Preparation

There are two main types of phone interviews – expected and unexpected. In order to be prepared for the unexpected phone call, make sure you have access to proper materials near your phone or desk. Keep a file of “employer research” near by along with a fresh copy of your resume. Your resume will allow you to easily answer questions about your past experiences. Company research can help you quickly come up with a few questions for your interviewer. Having access to a notepad and a pen is probably a good bet as well.
For expected interviews, make sure you have a space set aside that is free of distractions. Keep a glass of water nearby in case you need to clear your throat. Remember, phone interviews are just as much of an interview as a traditional meeting.

Tips

Know your comfort zone.

Some people perform best in a quiet room, while others prefer to pace around. If sitting still is your style, a room free of distractions is best. If you are the type of person that likes to walk-and-talk, consider determining a predefined route. This will help ensure that there are no outside noises or unexpected distractions like sirens. Make sure it is a leisurely walk so you can maintain calm breathing patterns.
Smile.

Negativity or a uneasy attitude can easily show itself over a phone call. Before the interview, consider spending a few minutes listening to your favorite song or watching a funny video on YouTube. Make sure you are in a good mood.
Disable call waiting.

If for some reason you are not able to disable call waiting, absolutely ignore it if someone calls.
Listen.

Without the visual communication of an in-person interview, it can be tough to know when to stop talking. If your nerves are high and your blood is flowing, you can easily make the mistake of saying too much. Make sure to speak slowly and articulately. When you have answered the question, allow for that possibly uncomfortable moment of silence. This will let the interviewer know that you are through, and then they will proceed. Listen and wait for them to finish with their next question, and then proceed. Consider taking notes on the key aspects of each question.

Do’s and Don’ts

Do give accurate and detailed contact information in your cover letter so your interviewers can easily connect with you.

• When in job-hunting mode, don’t have a disproportionately silly or long greeting on your answering machine or voicemail.
• Do ensure that household members understand the importance of phone messages in your job search.
• Do practice, if possible. Have a friend call you to do a mock phone interview so you get the feel of being interviewed over the phone. Practice makes perfect. As with all interviews, practicing before hand helps you prepare for common interview questions. Remember to “play in practice as you will in the game.” It will make a huge difference.
• If you cannot devote enough time to a phone interview, do suggest a specific alternate time to the recruiter. It’s often best to be the one who calls back so you can be mentally prepared.
• Do consider using a phone interview log.
• Do consider keeping some notecards or an outline in front of you to remind yourself of key points you want to cover with the interviewer. You don’t want your responses to sound scripted, but you don’t want to fumble for important points either.
• Do ensure that you can hear and are being clearly heard. If you are taking the call on a cell phone, make sure there is no wind in your vicinity. Wind noise will prevent you from hearing the questions and make it harder for them to hear your answers. No speaker phone.
• Do consider standing when being interviewed on the phone. Some experts say you’ll sound more professional than if you’re slouching in an easy chair. Stretching out your torso will allow you to have the full strength of your lungs. You will be able to speak more clearly and powerfully.
• Do enforce a dress code. Believe it or not, properly dressing in at least a business casual attire will make a big difference in your ability to focus on the interview. Wearing the right clothes and taking a serious approach to the call will help you maintain a professional attitude regardless of your surroundings.
• Do create a strong finish to your phone interview with thoughtful questions.
• Make sure to ask for your interviewers name. Follow up with a thank you note.
• Don’t panic if you have special needs. If you are hearing-impaired, for example, phone interviews are still possible.
• Don’t snuffle, sneeze or cough. If you can’t avoid these behaviors, say “excuse me.”

See more >>> How to Ace a Phone Interview

Check this Link entitled: How to Ace a Phone Interview

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124390348922474789.html#articleTabs%3Darticle

Title of Article: Job seekers, beware the telephone

Sarah Needleman explains how, for years, the phone interview was a preliminary step that allowed an employer to give a candidate the once-over and schedule an in-person interview. But these days, many recruiters are using the phone interview to pose the kinds of in-depth questions previously reserved for finalists. What’s more, job hunters say the bar for getting to the next level has been raised much higher, catching many of them off-guard.   READ ON via the link…

Many job seekers spend their ‘job search’ time in front of a computer because of the obvious vast resources available. How else could you possibly find so many opportunities in one place? There’s no question, all of those resources are great! … but they only pay off if you take the information you find, step away from the computer, and contact real people… on the phone and face-to-face!

Using the phone is the most efficient way to keep the momentum going in your job search. Much of your communication with prospective employers will be conducted over the telephone.

Tips for getting the most out of your time on the telephone – talking to recruiters and hiring managers.

• People hire real people – not an email, online connection, or resume!
• Think things out before you call so you can speak clearly and enthusiastically.
• Weave a conversation with the person on the phone and leave room for his or her comments.
• Don’t talk for more than sixty seconds without involving the listener.
• Ask questions early to get a positive response and to maintain the flow of the conversation.
• Establish rapport and mutual interest.
• Start with low-priority companies before calling your most desired prospective employer so you can iron out any kinks in your delivery.

