While inventing telephone, Sir Graham Bell, never would have imagined that the little thing which he invented just to talk long distances, will decide the future of 60% careers. Yes, because more than 60% of the applicants get rejected over the telephone itself. But what’s the need for a telephonic round, especially, when most of the questions asked will be repeated and all the information can be extracted during personal interview? The reasons are more than one. It saves a lot of;
1. effort
2. time, and;
3. money
Now, you would ask, how all the above are achieved? During a telephonic round,
1. First level screening happens where candidates are selected based on their communication skills, both verbal as well as non-verbal.
2. Reconfirmation of all the factual information is done like qualifications, experience etc.
3. Candidates’ level of interest is assessed by adjudging the level of research he has carried out already.
4. Candidates’ understanding of the job description and his role is ascertained to ensure that he would not back out after the entire process has taken place.
5. It is also an opportunity for the candidate to ask relevant key questions about the profile he would be offered, so that if something does not match up to his expectations, he can refuse to move ahead.
Tip to Remember: Never think a telephonic interview is casual. Prepare for it harder than a face to face as you won’t have a body language to display or cover up.
26 Tips to crack a ‘Telephonic Interview’
1 First and Foremost, NEVER think it’s casual.
2 Research thoroughly before the telephonic interview, just like you would do in a face to face interview.
3 The moment you put up your resume, you must make yourself available to recruiter for a telephonic call. So, if you get a call without intimation, don’t be miffed. Either carry on, if you can, else politely ask to set up another time stating the reason for your inconvenience. Never sound busy.
4 If you choose to continue with the call, make sure you are prepared. Never tell your recruiters that you don’t know about his company because you did not get the time to research because aren’t you supposed to apply to a job after the research?
5 Avoid using a cell phone as network issues, call drops etc. can work against you. If you can manage a land line, that would be best. If it’s on cell phone, keep your batteries charged.
6 Be at a calm place, away from noise and distractions. Avoid having people around you.
7 Keep your resume and all other important documents spread in front of you or opened in computer so that you can refer to them while answering.
8 Usually suggest a time before or after office hours. After is preferable as you are not in a hurry to reach the office or are not worries about that meeting you have today.
9 Don’t sound frustrated, if the caller is late as he is a busy person too. If its not convenient to continue, politely request him to set up a new schedule.
10 If the interview is on a land line, switch off your mobile phone.
11 Use a friend for practice through mock calls.
12 Greet positively.
13 Smile, as it reflects positivity.
14 Always ask how the caller would like to be addressed. Don’t straightaway switch on to first name, as you are not aware about the seniority of the caller.
15 Sound confident, which is possible only if you are confident, which comes from being prepared.
16 Give clear and succinct answers.
17 No single word answers please. It either shows your lack of interest or lack of information.
18 Don’t fill in awkward silences with waffle.
19 Never interrupt the caller. Patiently let him finish first.
20 Prepare a list of frequently asked questions
21 Keep just the notes and points and not complete answers pertaining to each question so that you don’t sound rehearsed or unnatural.
22 Keep a notepad and a pen ready and make notes after the interview is done. Always confirm and note the caller’s name, role in the company and phone number, he is calling from.
23 Always ask about the next step at the end of the call. Send a follow up email, confirming your interest.
24 Never hang up the phone first. Let the caller hang up first.
25 If after the call, you don’t feel your fitment in the position, always email stating the reason and a request to consider you for the kind of role you are fit for.
26 Thank the caller for the call.
Download "10 Best and Easy Tips and Tricks to Crack an Interview" for a complete interview guide.
Share your concerns, queries and reviews.
Thanks
From India, New Delhi
81. effort
2. time, and;
3. money
Now, you would ask, how all the above are achieved? During a telephonic round,
1. First level screening happens where candidates are selected based on their communication skills, both verbal as well as non-verbal.
2. Reconfirmation of all the factual information is done like qualifications, experience etc.
3. Candidates’ level of interest is assessed by adjudging the level of research he has carried out already.
4. Candidates’ understanding of the job description and his role is ascertained to ensure that he would not back out after the entire process has taken place.
5. It is also an opportunity for the candidate to ask relevant key questions about the profile he would be offered, so that if something does not match up to his expectations, he can refuse to move ahead.
Tip to Remember: Never think a telephonic interview is casual. Prepare for it harder than a face to face as you won’t have a body language to display or cover up.
26 Tips to crack a ‘Telephonic Interview’
1 First and Foremost, NEVER think it’s casual.
2 Research thoroughly before the telephonic interview, just like you would do in a face to face interview.
3 The moment you put up your resume, you must make yourself available to recruiter for a telephonic call. So, if you get a call without intimation, don’t be miffed. Either carry on, if you can, else politely ask to set up another time stating the reason for your inconvenience. Never sound busy.
4 If you choose to continue with the call, make sure you are prepared. Never tell your recruiters that you don’t know about his company because you did not get the time to research because aren’t you supposed to apply to a job after the research?
5 Avoid using a cell phone as network issues, call drops etc. can work against you. If you can manage a land line, that would be best. If it’s on cell phone, keep your batteries charged.
6 Be at a calm place, away from noise and distractions. Avoid having people around you.
7 Keep your resume and all other important documents spread in front of you or opened in computer so that you can refer to them while answering.
8 Usually suggest a time before or after office hours. After is preferable as you are not in a hurry to reach the office or are not worries about that meeting you have today.
9 Don’t sound frustrated, if the caller is late as he is a busy person too. If its not convenient to continue, politely request him to set up a new schedule.
10 If the interview is on a land line, switch off your mobile phone.
11 Use a friend for practice through mock calls.
12 Greet positively.
13 Smile, as it reflects positivity.
14 Always ask how the caller would like to be addressed. Don’t straightaway switch on to first name, as you are not aware about the seniority of the caller.
15 Sound confident, which is possible only if you are confident, which comes from being prepared.
16 Give clear and succinct answers.
17 No single word answers please. It either shows your lack of interest or lack of information.
18 Don’t fill in awkward silences with waffle.
19 Never interrupt the caller. Patiently let him finish first.
20 Prepare a list of frequently asked questions
21 Keep just the notes and points and not complete answers pertaining to each question so that you don’t sound rehearsed or unnatural.
22 Keep a notepad and a pen ready and make notes after the interview is done. Always confirm and note the caller’s name, role in the company and phone number, he is calling from.
23 Always ask about the next step at the end of the call. Send a follow up email, confirming your interest.
24 Never hang up the phone first. Let the caller hang up first.
25 If after the call, you don’t feel your fitment in the position, always email stating the reason and a request to consider you for the kind of role you are fit for.
26 Thank the caller for the call.
Download "10 Best and Easy Tips and Tricks to Crack an Interview" for a complete interview guide.
Share your concerns, queries and reviews.
Thanks
From India, New Delhi
Community Support and Knowledge-base on business, career and organisational prospects and issues - Register and Log In to CiteHR and post your query, download formats and be part of a fostered community of professionals.
Interview tips-1.ppt
HR Interview Collective Tips(2).doc
Tips for Job Interview.pdf