Telephone Interviewing

Telephone interviewing has some compelling advantages.  It is cost effective and often convenient and expedient. As an added benefit it is free from appearance-based bias.  Often telephone interviews are used as one of the series of steps leading up to a face-to-face interview.  In particular common uses include initial candidate screening, to differentiate similar applicants and to obtain missing or more in-depth information, often of a technical nature.  Some organizations use the phone interview to ensure complete understanding by the job candidate of the job description. 

Applicants should be sure to set-up a properly created interview space for the interview: 
Secure a quiet area and a cleared, uncluttered space
Have the job description, your resume and transcript in front of you
Create prompting cards and key phrases you hope to use
Dress professionally (this affects your attitude and demeanor)
Take notes when needed including the names of those interviewing you (so as to be able to follow-up and call them by name). 
You may prefer to also have your computer present with the organizations website accessible.

What Employers Want to Hear in a Telephone Interview:
Clear Greeting (Hello, Mary speaking…)
Appropriate Conclusion (Thank you for interviewing me…)
Enthusiasm-excitement about the job and the company
Knowledge of the position and the organization
A few substantive questions for the interviewer (not salary, benefits…)

Employers Don’t Want to Hear:
An unprofessional message on your answering machine
Eating, chewing gum, smoking, sniffling, typing or background noises
Being placed on Hold

Don’t forget to keep a log of job titles and organizations to which you have applied.  This way you will be better prepared if you are called unexpectedly.  Usually, when a call is unscheduled it is best to try to arrange a scheduled time so you can do your homework in the mean time.  

Finally, if you would like to schedule a mock interview with Career Services you can do so by calling 410-543-6075 or Emailing careerservices@salisbury.edu .  Indicate if you would like a mock interview of a phone interview