Powerful Phone Interviews

Phone interviews are de rigueur with many organizations.

Companies conduct phone interviews for a number of reasons.

It's a way to screen out the dead wood.

It gives the next interviewer baseline information from which to work.

It saves money.

So, how do you prep for a powerful phone interview?

And how is it different from a face-to-face interview?

Recently, three of my clients aced their phone interviews. Here's what we learned works.

Prepping for the phone interview:

If you need to call from work or from a phone booth or a cell phone, tell the screener/interviewer what the circumstances are. It's better to explain ahead of time than to suddenly have to stop midway through because of noise or an interruption.

Stand up. You project stronger energy when you stand. Or even better, walk around. Remember, the interviewer has only your words and the sound of your voice with which to judge you. You will come across more upbeat and enthusiastic if you stand.

Even for a phone interview, you need to do your homework. The interviewer will be asking, "Why do you want to work at XYZ Company?" and "What do you know about us?"

Be prepared to answer classic questions, such as: "Tell me about a difficult situation you handled well," "What are your areas of development?" or an all-time favorite: "Why should we hire you?" If you need help in formulating answers to these questions, see the suggested reading section below.

Keep your responses brief, 1 - 3 sentences maximum. Choose your words carefully, and be focused. Answer the question. Do not go off on a tangent. This is even more important in the phone interview stage, where the interviewer will appreciate your succinctness.

Have water and throat lozenges handy. If you get dry mouth (don't you hate that), these can be lifesavers.

How is a phone interview different from a face-to-face interview?

You can use crib notes. And I would. Just in case you get the jitters or have a senior moment, have your responses written out (in bullet form). It's better than any security blanket.

The timbre and inflection of your voice is critical. Modulate your voice to avoid sounding monotone. When I was a recruiter and conducted phone interviews, I could pick up immediately by the tone of the person's voice whether they had the requisite drive for the job.

A phone interview is brief, sometimes 20 minutes or less. It is oftentimes a screening rather than an interview. There won't be a lot of follow-up questions based upon your responses. You won't get to connect with the interviewer. It may feel formulaic. The interviewer asks a question, and you respond. This is normal.

You will know immediately if you have done well. They will tell you they are passing you on. If you haven't done well, you will get a vague response. Ask when you should follow-up.

Finally, like a face-to-face interview, always send a thank-you note. A handwritten note is best. Sending an e-mail is acceptable, but less personal. Thank the interviewer for her time. Say you enjoyed the conversation and look forward to taking the next step. Indicate you will follow up within the appropriate time frame.

A successful phone interview is a wonderful prep for the in-person gig. You've learned what your top lines are. You've done your research. You've made it to the next step. And your confidence level is up.

So, when you get the chance for a phone interview, embrace the opportunity. It's practice for the main event.

Dale Kurow, M.S., is an author and a career and executive coach in NYC. Dale works with clients across the U.S. and internationally, helping them to become better managers, figure out their next career moves and thrive despite office politics. Visit Dale's web site at http://www.dalekurow.com/newsletter to sign-up for her free monthly ezine "Career Essentials," chocked full of useful career tips and strategies you can use immediately.

