Getting Everything You Can From Your Telephone Interview
Due to the fact that telephone interviews tend to be brief, you should know how to take advantage of them. Barring the company has contacted you ahead of time, the initial phone interview is a screen to narrow down the pool of applicants. The interviewer will be talking to dozens of candidates, so your performance should stand out from the rest. But how will you demonstrate your merit in such a small allotment of time? How should you separate yourself from the others? It is not adequate to be able to speak about your qualifications and anticipate telephone interview questions. The hiring manager is trying to get through these interviews as quickly as possible and has heard enough.
What you need to persuade them is a sales pitch. This is a short, informative speech (one or two sentences at most) that explains what your current position is and/or what what you hope to accomplish. You have heard sales pitches in your life on the tube, the web, the radio, in magazines and at the mall. They were very short and to the point, but gained your attention instantly and generated your attention in the product being offered. More significantly, you remembered it. This is just what you want to transpire during your interview. When applying for a job, you are really promoting yourself, and you must persuade a customer (i.e. the organization) to “buy” you. That’s absolutely the truth, whether you want to believe it or not an interview is your only chance to sell yourself to the employer. Don’t take it for granted.
Your pitch should be short and appealing. It must only be a few sentences in duration, but ideally one. Imagine that you are about to meet the employer who could offer you your dream career, but you had no more than one minute to speak to him. What kind of conversation would you have with him? You can’t just list all your milestones and credentials, nor share your aims or ideas. But if you have a pitch prepared, then you should give him that.
Not only will he be impressed that you can market yourself so excellently, but that you were respectful of his time. This imaginary scenario is precisely what you do in a phone screen. There will be more specific telephone interview questions concerning your skills and experiences, but eventually the interviewer will inquire as to why you want to work for the company (or something to that effect). This is when you give your pitch. It’s your time to share why you desire to work for them. Even more important, make them realize you’re the best candidate for the job.
Because your pitch is so important, you should spend a substantial amount of time fashioning and honing it. It needs to express your abilities, your ambitions, and your successes. Fitting all of that into one sentence will be difficult, but is not impossible. First, find out how other colleagues do it by finding samples via the web, in a book, or through a friend. Research advice for fashioning your pitch. You could also desire to craft several versions or tweak it for a specific position. Rehearse it with a colleague and see what his/her opinion is. Reciteit (on them) so it rolls off your tongue. Your preparation will translate into a great phone interview.
Figure out how to make the most of replying telephone interview questions in a phone screen. Hiring manager Chris Everett offers tips on telephone interview questions and answers and more.
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