How to prepare for a telephone job interview

Telephone interviews are becoming more and more common nowadays. Employers use telephone interviews as an initial screening tool to narrow the pool of likely candidates. Telephone interviews are also popular if the alternative is to have candidates or hiring managers traveling a long way for a face-to-face meeting.

Preparing for a telephone interview is as important as preparing for any other form of interview. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of telephone interviews.

Before a telephone interview:

Gather as much information as you can about the company. The company information will help you answer interview questions well and ask appropriate questions during the interview.

Study the job description, analyze the competencies required, anticipate interview questions and prepare answers to the questions and the questions to ask.

Practice beforehand. The objective now is not to memorize the answers but to get familiar with the answers and gain confidence.

Schedule the telephone interview at a time when you will not be distracted. If the employer calls you at a bad time, excuse yourself and ask whether you can call back. When you return the call, make sure you call at the scheduled time and use a land line if possible to ensure a good connection.

Choose a quiet and private space.

During the telephone interview:

Unlike face-to-face interviews, you can have notes in front of you. Keep all the documentation that supports your job application handy so that you can consult notes during the interview when necessary.

Keep a pleasant, confident, energetic and enthusiastic tone. This is the most important aspect of telephone interviews. Smiling will change the tone of your voice and project a positive image to the listener.

Have a notebook and pen handy for note taking.

Do not interrupt the interviewer. Let the interviewer complete his or her question before you speak.

Speak slowly and clearly.

At the end of the interview, thank the interviewer and ask what the next step will be. Ask for the interviewer's email address.

After the telephone interview:

Send a written note or e-mail thanking the interviewer for their time and reiterating your interest in the position. Europeans usually do not send interview thank-you notes. Decide according to the interviewer's culture.

(Contact yangning@chinadaily.com.cn for questions and career advice)

Contributed by Jennifer Zhao, consultant in the Career Development Center at China Europe International Business School

China Daily

(China Daily 12/27/2011 page14)