Nailing the Phone Interview

If during your phone interview you’re juggling two small children, the dog is crying to go out into the yard, and Billy Mays can audibly be heard pitching the mini-burger pan on TV, then you’re doing it wrong. Really wrong.

When you schedule a phone interview with a company you need to take it as seriously as you would a face-to-face interview. Why? Because the company does. Phone interviews have replaced the first face-to-face interview because it’s more efficient and saves the company time and money. Not to mention it saves you time and money, so it’s a winning proposition for everyone.  So what’s the best way to handle it?

You’ll need a quiet workspace. Someplace where there will be no distractions where you can sit at a table or desk. Why a table or desk? Well, you’d be surprised how much you can detect about a person over the phone. Experienced people can tell if they’re talking to someone laying down, pacing, huddled in the corner, all manner of things. You want to sound like you’re relaxed and attentive, and the best way to do that is to sit at a desk.

Print out your resume, cover letter and references. Don’t read them off of the computer. Even navigating multiple windows can make you sound distracted on the phone. You want to be completely focused on the interviewer. You may need dates from your resume, and phone numbers of your references, but if you have them printed out in front of you then it’ll just sound better. Some may say that you should look up the company’s Web site while on the phone, but that too will cause you to sound distracted and distant. You want to stay on task, which is the interview. Keep a notepad nearby to scribble notes so you can look things up online later.

All distractions need to be eliminated. All of them. If your children won’t leave you alone in your quiet space without banging on the door, then get a sitter. Send them to your mother’s. Last resort, send them to your mother-in-law’s. But that’s a very, very last resort – no one wants to owe their mother-in-law a favor. The dog? Tie up out back with his favorite toy. Billy Mays? Well, the best thing you can do with him is turn him off, and that goes for anytime of the day, not just when you’re phone interviewing.

To secure that second face-to-face interview you want to nail the phone interview. Treat it like you would any interview, and you’ll be golden.

Six Reasons to show a Candidate the Door…

You’ve looked at a dozen resumes for the same position.  They’re all qualified, and they’re all coming in to interview. 

First impressions are all-important. I’ve seen too many applicants who are great on paper blow their interview by making easily-avoidable mistakes.  Here are some red flags for any employers interviewing more than one candidate.  If they make these easily-avoidable mistakes, it may be time to show them the door!

1. BEING LATE:  I know they’ve heard this an infinite number of times, but it is still the most important rule!  Being late for an interview shows that a candidate is irresponsible or not serious about the job/company.  An applicant should get directions beforehand, check traffic, leave early, and if for some reason they ARE late, they should call the office/interviewer and ask to reschedule.

2. INAPPROPRIATE CLOTHING:  Also sounds like a no-brainer, right?  You’d be surprised.  Even if your work place is casual, an interviewee should dress nicely!!  No tank tops, no flip-flops, and no jeans!

3. WINGING IT:  It happens ALL the time.  Interviewees don’t even bother to look up the company they are applying to, or even worse, the position they want!  Knowing who is interviewing you makes a great impression.  Look for someone who knows some key facts about your company. This helps prove how interested they are in working for you. 

4. DANGEROUS SMALL TALK:  No politics, no religion, no hot topics.  The easiest way to turn someone off is to offend them.  Also, watch out for someone who treats you too casually.  You’re not their roommate from college, you’re a potential employer.  They should treat you with respect, and prove they are a professional who will be an asset to your company.

5. BAD-MOUTHING PAST EMPLOYERS: I have interviewed several applicants who, when asked about recent job history, have trashed the last company they worked for.  This makes a terrible impression on an interviewer!  It sounds childish and vindictive!  There is usually more to this story, more you don’t want to find out about.

6. ASSUMING YOU ALREADY HAVE THE JOB: Unless I tell an interviewee that the position is theirs, they should not assume anything!  This means not asking about salary and benefits until I bring it up first.  Be gracious!  I am looking for confidence, not cockiness!

A few more interview pet peeves!
-Not having a resume to look at!! An applicant should bring two or three copies of a resume to the interview, then even if there are several people conducting the interview, we will be able to look at their qualifications.
-To Interviewees: Brush your teeth before you leave!  Don’t eat on the way, and DO NOT CHEW GUM IN THE INTERVIEW!
-I love it when a candidate SMILES!  We know you’re nervous but try and smile at us once in a while.  We might return the favor.

Interview Tips for the Flip Side

Knowing what kind of questions to ask and what reactions to look for can put you ahead of the hiring game.

Some Tips

Avoid yes or no questions at all costs. By adequately reviewing an applicant’s résumé prior to the interview, you will have time to develop how and why questions which will give you a more broad understanding of their work history.

Don’t feel like you can’t turn up the heat. In any job there will be times when your employees will be stressed. It is important to see how well they react to stressful questions. Examples of these can range from “Why do you think you are the best candidate for this position?” to “What did you think of our company website?” These questions put them on the spot and force them to think critically, quickly to formulate a response.

Look beyond the obvious. Of course you are going to want to hire the most qualified candidate. However, beyond the résumé there lies a plethora of reasons why someone may or may not be the right fit. Evaluate their personality. Are they extremely outgoing and boisterous? They may not be the best fit for a soft-spoken team who could be easily distracted. Ask about their schedule as well. Are they an early riser who shows up at 7AM and leaves at 3 or are they more of a night owl? Think about what position you are trying to place and whether or not they fit in with the overall schedule of the team.

While there is no perfect hiring formula to follow, the aforementioned advice will get you pretty close to achieving it. Make sure to edit the steps to fit your particular business and keep checking Power Applications for more tips.