As one of the leading employment firms in Miami Lakes, we can tell you that the modern interview process is a little different than it used to be. In the past, if a prospective employer was interested in you, they’d invite you to their office for an interview. Fast-forward to today and phone interviews have become the first point of contact for many job candidates with a potential employer.
Why the change?
Companies are inundated with resumes and in-person interviewing simply takes up too much time. So instead, they conduct phone screenings and then invite their top selections in for an interview. It’s more efficient and allows employers to quickly screen a plethora of good quality candidates.
So with that said, how can you prepare for your next phone interview so you move on in the process? Here are some tips to consider:
Ask for the name and title of the person who will be interviewing you.
When you know who you’re interviewing with, you’ll be able to prepare better as a result. For instance, if you’re interviewing with someone from HR, they will ask more general questions about your background and will be looking more at your fit with the company, while an actual manager in your potential department will ask more questions about skills and experience related to the job.
Use a landline instead of your cell phone for the interview.
Landlines are more reliable. Also, turn off call waiting so you don’t get interrupted during the phone interview with an annoying beep. If you don’t have a landline, and only a cell phone, make sure it’s fully charged before the interview.
Set up a quiet space for the interview.
Whether it’s your bedroom or your home office, set up an area where you know you will not be disturbed by outside distractions. Keep a pen and notebook handy so you can take notes or write down questions that you might think of during the interview. Also, keep a copy of your resume handy and write down a few key points you want to highlight about your strengths, accomplishments, and why they company should hire you.
Ask questions.
Even though this is only a phone screen, not a formal in-person interview, don’t be afraid to ask questions about the position and the company. After all, you should be evaluating the job opportunity just as much as the interviewer is evaluating you. And, if you’re interested in the position after hearing more about it, don’t forget to ask about what the next steps are in the hiring process.
Send a thank you note.
Just as you would for an in-person interview, send a thank you note via mail or email to the person who interviewed you. Thank them for the opportunity and re-iterate your strengths as well as your enthusiasm for the job.