone interview needs more effort than preparing for an interview in-person.

3) Use the checklist method.

There is one advantage the phone interview provides, which is that you can keep notes in front of you or even your laptop while you answer questions. This is not possible in a face-to-face interview. You can thus use this to your advantage. The best thing to do is to make a checklist. You can make a list of all the possible questions an interviewer may ask and jot down how you would answer the questions. Don’t write down the answers! If you read out from a script, it sounds artificial. Have points written down and expand on them while answering the interviewer’s questions. You can thus answer the questions in a natural way and at the same time have notes to help you.

You can also make a checklist of what you want to say. You can list out your strengths and how you can add value to the company. You can highlight key aspects of your education, skills, and experience that you want to project during the interview. This will ensure that you don’t miss out anything during your telephonic talk. It also makes you more confident while answering questions.

4) Ensure the settings are right

In the face-to-face interview, you have no control over the interview settings. The phone interview is where you answer from your home or office, where you are in control. Make sure you have the right settings in place before you take the call. You can keep the following in mind:

• Sit in front of a desk, don’t slouch on a sofa or a bed. Let the setting be professional.
• Keep your resume, checklist of points, pen and paper and even your laptop nearby. This would ensure you don’t have to run around looking for information that the interviewer wants to know. All that you would take with you for a personal interview should be in front of you.
• It is possible there could be some blind spots where the mobile signal is weak. Find the right place, where the mobile signal is strong and where you are unlikely to face any kind of static disturbance.
• You may not be comfortable talking to an interviewer if someone else is present. So try to find a place where others won’t disturb you. Also, inform your family members that you are on an important telephonic call so you won’t be disturbed.
• Make sure the doors and windows are closed to avoid external noise. Use a headphone, if needed.
• Ensure that your mobile phone is fully charged, so you don’t have to face an embarrassing situation of your phone getting switched off during the interview. If you have another mobile phone, keep it on silent mode.
• Make sure the TV/radio is off. Not muted, but switched off. You wouldn’t want to get distracted during the interview.
• Don’t be dressed casually. When you are in your pajamas, it affects your attitude and you may tend to be casual. Dress formally, so you feel you are in a formal situation. That would help you be more confident. What if the interviewer makes a video call and you are in your shorts sleeping on the sofa? Don’t take a chance with the all-important phone interview. Make sure the settings for the interview are perfect.

5) Research well

Your goal would be to get called for an interview to meet the employer in person. Prepare for the phone interview just as you would do for the personal one. This would help you prepare for the final interview also. Research for the interview to make sure you are prepared for anything that the interviewer throws at you. You can research and be prepared for the following:

• Understand all about the job, the skills and qualification required, and the nature of work.
• Learn about the company. Thanks to the internet, you can get plenty of information. Know its goals, products, history, plans, and performance. An interviewer would be impressed if you convey such information during an interview. You may be asked if you know anything about the company, this research will help you answer the question confidently.
• If you know who is the interviewer, find out more about the person from the company website, LinkedIn, or any other social network.
• Go through the company blog, that’s a good way of understanding more about the company and its work culture. You can find interesting information that can help you answer questions better.

Research helps you customize the way you answer questions. An interviewer would be impressed if instead of giving standard answers, you give answers tailor made with context relevant to the company and job you have applied for.

6) Listen, understand, think, and then answer

In any communication, you need to spend more than half the time listening. The same is true for telephonic communication. Listen very carefully. The interviewer may be speaking softly, there may be problems with the telephonic connection, or there may be noise at the interviewer’s end. Make sure you focus and concentrate on what the interviewer is saying. DON’T be in a hurry to answer the question. Never cut the interviewer mid-sentence. Allow the interviewer to complete what he/she is saying and then start your answer.

Understand the question that has been asked, take a moment or two to think about your answer and then start talking. Take a deep breath before you start talking, that can help you feel more relaxed. Don’t be in a hurry to answer. Talk slowly and make sure you clearly answer what the interviewer is asking. Don’t volunteer information or talk too much. Be concise, clear, and specific. Avoid vague or general answers. Be specific with information. Use numbers where possible, for eg: I worked for 5 years 6 months in this domain; I was able to increase sales performance by 35% during one year.

