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TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS: 6 PROVEN PREPARATION TIPS

09/05/2018
Telephone Interviews: 6 proven preparation tips

Congratulations! You’ve done a great job with your CV and have now been offered the opportunity to prove yourself in a telephone interview.

This type of interview is used a lot more often nowadays, as part of the application process and as effective tool for the selection of new talent for a business. This is your first chance to make a good impression and convince the company you are interviewing with, that you are the right candidate for the role.

This is why you should be very well prepared for this conversation. After all, this is the first time you will be engaging with someone who works for the company and your only chance to personally ensure you get a face to face job interview. This will help lead you to successfully securing your desired role.

Before the telephone interview!

1. Gather information
Browse the company homepage and collect as much information as possible about your prospective employer, the position and the industry. This will enable you to answer questions with confidence. However, do note that you should also prepare and raise your own questions, as this will demonstrate your interest in the vacancy.
2. Consult Social Media
Do you know the name of your interviewer? Google him! LinkedIn and other professional networking sites such as XING in Germany can reveal a lot of valuable information on the career background and experience of the person you will be speaking to during the telephone interview. You can refer to this information during the interview and it could also help you with gathering questions you may want to ask during the conversation. As an added bonus, this information could also create an ice breaker affect and help create personal friendly small talk at any point during the call.
3. Know your gaps
Does your CV have career gaps? Did you maybe not finish your studies within the standard period or perhaps go travelling? Expect to be asked questions about these gaps in your CV and ensure you have prepared relevant answers and your CV at hand during the call.
4. Ensure a good conversation environment
Take every call seriously, even if it’s only a short introductory call, it is the first impression and they count the most. Therefore, reserve enough time and avoid the distraction of TV, music, roommates or street noise. Charge the battery of your phone as well as check your connection and accessibility before the interview!
5. Remain professional
The company could call you and offer you your dream job at any time. Therefore, do not answer your phone with a casual greeting when answering or have an unprofessional voicemail set up. As much as the above might be appropriate with your friends or family, it can unfortunately leave a bad impression for potential employers.
6. Keep calm and drink water
Long conversations and nerves can leave you with a dry mouth. Therefore, have a glass of still water at hand for during the call. Taking a sip of water can also give you the opportunity to gather your thoughts before answering a question.

If you would like to gain more insight into how to prepare for an upcoming telephone interview, get in touch.

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