Phone Interviews

Tis the season for college graduates to begin hunting for jobs.  Whether you are looking for a summer job, and internship, or a new career, you need to be prepared.  One of the most common gaps I see in young professionals' interview skills is in the area of phone interviews. Etiquette expert Diane Gottsman did a great piece on what you should do in a phone interview, and I think it's a must read.  http://dianegottsman.com/2012/01/phone-interview-etiquette-part-two/

One of the problems with phone interviews that often trips-up applicants is their unexpected nature.   Every time you pick up the phone, you are potentially interviewing.  Even if it's a quick call to set a date, your tone, manners, and knowledge are all being considered.  So what should you do? 

1. Get a professional voicemail message and learn to let the calls go there first.  A simple "You have reached Maria Delgado, Please leave your name number and a convenient time to return your call. Have a great day," will suffice.  Screening your phone when job hunting will ensure that you don't end up trying to converse with a future employer while in your car, a loud bar, or a room full of people. 
2. Pick a quiet spot to call them back at a time when you have a few moments, a pad and pen, and if possible a computer.  The problem with our cell-phone culture is that we tend to answer our phones anywhere, even when it isn't the best space or time for a conversation. Get comfortable with letting a call go to voice mail, as in number one, and you'll avoid interviewing while you walk to your car in the parking lot.
3. Be ready to interview whenever you are on the phone.  While many companies will call or email you to set up a specific time for an interview, others will begin an impromptu mini interview the minute you pick up the phone.  So be sure you are in front of a computer with your handy google screen ready in case you get an unexpected question or two. 
4. Be prepared for a real interview. Do your research before you call.  Find out who will be on the call, have the company website up, set aside 30 minutes to an hour. 
5. Be concise.  The frustrating thing about a phone interview is that you can't use non-verbal cues.  You should respond with concise, but thorough answers.  If you aren't sure if you answered the question with enough specifics, you can always say, "let me know if you would like more details about that." 
6. Finally, be sure to smile when you talk on the phone.  They can't see it, but it comes through in your voice.

If you are still using a shared landline as your phone number, be sure to tell anyone else with whom you live that you are job-hunting.  Nothing sets a poor tone for a phone interview like a rude housemate.