June 26, 2010

Be careful of the phone interview faux pas

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In recent years, so much has changed in the job interview process that it's getting hard to recognize some of the old stand-bys. Printed want ads and resumes sent by snail mail are following the dinosaurs into obsolescence. Now, in-person meetings are, in some cases, being replaced by phone conversations -- at least for initial job interviews.

While the face-to-face interview will most likely always be with us (I hope), many companies are resorting to short introductory phone interviews to help focus on the best candidates and weed out those with poor communication skills. Many veteran job seekers are well-versed in their in-person interview etiquette, but a surprising number do not pay close enough attention to these seemingly informal phone interviews.

"Often, a candidate's failure occurs because he didn't treat the phone interview as seriously he would have a face-to-face meeting with a recruiter or potential employer," says Vicki Salemi, a career-advice specialist and author of the new job-search book "Big Career in the Big City."

Salemi's book is aimed mostly at job seekers in the New York area, but her phone-interview tips are universal and, if followed, can increase your chances of being called back for a face-to-face meeting.

Dress for success -- even on the phone. I have to admit, I'm guilty of this one. I can remember several phone interviews I've conducted while wearing sweatpants and sporting bed-head. But often the phone interviewer does not have to use Skype to tell the difference between a well-groomed candidate and one who has just rolled out of bed at 10 a.m. Salemi recommends showering and getting dressed at least 30 minutes before the interview to make sure you sound refreshed, confident and professional. "I can't tell you how many times I've conducted phone interviews with people who literally just woke up," she writes. "This created the visions in my head about their unbrushed teeth, uncombed hair, and overall inability to focus."

Use a land line, if possible. We're all addicted to our cell phones these days, and some of us have even ditched the old 20th century land-line technology altogether. But as convenient as cell phones are, they still don't measure up to conventional phones in terms of sound quality and reliability. If you have to use a cell, Salemi says, be sure to find an quiet, indoor place where there will be fewer extraneous noises and distractions so you can concentrate on the questions.

Take advantage of interview resources. Unlike face-to-face interviews, phone conversations can give interviewees the advantage of using unseen resources and visual aids while you are talking with the hiring manager. Salemi recommends writing up a list of talking points to check off as you go and to call up the company's Web site to discuss the latest news about the company and how you can help them achieve success.

Smile when you speak. In an in-person interview, you'd never dream of staring at the floor and speaking with a blank expression on your face. Yet, that's how many phone interviews are conducted, and savvy interviewers can pick up on these cues that convey indifference. When you smile, your voice automatically sounds brighter and more pleasant, Salemi says. She also recommends standing up during your interview, which will help project your voice better and make you feel more confident. "Celebrities do this all of the time during radio interviews," she adds, "so why not channel your inner rock star?"

Randy Woods writes about job-search tools, networking techniques and other tips to help you land your dream job.

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