Navigate your way through a Phone Interview By: Lynn Amoruso Career Navigation

Congratulations! Congratulations on receiving a phone interview invitation. It’s an important opportunity to launch the journey to your career’s next home port.

Before Setting Sail Once you’ve established the time, date, and person (with correct spelling of the first & last name, and title) with whom you’ll be speaking, as well as who’s to initiate the call, it’s time to get underway.

Here are 4 travel tips that will be helpful:

Research the Destination  Do you know why the position is open?  Talk with people you may know who are already within the company, such as fellow Alumni, ex-coworkers, contacts on LinkedIn, etc.  Read up on current press releases and news about the company and its hiring manager

Prepare for the Journey Write well thought-out questions Practice your dialogue in front of a mirror with the phone in hand Cheat Sheet – Summary Reference Points

Tools for the Journey  Dress for the interview as if you were showing up at the office  Get your adrenaline going ahead of time, even if it means doing jumping jacks or running in place  Have a writing tablet at the ready to take notes with plenty of pens & a glass of water  Ensure an uninterrupted interview  quiet private location is a must  if able, use a landline  cell phones  charged phone  clear phone reception

Set the “Scene”  Annunciate clearly, speak slowly with confidence, and smile when appropriate  Mirror the interviewer’s tone of voice and rate of speech to gain rapport  Remember your accomplishments that will add value

Successful Checklist Summarize your strengths based on interviewer’s commentsSummarize your strengths based on interviewer’s comments Ask about any perceived weakness (such as no direct industry experience)Ask about any perceived weakness (such as no direct industry experience) Bring up the next steps – such as meeting other members of the teamBring up the next steps – such as meeting other members of the team Send a handwritten ‘Thank You’ noteSend a handwritten ‘Thank You’ note Call your Recruiter to “debrief”Call your Recruiter to “debrief”

The sky is clear, it’s time to set sail… Without these four key steps, you’ll never leave your port