Success Secrets for Telephone Interviews

Looking for a job? Know someone who is? Know a young person ready to hit the job market this year? Recruiters and potential employers use phone interviews to narrow their list of prospects and are ruthless about dumping the duds.

A good first impression on the phone is the first step to a personal meeting that can lead to a job (or a sale!). Here are some tips.

1. Conduct the call from a quiet place

Pick a place where the caller won't hear leaf blowers, barking dogs, screaming kids, or kitchen or bathroom noises. If you receive an incoming call from a VIP at a bad or noisy time, politely ask to reschedule the call.

2. Use a land line

Cell phone service is still too unreliable and noisy. Your call can be dropped. Be very careful with internet based phone services. Although inexpensive, they can also cause drop outs on important calls.

3. Give the caller your undivided attention

Multi-tasking while on the phone has become a bad habit and even a compulsion with many people. If you are focusing on documents on your computer screen or desk while you are on the phone, you'll get a distracted tone in your voice that the person you are speaking with can hear.

1. Prepare for the call

If the call is the prelude to a job interview, review the company website. Make notes and have questions ready for the interviewer. Have your resume close at hand and email work samples in advance if requested.

Have a glass of water by the phone. Avoid dairy, fried or oily foods before an important call. These foods cause phlegm that can temporarily cause you to clear your throat a lot during the call.

5. Speak enthusiastically

According to the Wall Street Journal, interviewers listen for vocal cues indicating qualities such as passion, professionalism and enthusiasm. Don't be guarded. Allow them to get a sense of your personality and who you really are.

But don't be too casual. Unpolished speech habits like calling the interviewer 'dude' or 'brother' are instant turn offs.

6. Follow up

After a phone interview, follow up with a thank you email that summarizes the conversation and reinforces your best selling points.

From The VoiceCoach Newsletter by Susan Berkley. Reprinted with permission. Copyright 2010. All Rights reserved.

Susan Berkley is the author of Speak To Influence:How To Unlock The Hidden Power of Your Voice. available from your favorite bookseller. For a free subscription to The Voice Coach Newsletter visit www.speaktoinfluence.com.

Some Related Articles:

Do You Leave Annoying Voicemails?
How to Appear Confident, and Assertive, in an Interview
How to Maintain Energy on the Phone

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