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Preparation:
1. You will have
a scheduled time to “prep” before the actual phone interview with your recruiter.
2. Prepare 3-5 questions
that are important for you to be answered by our client.
3. Research the company and if it entails relocation, research
geographic location of the position.
4. From your personal experience, write up 2-5 Problem/Action/Result scenarios from
your career.
5. Reflect on past interviews that you have had with other companies. Be sure to address any concerns from
those experiences with your PeopleResources recruiter during your “prep”.
Listening
/ Q&A:
1. Be an active listener – you should not do the majority of the talking.
2. Listen to the tone of the interviewer and adjust your tone accordingly. Take into account the status of your interviewer
in the company, whether it is the person you will report to or the HR Rep...keep your questions in context/appropriate to
that individual.
3. When answering a question be concise and honest. If you do not know the answer, ask for a rephrasing
or simply say that you will have to research the reply to that query.
4. Prepare answers to standard questions re: strengths
and weaknesses, reasons for job changes and also a summary of your career (in answer to “tell me about yourself….”).
5. Never answer “Do you have any questions?” with “No, I think you answered them all”. Have some
questions prepared, such as “What brought you (the interviewer) to the company? What keeps you here? What’s the
best thing about the company?” etc. There is always something else to ask to extract more information for your consideration.
6. Avoid naming a figure if asked about salary. Be honest about what you W-2’ed in the previous year. Tell the
interviewer that you are comfortable that the compensation will be commensurate with experience and accomplishment.
Closing:
1. Sum up your fit for the opportunity and inquire as
to YOUR next step in the process.
2. Ask your interviewer if there is anything in your background or in this discussion/conversation
that would keep him/her from moving you to the next step.
3. Be prepared to address the response to #2 above.
4.
Be sure to send a thank you note, ask your recruiter about the best method/contact info.
Phone Interview Specifics:
1. Assure you have a copy of your résumé to look at along
with your notes and questions.
2. Write “ENTHUSIASM” in red marker/crayon at the top of your papers to remind
you to emphasize your energy in your verbal presentation.
3. If the interviewer does not contact you within 15 minutes
of the appointed time, call your recruiter immediately.
4. If something should happen “on your end” and you
need to reschedule, call your recruiter immediately.
5. First choice is a non-cordless phone. Second choice is two fully
charged cordless phones. Last resort is a cell phone.
6. Your interview should take place indoors in a private
and quiet area. You need to sit down in one place and focus fully on the interview, as if you were “across the desk”
from your interviewer.
7. Do not eat, drink, smoke or chew gum. Put up the dogs and kids, do not answer call waiting.
Onsite Interview Specifics:
1. Be sure to map a route to
the meeting place, if local, take a test trip prior to the interview.
2. Dress conservatively, minimize jewelry, do not
wear cologne or perfume, cover tattoos if necessary.
3. Take several copies of your résumé to share, along
with your questions, notes and business cards.
4. Ask everyone you interview with for their business card if appropriate.
5. Do not chew mints or gum, smoke or accept alcohol in any situation.
6. Remember that from the time you drive on
to company property, you are interviewing and should conduct yourself accordingly.
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