So many first impressions are made on how a job seeker looks. But what if the first job interview is a phone interview?
Traditionally, phone interviews were used to conduct screenings for in-person interviews and to answer any questions not addressed in a resume. But, today, phone interviews are sometimes replacing in-person first interviews.
Phone interviews are huge time-savers for hiring managers. Some phone interviews are very brief — designed to make an initial introduction, clarify issues on a resume, or discuss the position. The typical phone interview lasts 20-30 minutes.
Just a note, that not all phone interviews are scheduled in advance. If you get a call from a hiring manager or recruiter and it is not a good time to talk, call back as soon as you are able to. It is better to have the call go to voicemail and call the interviewer back than to perform poorly in an interview you are not prepared for.
You may be asked the same questions on the phone you might have expected would be asked in an in-person interview, so prepare like you would for an in-person interview.
At the beginning of the call, you can ask the interviewer for the correct spelling and pronunciation of their name. At the end of the call, you can ask about the next step in the interview process.
The most important advice for any type of interview also applies to virtual interviews: Practice really does make perfect. Remember, you only get one chance to make a first impression!
Stay tuned… Schofield Strategies will be providing phone interview preparation tips in our next blog post!
Note: This blog post only touches on certain aspects of this topic and is not a comprehensive list. This blog post is an educational and informational resource for job seekers and is not a substitute for working with a resume writer or other professional. See our Terms and Conditions for additional information.
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