Recruiters
have increasingly turned to phone and video interviews over the last few years as
a way of screening for candidates to manage their time.
This
article covers some tips on how to ace those interviews.
Preparation is key
Prepare
for a Skype or phone interview as you would an in-person interview. Refer to the
following CareerVision article which provides tips for job seekers on preparing
for the interview. http://www.casource.com/memberGlobal/initViewArticleAction.do?id=106390.
Find a quiet location
Select
a spot that won’t have any noise in the background and where you won’t be
interrupted.
Make a checklist of
what you need
Have
everything you need in front of you, including your resume, the job
description, pen and paper for taking notes, and any other information that may
help you. Prepare questions beforehand that you will want to ask during the
interview.
Look into the camera
For
a video interview, look into the camera so that it gives interviewers the
impression that you are looking directly at them. Position the camera as close
as possible to the interviewer’s image.
Have a good connection
A
landline without the speakerphone, rather than a cell phone, usually provides
the best connection in terms of sound quality for telephone interviews. Similarly,
for a video interview, perform checks and balances and a test run in advance to
ensure you have a stable Internet connection.
Impress with your
verbal skills
Speak
clearly and at a good pace, not too quickly or slowly, on the call and pause
where appropriate so that the interviewer can understand you. Demonstrate that
you are well spoken by avoiding phrases such as “you know”, “um” or repetition
of your points. Speak succinctly since long-winded answers may cause the
interviewer to lose interest in what you’re trying to convey.
Answer the questions
Answer
each question as directly as possible without rambling. Write the interviewer’s
question on paper and refer back to it to make sure you answered the original
question.
Be lively
Taking
your energy up a notch on a phone interview is important since facial
expressions and body language cannot be conveyed. A phone call will tend to
make an introverted person come across even more introverted. Exaggerate your
vocal patterns. Speak directly into the phone and make sure there’s no muffle.
Call the interviewer
by name
Use
the interviewer’s name when answering a question. If there are multiple people
on the call, make sure to respond to any question with the person’s name first if
possible.
Stand up for a
phone interview
You
will have more energy when you are standing up or walking around while you talk.
However, try not to make it obvious that you’re moving around (e.g., phone line
has more static as you move around or your breathing may change).
Be aware of
background image
On
a video interview, it’s best to be in front of a neutral background - a white
wall or plant usually works well.
Take cues from the
interviewer
Let
the interviewer dictate the flow of the interview - don’t dominate the
conversation.
Finish strong
Close
the interview reiterating your interest in the position, highlighting any key
points and asking what the next steps would be. Send a thank you letter after
the interview.
Conclusion
Prepare
for a phone or video interview as much as you would for a regular interview. Use
many of the same techniques but realize that when the interviewer can’t see you
on a telephone call, you need to compensate for this.
**********************************************************
Marc
Belaiche is a 1990 CPA, CA and is President of TorontoJobs.ca, an Internet
recruitment business and recruiting firm located in the Greater Toronto Area in
Canada. Marc has been in the recruitment industry since 1995.
TorontoJobs.ca allows companies to post their positions online, search a resume
database to find candidates, provides outplacement services and full temporary
and permanent recruitment services. It also allows candidates to search and
apply to positions directly online and get career, interviewing and resume tips
all at no charge. Marc is also President of TorontoEntrepreneurs.ca, an
organization geared towards business owners (see www.TorontoEntrepreneurs.ca) with an annual Toronto Entrepreneurs
Conference. You can reach Marc at marc.belaiche@torontojobs.ca and check out TorontoJobs.ca at www.TorontoJobs.ca.
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