Daily Phone Assignment When Conducting a Job Search

• Make a list of ten to twenty people to call, beginning at 8am. Sales representatives find it most effective to make phone calls in batches of ten at a time.
• Write out a brief outline of your “opening lines.“
• Keep five to ten accomplishment statements in front of you to strengthen your position statement (elevator speech).
• Keep your calendar nearby along with pens, pencils, and paper.
• Get something out of each call. If you’re unable to get an appointment, request the name of someone else to talk with.
• Offer a choice of two appointment dates (e.g., “Would Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday morning work best for you?”).
• Don’t stop calling until you’ve set up at least two appointments.

The Recruiter Perspective – the phone will make the difference between being an applicant and a prospect

When you send an introduction through LinkedIn, become a ‘friend’ on Facebook, send an email, or apply for a position online, you are no more to the recipient than one of the hundreds of other faceless, voiceless pieces of data they receive from the 90% of others doing the same thing. Recruiters will become interested in the candidate who calls, presents themselves professionally, and asks for a meeting.

The only way for recruiters to sort through all those applicants is to scan their information quickly, usually no more than 15 to 30 seconds per resume. If a resume matches the opening, it tells them nothing about the personality, culture fit, or professionalism of that candidate.

The only way that can be determined is over the phone or in-person.

The only way you can be considered for more than 15 or 30 seconds before a decision is made about you, is to talk to someone!

Overall Recommendations:

• When you find an appropriate opportunity, find a contact. Use LinkedIn, Google to search people at the company and find someone with an appropriate title to call.
• Don’t contact them through LinkedIn, but call the company and ask to speak to the person directly.
• Before your call, get prepared. Know the objective for your call and write a script.
• Have a script prepared in case you get their voicemail. Make it brief, professional, and let them know you will try to catch them again later.
• Search for and target companies that are of interest to you, not just job postings. Again, find a contact, call, and build a relationship. Be professional!
• Ask for an informational interview, or who else they would recommend you contact, or for their advice on how to best be considered for a position.
• Use the information they give you to call and meet others face-to-face as well.
• When you connect with someone on Facebook, or Twitter that appears to be a potentially valuable contact for your job search, be sure to call them directly as well.
• When asking for information, wherever possible, use open ended questions rather than questions which are likely to be answered with “yes” or “no.”  Your goal in asking open-ended questions is to start a conversation in which you gain information which will help in your job search.
• But don’t ask questions that you could easily find answered on the employer’s web site.
• The tone of your voice carries a lot of weight in a telephone conversation.
• You don’t have facial expressions, body language, and other non-verbal elements coming through in a phone conversation.  Smiling while you speak on the phone can make you sound more pleasant.
• Practice how you speak on the phone.

Useful Telephone Techniques

Practice, practice, practice with dry runs

Get organized. Write down any information you will need while speaking on the phone, including:
o Company information
o Names and titles
o A list of company needs
o A list of your qualifications
o Copies of past correspondence with the company

Recognize the importance of the gatekeeper (the person who stands between you and the person to whom you wish to speak)
o Listen for and write down his or her name
o Use the gatekeeper’s name in your conversation
o Enlist his or her support (”What would be the best time for me to call Mr./Ms.______?”)
o Thank the gatekeeper for his or her help

Have a reference sheet on:
o Past employment (resume)
o Strengths/accomplishments
o Length of employment in jobs
o Primary responsibilities in past positions

Write a script for each situation

Believe that you can be of value to the listener and the organization

Smile while you’re talking – it will help you sound more comfortable and confident

Practice Phone Scripts

Phone Script for an Informational Interview request

You are setting up a networking interview with a manager who was given to you as a referral. Remember:

* State who referred you
* Organize your thoughts and stay calm
* You are NOT asking for a job
* Your intent is to gather information
* People are generally open to talking about themselves and sharing their opinions
* State how a personal meeting will benefit you both
* You are seeking the advice of an expert
* Get the names of additional contacts
* Confirm time and exact address of any appointment

Practice Script for a follow-up to resume submision

You sent a resume to this company more than seven days ago. You want to know the status of your application and set up an interview. Remember:

* Be upbeat and positive
* Be clear and concise with your request
* Inquire about the process for filling the position
* Do not talk too much – listen for cues and clues
* Be courteous

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BONUS – a down loadable PDF document:

Mary Elizabeth Bradford Internationally Certified Advanced Resume Writer and Tactical Job Search Coach has written a short ebook called Phone Networking Secrets Reveal after 12 years of experience “phone networking”, beginning as an executive recruiter and ending as a coach and consultant to executive job seekers faced with their own phone networking dilemmas.

• You can apply these techniques to your job search so that your phone networking experiences become easier fro you.
• This “book” contains tips for the steps to take after submitting a resume; the often dreaded “follow up phone call”

Phone Networking Secrets Revealed (click for PDF Document, same window)

To learn more about Mary Elizabeth, check out this 30 minute interview from Peter Clayton, of Total Picture Radio.

http://www.totalpicture.com/shows/success-strategies/mary-elizabeth-bradford-the-career-artisan.html