Now that you have understood how to prepare for the phone interview, here are some practical tips that would be helpful:

1. Be honest, never lie.
2. If you are not able to hear the interviewer or understand the question, there is nothing wrong in asking him/her to repeat it.
3. Be polite, firm, and confident.
4. Keep a glass of water handy if you have a dry throat. Avoid eating or drinking coffee during the interview.
5. Smile when you talk, it enhances the effectiveness of the communication.
6. Do a dry run with a friend, practice can make you perfect.
7. Thank the interviewer when it is over and ask if it would be possible to meet in person. That’s the best way to end the phone interview.

How do you ace a phone interview?

How do you ace a phone interview? It may come as a big surprise to you at first, but it’s really not that difficult. The truth is that an interviewer doesn’t particularly care about your actual skill set but instead cares more about her or his impression of you. So if you want to ace a phone interview, there are a few simple steps you can take to gain the upper hand in this critical stage of the hiring process.

It seems obvious, but it still bears repeating – treat the interview like a professional conversation, and avoid acting like a schoolgirl on your way out the door. An interviewer will be impressed with your listening skills and potential for understanding. Don’t try to sound too “cool.” If you need to take a phone call, make sure it’s a real one and not some kind of trick.

Dress in layers, if possible. This goes out for any sort of interview, but it’s especially important for a phone interview. Be aware that the other candidates present on the same line may be doing their best to get you to show your cards early. So don’t be afraid to let them know that you will be speaking later on in the day. The bottom line is that being comfortable and looking good are both great qualities to have when it comes to winning a phone interview.

Communicate clearly with the interviewer. The first impression you’ll be making on the person conducting the phone interview is yours, so it’s crucial that you get across your thoughts and ideas clearly. Try to make a good first impression with a message that’s clear and concise. Nothing will bother your interviewer more than a muffled voice.

Do your homework. It’s well known that companies do an awful job of hiring people. That’s why many people end up getting the phone interviews instead of the jobs they’re interested in. The best way to prepare for a phone interview is to do research on the company you’re interested in. What kind of products or services do they provide? What makes them stand out from all the other companies in your field?

You’ll probably realize sooner or later that you’ll have to answer a few phone interview questions. Don’t be intimidated! It’s actually a lot easier than you think and you’ll feel a lot more comfortable knowing you’ve done your research. Make sure you know the basic answers to these questions before you ask them.

One of the most common mistakes made by people who are interviewed for a phone position is that they ramble and forget to actually express themselves clearly. Make sure you have a script handy that you can reference back to during the phone conversation if you find yourself getting stuck. Also, remember that the interviewer will probably ask you questions too. It’s okay to get nervous about answering a specific question and it’s definitely not a bad idea to read ahead to make sure you’re ready for it. Most importantly, though, you’ll feel more prepared when you answer questions.

If you know how do you ace a phone interview, you can turn that into a positive. You’ll feel more prepared and more able to respond to the questions asked of you. When you finally have your phone interview, you’ll know what you’re expected to say and you won’t feel as bad having forgotten something. Then, you won’t feel rushed and you won’t miss out on anything because you were nervous. Just remember to be yourself and to practice an interview script wherever possible. That way, you won’t have to worry about your actual answer not fitting the question and you’ll sound professional.

What questions are asked in a phone interview?

The most common question that a potential employee will be asked during an interview is; What questions are you going to ask me? This is a standard question that is asked in every interview and is not always as direct as you might think. If a company wants to know your personality, they might ask you; How do you handle difficult situations? This type of question is really intended to see how well you handle difficult situations, your communication skills, your attitudes towards people, and your work ethic.

One of the most difficult questions that a job seeker may be asked by a company is; Why did you apply for this job? Most job seekers tend to downplay their qualifications and tell a lie, stating that they just applied because the company asked them to. There is really no need to lie about your qualifications if the company is asking these questions. Companies who are hiring want to be sure that they are getting the right people for the job.

A simple question that employers usually like to hear is; What do you think about the management style of this particular company? When you are interviewing for a job, you should always let the hiring company know how you see the company and how you would fit into their company. Ask open-ended questions that will give the hiring company an honest view of your character. You can always say something like; I think this company would be great with a laid back attitude; however, I do not think that working in this type of atmosphere would be very enjoyable. Some users will even ask; Have you ever worked at this type of company before?

Another question that is commonly asked is; Why do you want this job? It is a good idea to have a clear thought on why you want to work in a certain company. It is important to remember that there are many applicants for every job, so you need to make yourself stand out above the rest. Make sure that you have researched the company thoroughly, because this will help you to express yourself well in the interview.

