OBJECTIVE:

Develop PHONE SKILLS for interviewing.

STEPS:

Everyone will complete a phone interview in front of the class. Other classmates will act as the interviewer. The rest of the class will take constructive notes for improving your phone interview skills. To do well on a phone interview, follow these pointers:

1. Mention your name when you answer the phone.
2. Hopefully, you’ll be able to schedule the call for a time when you can focus completely. If necessary, don’t be afraid to ask if another time/date is available. The worst they can say is no. Be in a quiet place where you are comfortable and unlikely to be interrupted. Sometimes you can’t schedule the call because they call you. If you are driving or dripping outside the shower, ask if you could call back in a few minutes. Of course, you need to feel the interviewer out; if they hesitate to schedule another time, you might want to plunge forward and do the best you can, considering you might not be getting another opportunity to present yourself.
3. Have the documentation you need at your fingertips. Having easy access to the company and job information will allow you to confidently respond to questions without fumbling regarding which job you are talking about. So have a copy of both the job description and a copy of the resume or application you submitted in front of you before the interview starts.
4. Keep pen/paper handy to write down important information and take notes.
5. Know your answers to the common questions. Brief “yes” and “no” responses will not move a telephone interview forward, but will end it quickly. So, start by practicing your answers to the common interview questions now so that you are ready when the unplanned telephone interview occurs. The more you prepare now, the less you will ramble and leave out when the interview arrives.
6. Paint visual pictures with your words by telling stories that demonstrate results you achieved or contributed to. Answers that express the who, what, when, where, how, and why. Those answers will make you stand out. Remember body language does not translate – you will have to convey your thoughts and attitudes via tone of voice and clear descriptions
7. SMILE while you’re on the phone. Practice talking on the phone in front of a mirror, and make a point of looking into it and smiling while you are talking. You will find that you sound more upbeat and engaged when you do this. Your smiles will be “heard” by the interviewer making for a positive impression.
8. As with a regular interview, Don’t trash anyone! (especially anyone you have worked with/for)
9. Try to take cues from the interview (does he or she speak slowly and softly or fast and loud?) and modulate your own tone and word choice to make a positive impression. Make sure you have a friendly tone, but not over-excited or distracted. Speak clearly and articulately (no gushing/mumbling) and raise your voice to be more audible. Use words that are professional (no slang). Listen actively (verbally acknowledge, but don’t interrupt).
10. Now is not the time to ask about benefits or salary. Initial interviews, until you have an offer, are about selling yourself to the employer until you are the key applicant they want to hire. You do not have any power until that time and will just show that your emphasis is not on being a good fit but just on what is in it for you.
11. Don’t hang up without asking for the next step plus contact information.
    If the interviewer is bringing the call to an end but there has been no talk of a next step, Speak up! Express your enthusiasm for moving forward and ask about the next step. If an in-person interview is not scheduled at the end of the call, find out when you can follow up with the employer. Be sure to ask for contact information (name, phone number, and email address) of the person who will be your contact.
12. Say thank you, in writing. Sure, it was a telephone interview but that is no reason for not taking the time to exercise simple but powerful courtesies. Write a thank you letter and mail it (unless your main communication has been through email with the interviewer – then email the thank you). Don’t just say thank you but make a point of reiterating strengths and value for the position.

GRADING

Students will use the following rubric to score each other, in addition to leaving comments:

1. Mention your name when you answer the phone. – 1 pt
2. Ready with answers to common interview questions (avoiding simple yes/no answers, but also not rambling too long). – 2 pts
3. Speaking clearly and loudly. – 2 pts
4. Maintaining a smile to convey enthusiasm, or matching your voice modulation to match the interviewer’s. – 2 pts
5. Listens actively – verbally responding, but not interrupting. – 2 pts
6. Remembers to ask about next steps and contact info. – 1pt

CREDIT: http://www.job-hunt.org/job_interviews/telephone-interviews.shtml