---

Google News Updated : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 17:51:10 GMT US game designer blasts into space with DNA cargo - The Associated Press Boston Globe US game designer blasts into space with DNA cargo The Associated Press - 2 hours ago BAIKONUR, Kazakhstan (AP) - An American computer game designer reached space Sunday, fulfilling a long-deferred childhood dream that began with the flight of his astronaut father. Video: Raw Video: US space tourist begins journey AssociatedPress Richard Garriott Reaches Orbit, Can Finally Act Out Plot of Tabula ... Gizmodo Sofia News Agency - Taipei Times - USA Today - Associated Content all 947 news articles Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 15:41:29 GMT Wall St Week Ahead: For stocks, high anxiety still rules - Reuters CBS News Wall St Week Ahead: For stocks, high anxiety still rules Reuters - 2 hours ago By Leah Schnurr NEW YORK (Reuters) - High anxiety on Wall Street won't subside this week as the deepening credit crunch pushes the global economy into recession, and corporate profits increasingly become an afterthought as investors scramble to raise ... Wall Street's 8 brutal days CNN The Crisis Goes From Bad to Worse Wall Street Journal New York Times - Record-Searchlight - Newsday - guardian.co.uk all 2,578 news articles Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 15:44:24 GMT Golden Gate Managers Vote to Build Suicide Net - New York Times China Daily Golden Gate Managers Vote to Build Suicide Net New York Times - Oct 10, 2008 By JESSE MCKINLEY SAN FRANCISCO - After decades of debate, and unknown numbers of lost lives, the board that controls the Golden Gate Bridge took a major step toward building a suicide barrier on Friday, voting to erect a net under the span. Bridge directors vote for net to deter suicides San Francisco Chronicle Golden Gate Bridge, Soon Suicide Free? eFluxMedia Los Angeles Times - E Canada Now - AHN - The Associated Press all 361 news articles Publ.Date : Sat, 11 Oct 2008 02:37:30 GMT Calls for change mount at IMF, World Bank meet - Business Mirror Vancouver Sun Calls for change mount at IMF, World Bank meet Business Mirror - 3 hours ago WASHINGTON—Gone are the mobs in the street. Faced with a global recession, those demanding change from the rulers of the global economy appear to be on the inside as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank hold annual talks. Video: IMF: Timing right for G7 ReutersVideo Results from the IMF meeting - just thin gruel RGE Monitor Bloomberg - New York Times - KARK - MarketWatch all 2,398 news articles Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 14:32:49 GMT Beckett struggles; Sox lose 9-8 in 11-inning slugfest - Boston Herald BusinessWorld Online Beckett struggles; Sox lose 9-8 in 11-inning slugfest Boston Herald - 1 hour ago By John Tomase ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The score was 8-8, and the significance of the next run immeasurable. For the Red Sox [team stats] it meant taking a 2-0 American League Championship Series lead back to Boston with ace Jon Lester [stats] ready for ... Video: Tampa Bay Wins Slugfest on Sacrifice Fly AssociatedPress Resilient Rays even up ALCS MLB.com SI.com - FOXSports.com - USA Today - Boston Globe all 3,249 news articles Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 16:29:59 GMT All is forgiven; McCain returning to Letterman - The Associated Press Washington Post All is forgiven; McCain returning to Letterman The Associated Press - 2 hours ago NEW YORK (AP) - David Letterman and Sen. John McCain will get a chance to make up. The Republican presidential candidate is scheduled to appear on Letterman's "Late Show" on Thursday. McCain to Appear on Letterman this Thursday ABC News John McCain to Return to David Letterman Entertainment Tonight News Orlando Sentinel - WIVB - Reuters - Los Angeles Times all 880 news articles Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 14:52:08 GMT As We See It: Elect Obama as next president - San Jose Mercury News Sydney Morning Herald As We See It: Elect Obama as next president San Jose Mercury News - 1 hour ago Barack Obama's remarkable rise really does equate with his campaign's theme: "Change you can believe in." In that many Americans today are concerned, even fearful, of what their future holds, Obama has demonstrated time and again that, while he might ... What's the Difference Between Ageism and Other Forms of Bias? Depends. ABC News Stop McCain's gambit Vallejo Times-Herald 13abc.com - NewsBlaze - Voice of America - Chicago Tribune all 546 news articles Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 16:32:54 GMT RSS For Web Pages Increase Web Traffic

PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts, Websites, and more...

Adsense websites

Conduct An Informational Interview

Informational interviews are designed to get as much information as... Read More

Do Your Very Best in All Things -- Because Someone Is Looking....

Your job is to rise ABOVE the challenge. Do more... Read More

Whiners Need Not Apply

Sometime last summer I decided to host a pity party... Read More

I Quit!

More and more people are calling it quits to successful... Read More

Nine Career Zappers

Today, everyone is looking for the secret to business success.... Read More

5 Interviewing Tips To Get That Job!

Anyone who is a jobseeker knows that looking for a... Read More

From The WorkWise Collection: Job Hunting in the New Economy

To succeed in today's global marketplace, companies must hire the... Read More

How to Make Your Career Change Easier

Despite what your grandmother told you, life is not supposed... Read More

How To Win the Job-Hunting Game

When I got over the initial shock of being urged... Read More

Taking a Survival Type Job Is Good For You.

Ugh! Arg! How can a survivor type job be good... Read More

Become A Personal Trainer

Every human body is different and a personal trainer will... Read More

Your Job Search Is A Marketing Campaign (Part 2)

Here's a continuation of my article from a few months... Read More

Put Some Mystery in Your Life

Mystery shoppers. For some it conjures up images of private... Read More

Is Your Resume Doing ITS Job?

Is it opening doors to new opportunities? Does it compel... Read More

Free Resume Examples: Use Them, But Dont

There are lots of free resume examples (or free resume... Read More

Job or Career

At this present time I have a job. It pays... Read More

Layoff Survival Guide - Do You Have The Career Management Horsepower It Will Take To Survive?

In a recent survey of over 662 career seekers, some... Read More

How to Answer The Most Difficult Interview Questions

The following 'difficult' questions are common to most tricky or... Read More

Jesse And Al Should Read This!

Instead of getting all bent out of shape over innocuous... Read More

An Alternative to Hiring Employees

Current trends in business are conspiring to create a revolution... Read More

9 Secrets to Career Success

Are you miserable at your job (or what you are... Read More

Getting Your Online Health Care Administration Degree

Are you thinking about getting your online health care degree... Read More

Consultants - If We Cant Laugh At Ourselves?

There are hundreds of varieties of Consultants these days. We... Read More

Petite Modeling: is There a Career for You?

PEtite modeling is a tough industry to break into. Especially... Read More

What is Mystery Shopping, and Can You Really Get Paid to Shop?

Mystery shoppers visit businesses "disguised as normal customers," and do... Read More