TACKLE THE TELEPHONE INTERVIEW
Telephone interviews are screening interviews meant to qualify candidates to find out if they have the relevant background for the position. Your mission is to be invited for a personal face-to-face interview.

Some tips for telephone interviews:
Have your resume in front of you and be prepared to answer specific questions about your background. You should review your document before the interview so you can address any items on it fully and confidently.

Anticipate the dialogue: Write a general summary of your expertise and strengths. Be prepared with answers to questions you might be asked. Focus on skills, experiences, and accomplishments.

Questions you may be asked:

"Tell me about yourself."
Make a short, organized statement of your education and professional achievements and professional goals. Then, briefly describe your qualifications for the job and the contributions you could make to the organization.

"What are your best skills, or what is your area of expertise?"
If you have sufficiently researched the organization, you should be able to imagine what skills the company values. List them, and then give examples where you have demonstrated these skills.

"What are your weaknesses?"
Be positive; turn a weakness into strength. For example, you might say: "I often worry too much over my work. Sometimes I work late to make sure the job is done well."

"What are your salary expectations?"
Deflect the question back to the interviewer by saying something like: "I am in the salary range that the recruiter discussed for this position?", or "What are you planning on paying the best candidate?"

Review the additional list of potential interview questions on our website.

Research the company and be prepared to ask approximately 5 questions if given the opportunity. (Understanding that you may not have time to ask them all.) Ask questions concerning the job, the company, and the industry or profession. Avoid salary issues if possible. Do not ask about salary or benefits unless the information is offered to you. Focus on questions relating to the position or questions about the company.

Example questions for you to ask:

· Describe a typical day on the job in this position.

· Is there room for advancement within the organization in the future?

· Where do you see this company in five years? Ten years?

· What do you enjoy about working for this company?

Be prepared to think on your feet:
If you are asked to participate in a role-playing situation, give short but concise answers. Accept any criticism with tact and grace and acknowledge you will be able to learn from the interviewer.

Push for a face-to-face meeting:
Sell yourself by closing with something like: "I am very interested in exploring the possibility of working in your company. I would appreciate an opportunity to meet with you in person."

Try to reschedule surprise interviews:
You will not be your best with a surprise interview. If you were called unexpectedly, try to set an appointment to call back by saying something like: "I have a scheduling conflict at this time. Can I call you back tomorrow after work, say 6 PM?"

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