This page was created to help the job applicant become more prepared for the interview process.  It was NOT designed to help the applicant 'fool' a hiring authority but rather help him eliminate the 'should of…could of…would of…' from the process.  The valued employee, who has stayed with a company for several years, is usually a little 'rusty' in remembering the steps of the interview.  On the other hand, the 'job hopper' usually does very well in the hiring process and needs very little prep help.

Before reading the below information, it is assumed that you have already reviewed the information about:

• General Tips.

If you have not, it would be helpful now to do so.

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Phone interviews can be tough. With the lack of visual communication, you must be able to rely on auditory feedback and be disciplined enough to keep focus. Most likely, the interviewer has your resume and has talked to your recruiter. Their objective will be to verify the information they have, gather additional information and make sure your chemistry matches theirs. The following are some tips relating specifically to the unique situation of a phone interview.

PRIOR TO THE CALL
Prepare Your Interview Location.  Make sure you have a quiet place set aside that is free of distractions. This place should be away from your current employer where you have access to a “land” line -- no cell phones or speaker phones should be used for phone interviews. If the phone line has a call-waiting feature, disable it. If, for some reason, you cannot disable the call-waiting feature, absolutely ignore it if someone calls. Do not schedule anything right before and especially after the interview. A good phone interviews can take as long as two hours. And finally, make sure there is no possibility of interruptions from TV, radio, children, pets, etc.

When choosing your interview location, consider your comfort zone. Some people perform best in a quiet room, while others prefer to pace around. 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 unexpected distractions or possible tripping hazards. Be sure to walk leisurely so you can maintain a calm breathing pattern.

Ten Minutes Prior to the Call . . .  Be sitting at the phone ten (10) minutes prior to the interview. At this time, you should be reviewing your notes and mentally preparing for the interview. This will give you a head start in the interview.

Before you sit down for the call, check the following: 
      * Dress for Success.  Believe it or not, properly dressing in at least business-casual attire will make a big difference
in your ability to focus on the interview. 
      * Have a glass of water ready in case you need to clear your throat. 
      * And of course, be sure to use the restroom before the call.

DURING THE CALL
Keep the following points in mind during the actual call in order to capitalize on your preparation and further the likelihood of a successful interview.

“Appear” Professional.  Without the visual communication of an in-person interview, the manner in which you answer the questions is just as important as the answer itself. Here are some tips to help give that professional “appearance” over the phone:

* Smile. Negativity or an uneasy attitude can easily show itself over a phone call.
* Do not chew gum, smoke cigarettes, eat or partake in any other activity that may interfere with your speaking during the interview. Speak directly into the phone. 
* Speak articulately, yet in a manner which leans towards yourinterviewer’s energy level and speed. 
* Try standing up. 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.
* Listen. Without the visual communication of an in-person interview, it may be tough to know when to start / stop talking. Allow the interviewer to ask the questions. Listen and wait for them to finish with their question before proceeding with your answer. 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 they can then proceed.