Acing the Telephone Interview

When employers advertise an open position, they receive a mountain of resumes. As a result, many are turning to telephone interviews to screen applicants, a process that can save employers a lot of time. If you're one of the 13.5 million Americans looking for a job, it pays to plan in advance for the prospect of interviewing over the phone.

Paula M. Scott, director of Career Services at Brown Mackie College—Michigan City, shared some advice that she uses to prepare students for successful phone interviews with prospective employers.

"The phone interview is a screening tool that helps employers narrow down the number of applicants," Scott said. "It's important to give 100 percent effort because the next step—a face-to-face interview—depends on it.

In April, the Bureau of Labor and Statistics reported some job gains in professional and business services, health care, leisure and hospitality and mining. Still, the unemployment rate hovers at 8.8 percent, and applicants face hefty competition in the marketing place.

Assessing Your Sound

Scott and her staff regularly prepare students at Brown Mackie College—Michigan City for all aspects of a successful employment search. "In a phone interview, the voice does it all," she said. "No one can see facial expressions or body language over the phone."

"The first step is to record yourself practicing answers to interview questions," Scott said. "This can help individuals to pinpoint how often they mumble or use 'filler words,' such as 'um' and 'like.'" Scott recommends cleaning up speech habits before a telephone interview. "Smile when you speak; it reflects in the tone of your voice. It also helps to stand rather than sit during the call. A job seeker's voice seems to better project when standing.

"Prepare like you would for a regular interview. Know your strengths and weaknesses, and plan to speak about accomplishments you want to share. Also, research the company that has taken interest in you," Scott said. She listed several tips for a successful phone interview, including:

Before the Interview

• Use a landline. A cell phone may drop the call or distort an applicant's voice.
• Turn off call waiting; it's annoying.
• No background noise; no TV, no music, no kids, no barking dogs.
• Place your resume in front of you, along with the employment ad.
• Keep a pen, paper and calculator on hand; take notes.

During the Phone Interview

• Ask the interviewer for the correct spelling of his/her name; verify the title.
• Speak slowly; enunciate words and use proper grammar.
• Don't interrupt; it's not polite.
• Don't ramble; make your answers brief.
• Ask questions; this shows the interviewer you have interest in the job.
• Thank the interviewer.

After the Phone Interview

• Send a note of thanks within 24 hours via email or regular mail; it shows gratitude and interest.
• Career Services departments at college and universities interact regularly with professionals in the business community.

Communication in both speech and writing are valuable business skills for employers. It's important to remember that with little thought and practice before a telephone interview, you can help ensure that a prospective employer will maintain interest in you.

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