One common question that many job seekers wonder is; How much experience do you have? It is acceptable to say that you are experienced, but you need to make sure that you are specific. If the employer only needs one or two years of work experience, then you do not necessarily have to disclose that you are a recent graduate.

What questions are typically asked when making initial contact with potential employees? One question that is commonly asked is; How may I contact you? In order to establish a good relationship with your future employer, you should always try to stay in contact with them. It is okay to say that you cannot reach them during the initial phone call, but when they call you later, make sure that you have given them your cell phone number. This can make a big difference in establishing rapport with your future employer.

You also need to consider how important it is that you appear professional when answering questions. If you cannot appear professional on the phone, then you can bet that a prospective employer will not hire you. So, when preparing for a phone interview, be sure to conduct yourself in a professional manner. This can mean having your hair done, dressing appropriately, and giving yourself a professional demeanor when you speak.

What questions are asked in a phone interview? Every employer is different, so there is no one right answer for what questions are asked in a phone interview. The most important thing is that you are prepared and ready to answer any question that may be asked. Researching the company, as well as the job you are applying for, is very important. You want to know exactly what information they are looking for and what they are looking for in you. Preparing for these questions ahead of time will help you be more prepared for the actual interview.

What should you not say in a phone interview?

What should you not say in a phone interview? The short answer to that question is that you shouldn’t be afraid of anything that the interviewer asks you. Remember that this is supposed to be your first phone interview, so you might as well show some enthusiasm.

Remember that you are there for two reasons. First, you are there to get an interview and secondly, you are there to tell the interviewer about yourself. So, the answer to the question “What should you not say in an interview?” is simply a matter of customizing your answers to match the circumstances. If the company needs an easy answer, you will give it to them.

What should you not say in a phone interview? Forget about what you might say to someone who called you. The only person you should listen to in an interview is the one who is calling you. The interviewer will ask you questions, so just answer them and don’t be rude or nervous.

Just because you are getting an interview does not mean you have to ask how your evening was. You are still interviewing. Even though you are at the end of the interview, remember that you are still getting the chance to prove yourself to the company. So, don’t start rambling about how your day was or how you had a great time at the party.

What should you not say in a phone interview? Keep it short and sweet. You can tell a story about yourself or about the company but don’t go on. The interviewer will cut you off mid-flow.

What should you not say in a phone interview? Remember to be professional. You have just been given a job and it’s your job to put forth a good impression. You can tell stories about the funny things you did with your friends, but keep it clean and straightforward.

What should you not say in a phone interview? If you get the opportunity to talk to a potential supervisor or boss after the phone interview, always make eye contact and smile. This will show the interviewer that you are friendly and you want to develop a relationship with them. It also says that you are interested in working for them.

What should you not say in a phone interview? Keep it simple and straight forward. Stay away from small talk and try to leave as little room as possible for discussion. Say what you were hired for and tell the interviewer what you hope to achieve there. Be professional, but don’t forget to enjoy the time you are spending together!

What should you not say in an interview for a job as a nanny? Be very clear about the responsibilities of the job. Tell the interviewers upfront that you are looking for a caring, compassionate person to take care of your children when you are away from home for work. Say that you feel that this is an opportunity to grow as a parent and that you would be happy to learn more about the responsibilities of parenthood. Show a sense of maturity by saying that you realize that it may be difficult to be a stay at home mom and dad and that you would welcome the chance to do something for both your kids. It is OK to mention any previous jobs that you’ve had in your references list.

What should you not say in a phone interview for a position as a salesperson? Be very honest about what you’re looking for. If you’re applying for a retail or customer service position, be upfront about your experience. Tell the interviewer about your educational background and any other training that you’ve had. If you’re applying for a manufacturing or production position, be honest about what type of skills you have. Don’t mention any training that you didn’t take or any extra education that you don’t have.

What should you not say in a phone interview for a position as a dental assistant? Be very honest about your dental insurance needs. It may be that you’re self-employed and your employer will pay for your own dental insurance. If this is the case, emphasize that you have a family and would appreciate coverage for childcare.

What should you not say in a phone interview for a position as a financial advisor? Be very specific about your background–start out with your high school and college days and end with your current professional life. Have your former workplaces listed and describe them thoroughly. You may want to mention that you worked at…come on…you know. Any other firm than your current employer will almost surely be asking you some sort of financial question during the interview.

