Phone Interview

I don't know how often these happen anymore, but phone interviews can be tricky. Some companies use phone interviews as their first (preliminary) interview to see if they are interested in taking the time to sit down and meet with you. I did, however, get my internship after a phone interview.

For me, the key is to be prepared. I kept my resume in front of me during as well as a note pad to jot down notes and key points of the interview. It’s harder to read people's emotions through the phone, since something like 85% of our communication is nonverbal. Its important to pay attention to the tone in your interviewer's voice and that can give you a decent read. It is important to speak clearly and at a decent pace, my main problem is when I get nervous I tend to talk too fast and stumble over my words or jumble them together. It is important to feel comfortable and confident even if they can't see it they can sense it in your voice.

It is usually best to conduct phone interviews from a landline, so you don't have to worry about dropped calls and static. I would also say to try and do it in a quiet area to ensure you have the best chance not to miss anything. As in any interview you always want to say what you mean and mean what you say. Also choose your words wisely, it can be difficult to move away from the way you normally speak (the use of slang and the word like) but it is important to sound professional, especially since they cannot see you.

All and all along with the professional side shining through you should always remember to let a little bit of your personality show, making it a little personal will help the interviewer get to know the real you and help them see if you are the addition they are looking for.

-K

Dress to Impress

For any interview, no matter the kind of job, it is always a good idea to dress to impress your potential employer. You are marketing the most important product you will ever encounter, yourself.  First impressions can make or break you in an interview.

I remember while working in a retail-clothing store during college, the managers were conducting interviews for a few open positions. Only one out of four applicants were dressed for success, meaning in business/casual attire, the other three applicants were wearing dirty jeans and rip shirts. They were not hired based on the impression they gave by their attire on the day of their interview.

Dressing for success doesn’t always mean suit and tie, but making sure that you know the environment you are entering is a good start. If you were interviewing for a job in a corporate setting, then a suit would definitely be the most appropriate. If you are interviewing for a more casual job, a retail store for example, a pair of dress pants and fashionable yet appropriate top would work best.

As for hair and makeup: Less is more. It has been my impression that yes you would need to look presentable, but too much makeup can make it look like you are trying too hard. You definitely want to look fresh and clean. I always try to make my eyes pop, so I actually use those eye color specific shadows that CoverGirl and Almay sell, but that is just me, other people may like to go the natural route. Hair doesn’t have to be an updo done by a professional, but it should be nice and neat.

When you get the call to schedule an interview, your qualifications got you in, but you land the job based on that impression you give during your interview.  


Good Luck!


-K