Many job hunters find telephone interviews to be particularly daunting. They prepare for days. Practice coming up with concise answers to tough questions. Challenge themselves to sound calm and confident under pressure. More than anything, they want to show their strengths to the hiring manager while engaging in a friendly, professional conversation.
But phone interviews are not conversations. They’re questionnaires. Checklists. In most cases, a resume screener or human resources assistant poses a few general questions. There is no time for small talk. No chance to build rapport or demonstrate that you’re the right person for the job. Based on your responses, you’ll move to the next stage of the hiring process. Or you won’t.
From the employers’ perspective, phone interviews save time and money. With a series of quick, impersonal calls, they rule out candidates who don’t fit their minimum job requirements. Of course, it’s no surprise that this systematic screening method frustrates most job hunters. Especially if your qualifications don’t match up perfectly with the job posting, but you know that you can drive profits for the business. If you can just get through the door.
These days, some employers have taken the time- and cost- saving benefits of phone interviews to a new level. Rather than paying an assistant to conduct phone calls, these companies subscribe to an outside service that facilitates the telephone screening process through taped questions. That’s right. Automated calls.
If you think that standard phone interviews are impersonal, these calls will drive you nuts. Try to contain your irritation because many companies have adopted these interviews as mandatory parts of their hiring programs. If you want to work for the organization, you must endure the automated call.
Here’s how they work: As part of a subscription service, the employer records 10-12 questions over the phone. Each of these questions will be played during your interview and followed by a maximum response time (often up to two minutes). If the employer likes your answers and wants to set up an interview, you’ll receive an e-mail message or an “Interview Now” button will be added to the online job posting. At this point, you’ll follow the instructions to schedule another phone call or in-person meeting.
Here are a few tips to help you ace the automated interview:
Take the appointment seriously. Be ready at the scheduled time. Choose a quiet location without distractions or background noise.
Place a copy of your resume nearby so you can refer to it for dates, job titles or accomplishments. Have a pen and paper handy.
Listen to each question from beginning to end. Respond clearly and accurately. Provide brief examples when appropriate. Try to avoid tangents.
When you’re finished with an answer, stop talking. Wait quietly for the next question.
Know what to expect. Remind yourself that you are taking part in a questionnaire, not a discussion. If you plan for this in advance, you won’t feel frustrated or let down by the process.
Most of all, keep your wits about you. Remember that the automated phone call is just a preliminary step. Soon, you will have real discussions with people who look forward to hearing about your background. Be patient. You’ll find the open doors.
Contact Eve at Eve.GetaJob@gmail.com.
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