Rick Zabor is the founder and Search Consultant with Peoplestaff. Peoplestaff is an Atlanta based Search firm founded in 1988, that has specialized since 1994 in the placement of the Industry‘s best PeopleSoft and Enterprise IT Talent across the USA. Rick has a degree in Physics and advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering and is an experienced engineer and researcher in the automotive and solar energy fields. He welcomes your comments and referrals by email Zabor@peoplestaff.com or through www.peoplestaff.com.

ACING THE FIRST PHONE INTERVIEW

The phone interview is one of the first and most important steps in the hiring process. A properly conducted phone interview will help the interviewer and candidate decide if a second interview is warranted.  Both parties must work to reach this outcome. Sometimes neither is prepared. Make the effort to be prepared and you’ll be rewarded with interview success.

The best outcome for the candidate is to have the interviewer decide that a second interview should take place. To get to this outcome the candidate must show the interviewer that they are likely to be successful in the job.  To do so you must understand the position, requirements, and expectations for success. The worst outcome, from the candidate's perspective, is for the candidate to want to move forward but is denied.  This is likely to happen if the candidate hasn’t shown the interviewer his potential for success in the position being discussed. Learn from each interview and you'll do a lot to control your career direction.

First phone interviews typically last from 15 – 30 minutes with the overall goal of BOTH parties to determine if a second interview is desired. Sometimes first interviews can last much longer. Being prepared will help you handle most interview situations.

HOW TO GET PREPARED FOR THE PHONE INTERVIEW

–If you are called unexpectedly by a corporate recruiter or hiring manager for a job that you didn’t apply for try to schedule an interview time so that you can prepare yourself to put your best foot forward. Do not conduct the interview without being prepared!

–Gather information about the Job Position. If you are working with a recruiter ask her to give you details. Or search online job boards for details.

–Go online to do some basic research on the company and if possible the person you will be speaking with. Do you know their title and responsibility or the position? Do you know the title and responsibility of the interviewer? A quick search on the web may turn up some interesting facts. Doing this research will distinguish you from the majority of candidates who typically wing the interview.

–Study your resume and career and try to come up with specific examples that may support your claims of skills and accomplishments required in the job description. Write down this support information next to the requirements for the job and be prepared for elaboration.

–Have support information to demonstrate some of the 'soft' skills that may not be listed in the job description. Can you show past examples of leadership, teamwork, ability to deliver, troubleshooting, verbal and written communications, professionalism, dependability, management style, and others? Soft skills are sometime overlooked. Be prepared to discuss your attributes.

–Make a list of your accomplishments and be prepared to discuss fully. Make a list of problems you’ve solved and be prepared to discuss fully.

–Prepare your interview space with a good phone connection, comfortable desk or table, a writing pad for notes, and an interruption free quite space.

THE QUESTION THAT YOU MUST ANSWER TO MOVE TO THE NEXT INTERVIEW

 A good interviewer will establish rapport, give some good background information on the position and the company, and set expectations for the interview.  NOT ALL INTERVIEWERS ARE GOOD INTERVIEWERS. By the end of the interview you must somehow answer the question  “how do you feel that your skills and experiences make you right for this opportunity?”  If you can answer it satisfactorily you will be granted a follow up. If you haven't answered it you may not be given a follow up.

Each question that the interviewer asks should be important to her decision making  process. If you are asked a question that you don't understand or can't initially answer, ask the interviewer to repeat or clarify the question and then answer the question to the best of your ability keeping the position requirements and company in mind. Sometimes interviewers try to stump a candidate to determine how they might think about a challenging problem or issue. Saying "I don't know" and then elaborating about what might be your best guess to the answer is better than spouting off a wrong answer with confidence.

SOME QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD BE PREPARED TO ANSWER

–What are you looking for in your next position?

–Why would you want to pursue this position?

–What is lacking in your current position? Why are you looking for a change?

–What do you feel is your most important accomplishment and why?

–What do you feel are your strengths? Areas to improve and why?

–Give me an example of your typical day today?

THE MONEY QUESTION:

In the first phone interview you shouldn’t ask about compensation or benefits. But if you are asked the question here is a suggested way to answer:

Tell them what you're currently earning but avoid stating a salary you'd accept.   For instance, if asked what you're earning, say "I'm currently at $___K. Although I would like an increase, I don't know enough about the opportunity to answer that fairly". Or, "Thanks for asking. While money is an important part of my decision making process I am really more interested in opportunity."

QUESTIONS THAT YOU SHOULD ASK

The questions that you ask are an important indicator of your thinking process. Ask questions to gain insight into the position, the company and their expectations for performance and you can't go wrong.

–How would you define the position that we are talking about? (you should ask early)

–What are the performance expectations for the first 6 months? first year?

–Are there any internal obstacles that might make it difficult for me to meet these expectations?

–Can you tell me a little about the company and their place in the marketplace?

–What would be a typical day for a person working in this position?

THE CLOSING

 The closing of the phone interview is very important. Usually you can tell that it is coming when you hear comments like " do you have any other questions?" Finish up by thanking the interviewer for  his or her time and then summarize your interest and ask "what is the next step?"

IMPORTANT DO’S AND DON’T CHECKLIST:

–DO Speak clearly and with energy. Give thought to your answers and work to sho with examples how your experience and ambition will help you succeed in the position.

–DO find a quiet, comfortable interview space to conduct your interview without distractions or interruptions. DON’T conduct a phone interview while driving a car or in any situation that won’t allow your full concentration

–DO conduct yourself as the Professional. Keep focused on gathering information that will help you show how your skills and experiences are a good fit for the position. 

–DON’T talk negatively about past employers, companies, or co-workers.

–DON’T talk about your personal life other than to show how you can meet the expectations of the position.

–DO use Professional communication techniques. Don’t use slang, inappropriate language, or speak negatively about other companies or individuals.