How confidence level will help you ace a phone interview?

The question “How will knowing your confidence level to help you ace a phone interview?” is a common one. It’s a valid question and I’ve received many emails asking that exact same question. After all, if you were successful in any area in life what’s to stop someone with the same ability from becoming just as successful in life? The answer is that it doesn’t matter how good you are at anything; if you don’t believe in yourself then nothing will happen. If you don’t believe in yourself then you won’t be able to overcome obstacles or even achieve something very basic.

In this article we’re going to talk about three reasons why knowing your level will help you ace a phone. The first reason why people who are confident can ace an interview is because they have something else to fall back on. There’s always a better story than you come out looking as strong as you do. People who have something to fall back on are usually more confident and it shows. They can tell you stories of overcoming challenges and coming out stronger after being down.

The second reason is because they know how confident they are. Being confident does not mean that you think you’re better than everyone. It just means that you take your abilities and talents seriously and you know that you’re capable of doing the task before you even sit down for that phone interview. That’s the most important skill to have when answering questions in any type of job interview. People who believe they’re capable are also more likely to take the time to really understand the question and give excellent answers because they feel that they deserve the opportunity.

The third reason why people who are confident often get the job over those who aren’t is because they know how to answer difficult questions. It doesn’t mean that they can confidently answer every question. It’s just that they know how to answer questions that are tough or complex. That knowledge can be the difference between getting the job and not getting the job.

How does confidence come about? We don’t know. Some say that it comes from being born with high levels of self-esteem and others say it comes from training yourself properly. It really comes down to how comfortable you are with yourself and how good you are at dealing with other people. Your interviewer will be judging you on both of these factors and your confidence.

It’s easy to talk a big talk and be confident, but in the real world, there’s no magic button that will make you feel like a million dollars. You might have a million dollar smile on your face, but if you’re not able to put that smile on in a situation where it counts, it won’t matter how big of a smile you have. You need to be confident, but you also need to be aware that it doesn’t mean that you should lie, either. If you’ve got to ask a question or if you’ve got something important to share with the interviewer, then you might want to go ahead and tell the truth, but don’t hold back a bit.

When you think about how confidence level will help you ace a phone interview, you need to remember to stay cool. Don’t become too excited about approaching the phone and talking to the interviewer. In fact, becoming overly excited will probably work against you. Interviewers hate people who act too excited about approaching them. They might even reject the deal because it’s too exciting for them. That’s why waiting until the last minute is a good idea.

So now that you understand how confidence level will help you ace a phone interview, you can go out there and practice your confidence talk. Practice your confidence to talk by talking to yourself in the mirror while making up new excuses. Ask yourself, “What I’m saying now is really true, isn’t it? Maybe I don’t really know what I’m talking about.” And once you get the hang of it, your confidence level will skyrocket and you’ll become more comfortable asking the questions you need to ask.

. What are the essential tips for acing a phone Interview?

What are the essential tips for acing a phone Interview? I’m sure you’ve read or heard it before, but I’ll repeat it anyway – to get the most from your phone interview you need to nail it from start to finish. The key here is to keep the conversation flowing and avoid a ‘one-size-fits-all’ interview style.

First of all let me say that when it comes to Phone Interviews, you should keep your questions short and to the point. Don’t bore the phone company or interviewer with a long winded conversation. Also, you want to be as specific as possible in answering the phone. The easier you can make the answer the better!

Now that we know what are the essential tips for acing a phone interview, let’s go over some key points that will help you land that “perfect” phone job. First of all, always be confident and professional. Don’t be cocky, don’t be arrogant, and don’t come across as too humble if you’re really that great a candidate. Let the interviewer know that you’re qualified and serious about the position.

Also, dress appropriate. Make sure that you wear a conservative business suit to a phone interview. You can show a little more flair with your shirt and tie, but I recommend staying away from a suit and tie if possible. Remember, these interviews are conducted over the phone. It’s a little more informal.

Another essential tip for a phone interview is to be well prepared. Be well informed about the company and what they do. Know the history of the company. Find out their products and services. Be ready to answer any questions they may have regarding the company and their industry.

