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When preparing for interviews these days, you need to keep in mind interviews over the telephone because the odds are good you may encounter this type sooner or later. Companies use them for a variety of reasons, the most prominent of which is a quicker way to winnow out candidates who are a poor fit for the job. They are also useful for interviewing candidates who are geographically remote from the company site.

The important thing to remember is that you need to treat these types of interviews just as you would one that is face to face as far as preparation and professionalism.
How should you approach this type of questioning? Here are a few tips.

1. The Setup

Make sure you choose a location that is quiet and that you will be free from interruptions. Inform family members or others that you do not want to be disturbed. It is also best to use a landline for the call to prevent any problems. If you must use a cell phone, make sure it is fully charged. Finally, make sure you have water available to sip when needed.

2. Getting Ready

You need to prepare for the phone interview just as you would for one that is in-person. Research the company as thoroughly as you can, learning about its mission, goals, values and operations.

The advantage of a phone interview is that you can refer to notes as you answer questions, so be sure to have notes prepared covering the points you want to make, and have them laid out in front of you. Also, make notes as you go through the interview, jotting down points you have made to make sure you cover everything necessary.

In addition, have questions drawn up to ask the interviewer.

3. The Interview

You will also have to tweak your presentation a little because it is taking place over the phone. For one thing, limit your answers to two to three minutes. Beyond that, the interviewer may not be listening as attentively. Make sure to speak clearly, and use your voice intonation to show your enthusiasm.

Watch how fast you talk, making sure to speak neither too fast or too slow.

4. Wrapping Things Up

At the end of the interview, inform the hiring manager about any profiles you may have online that could help give more information. Also, find out about the next step in the process. And, as with a face-to-face interview, send a thank you note.

If you are looking for employment, Winston Resources has the knowledge and experience to help you find a job. We are second to none at what we do. Give us a call today.


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