One of the most important tips for a phone interview is to nail the timing. If you mess up the timing, you may not get the job. So, be sure that you prepare well for the call. The last thing you want is to be scheduled for a phone interview and not hear back for hours or days. If you know when you’ll be on the phone, this will help you nail the timing.

Of course, the most important of the tips for what are the essential tips for acing a phone interview is to have confidence. If you don’t feel comfortable, the entire conversation will suffer. So, be as confident as you can in every area of your life and the phone interview process will go much smoother.

When it comes down to it, the tips for what are the essential tips for acing a phone interview are just simple common sense. Be sure to always be prepared and don’t take anything for granted. If you can follow these simple rules, you’ll never have to worry about being interviewed on the phone again.

Here’s another one of the big tips that everybody should heed. Know your questions! Answering questions is a part of an interview, so if you don’t know them, then you won’t feel as confident as you would with some knowledge behind the question you’re answering. This gives you a huge advantage over other candidates and puts you ahead of the game before even starting the interview.

That brings us to the next tip: preparation. It really is true that what are the essential tips for acing a phone interview? The most important thing that you need to do before you even begin is to prepare. You want to get your questions ready and formulate answers to the questions you know the answer to (if you do those already). You’ll have to practice calling yourself on the phone, pretending to be someone else, and practicing listening to yourself talk. You want to sound natural and believable, so make sure that you take the time to practice how you sound on the phone.

If you don’t know the answer to a phone question, don’t panic. Sometimes it’s best to simply ask the person who’s answering the phone anyway. Many people think that phone interviews are a different experience than office phone interviews or face-to-face meetings, but that just isn’t true. In fact, many times the only difference is that you’ll be talking on the phone instead of face to face.

These are just some of the basic tips for what are the essential tips for acing a phone interview. In general, just keep in mind that preparation and taking the time to practice your skills on the phone are two of the best things you can do. So take the time to learn how to be more professional on the phone!

What are the Do’s and Don’ts During the Call?

Are you using a toll-free conference line for your business needs? If you are, you may be wondering what is involved and how it works. It is very similar to traditional conferences but you do not pay for your participation. Instead, you pay for a fee that covers your registration fees plus your mileage expenses if you participate in more than one conference call. That fee covers the cost of any paper or computer copies you may need to take with you as well as other telephone services such as a speaker phone and your own answering machine. In addition, you will have a credit card that is charged for your conference participation.

1. When you register for a conference call, the first thing you will need to create is a call list. This is an important part of the process of making sure that you have enough people to participate in your call. The call list should contain the names and addresses of those who are required to be on your call. If you are calling on behalf of a client, you will need to ensure that their contact information is included on the list.
2. Next, you will have a variety of options when it comes to taking your calls. Traditional conference calls can be recorded so that other people who are not on the call can hear what is being said. However, if you decide to do an online conference call, then no one else will need to hear what you are saying because it can be viewed on the Internet. You can also choose to have a simultaneous live feed so that those on the call will see each other as they talk.
3. Now that you have the list of people needed to make your conference call, you can begin thinking about the various features that you might want to incorporate into your call. Do you need to have VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) capabilities? Are there certain applications that you would like to be able to conduct on your call? What types of guidelines must the participants follow during the call? Do you need to have a system that requires them to click a button in order to send or receive data?
4. Once you have answered the most basic questions, such as “What are the do’s and don’ts of a conference call?” and “How many people will be participating in my call?” you can start thinking about how those do and don’ts will affect you conference calls. For instance, do you need to be able to transmit the information using a security system such as encryption so that unauthorized individuals can’t eavesdrop on your call?
5. You have thought through all of the features that you need on your conference calls. However, you are not sure about what you will need to have for each feature. Will you need the capability of having an answering machine, or will you only need to have a land-line number? Once you know the do and don’ts for conference calls, you will be able to determine the features that you will need.
6. You are part of a small business and you are looking at conference calling. What do you do if you want to be very secure when using conference calling? Does the provider offer any type of security? There are many providers who do offer some type of security, but it is up to you to make sure that it is adequate for your needs.
7. Do you know what your do and don’t are for security? Have you checked with your IT staff about what the provider offers? Do they provide a system that is compliant with Department of Defense Class II Cyber Security Protection? If you have to choose between features, choose those that will help you in your professional setting, and that will be easy to use and protect your information. When you are choosing a conference call provider, don’t choose one that offers features you won’t use, and that you can’t understand. Choose a provider that will work for you.