Phone Interview Made Easy: Tips to Consider

A telephone interview is a screening process to initially gauge an applicant. One can have a successful phone interview by following simple rules and tips.

A telephone interview is the first phase for screening job hunters with the position they are applying for. This important phase more likely consists of similar questions asked onsite or in a personal interview. One should follow basic rules and etiquettes in order to do well and pass this level. Below are some helpful tips to consider:

Preparation

Companies rely on contact numbers printed in your resume. Make sure you give accurate and detailed contact details so they can easily get in touch with you. You can also search and know more about the position you are applying for with the company’s profile. Ensure that your phone is fully charged or working properly. Remember to return the call as soon as possible when you miss the interviewer’s call. Give your full name and the position you are applying for.

Explain to your household members how important phone messages are in your job hunt. Have a friend practice with you. Do mock interviews to avoid nervousness over the phone.

Some companies schedule phone interviews. Better yet, have a copy of your resume, pen, pad and a glass of water beside you. Be sure to use the restroom before the interview starts.

Distractions

Have a comfortable place to concentrate on your phone interview with no distractions. Do not take the call if there is too much background noise. Shut down the TV, radio or computer sounds. Ask the people around to hush for a while if they are speaking loudly. Interviewers may not see you but they might feel that you are distracted.

Introduction
Speak clearly upon introducing oneself. Modulate your voice because your voice shows eagerness and your attitude for the job. Avoid long greetings and have a small talk.

Dress and Posture

Studies show that even if the interviewer can’t see you it is better to dress professionally. Applicants who dress professionally should also act professionally. A casual dress prompts you to act in a casual manner also.

Interview Etiquette
Following standard interview etiquettes will favor you most. It is important to address the interviewer as Mr., Mrs., Ms., sir or madam. Avoid chewing gum or eating, clearing your throat or sneezing. Take your time and do not interrupt the interviewer. Be courteous in your every answer.

Answering Questions

Be prepared for some obvious questions regarding your resume. Search for interview questions and practice answering it. It is better to be honest and do not say anything stupid.

Most phone-in questions are about your personality, the nature of the open position, your skills and experiences. Applicants should watch out for funny questions. Companies tend to ask your strong points and weaknesses. They will also ask why you want to work in their company. Understanding the company’s mission statement is a plus factor to fill the position.

Be brave in asking follow-up questions in the end. Your interest in the company is a good impression on the employer’s part.

Closing Remarks

Sell yourself to be able to get a person to person interview as well. This actually means that you are in the final stage of the hiring process, the final interview usually conducted by the operations or HR manager. Of course, this depends on the position you are applying for.

During the interview, exert some effort in feeding more information about yourself. Do not forget to thank the interviewer.

In the modern computer age, the use of real-time conversion on the net is an ideal venue in recruiting applicants for the initial screening. Chat technology is a powerful way of conveniently hiring job seekers for a certain position as well. Hence, few people get hired during phone interviews because of the lack of preparation and knowledge about it.

David H. Urmann
http://www.articlesbase.com/careers-articles/phone-interview-made-easy-tips-to-consider-1178260.html

Posted on May 5th, 2010 by admin and filed under job interview questions | No Comments »

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Job Interview Skills Enhancement Tactics

Facing an interview board sends ripples down the spine of many confident youngsters. In the nervousness and trauma of whether being able to meet the expectations of the selection board, many candidates fail to perform as per their ability. The result is a failed interview. There are many professionals who still suffer from the anxiety of job interviews and as a result are often hesitant to face any job interviews and avoid any kind of changes in the job. But this is not desired. If the able candidates receive a little bit of guidance and training on how to face job interviews they can really perform well and fair much better and give a boost to their career. Training and guidance to face the job interview board results in many successful interviews.

There can be many kinds of job interview communication tips that can be helpful for a candidate. It is best to have a practice session of the interview. Candidates can practice answering question which are probable and are usually asked my most employers. A candidate is usually asked to describe his skills, so it is best to practice describing your technical as well as non technical skills well in advance. A candidate can prepare some things in advance, so that he is not embarrassed later on. In a job interview, interviewers usually ask about the company and why he chooses the company. So it is advisable to know something about the company in which you are trying for an interview. It is good to relate what ever is known about the company, when answering specific questions.

Candidates should always be on time for any job interview. Its better to reach at least half an hour before the scheduled time of interview, so that slow and steady concentration can be developed. If a candidate is late it is a bad impression about the candidate. Its important to be calm and relaxed in any job interview. Any kind of nervousness or restless or even inappropriate behavior, such as too much talking can be against the candidate. Patience is a key factor. It is important to keep an eye contact with the interviewer no matter what the situation is. This can be a sign of confidence and will surely help the candidate. Even if the candidate is well versed with the subject of interview, it is important to listen to the entire question that is being asked. Concentrate on what is being asked-if the candidate forgets the question, it can be a real embarrassment.

Job interview communication tips usually lay a lot of stress on etiquette and mannerism during the interview. Frowning, disinterest, restlessness, stumbling and mumbling is certainly undesired. It shows lack of motivation and inability to concentrate and pay attention for the candidate. A smile and a courteous greeting to the board of interviewers while entering the meeting certainly creates a good impression. An occasional nod while listening to the interviewer shows concentration and understanding along with understanding skills. If these job interview communication tips are followed it certainly helps the candidates to succeed in the interview board.

Dan Crowley
http://www.articlesbase.com/education-articles/job-interview-skills-enhancement-tactics-734237.html

Posted on February 28th, 2010 by admin and filed under job interview questions | No Comments »

How to Ace the Job Interview

Posted on February 26th, 2010 by admin and filed under job interview questions | 4 Comments »

How to Ace the Job Interview

Posted on February 21st, 2010 by admin and filed under job interview questions | 4 Comments »

How to Answer Job Interview Questions – Common Job Interview Questions

No one likes to be interviewed especially when it comes to job interviews. Even so, you probably have to undergo some job interviews during your working career. However, not everyone knows how to answer job interviews questions.

Here are some sample job interviews questions and answers.

The most common question most job interviewers will ask is tell me about yourself. It is a open ended question and most people are actually stumped by this.

A simple and short explanation of your qualifications and work experience will do. Try not to talk more than 2 minutes. Some skillful interviewers will use what you say to get more information on the areas he or she is more interested in that is related to your potential job position.

It is important to listen carefully to the interviewer. Never rush to reply an question asked by the interviewer without thinking through first. Of course, you should not take all day to answer a question as well. That is why preparing for common job interview questions is important.

The next most common question is why do you want to leave your current job? It is best not to speak badly about your previous employer or the fact that you need a higher salary.

You can say you are looking for better career prospects and you believe your company fits those criteria.

Another common job interview questions is what are your strengths and weakness? Again, most job applicants have no idea as they did not prepare the question before hand.

Most interviewers will want strengths that fit in the job description you are applying for. For weaknesses, well, we all have weakness but you should buffer your weak points by pointing out a strength that can compensate for it.

These are some of the most common job interviewer questions. The most important thing to note is to prepare well before attending the job interview and be confident and look smart.

Ricky Lim
http://www.articlesbase.com/interviews-articles/how-to-answer-job-interview-questions-common-job-interview-questions-683164.html

Posted on February 19th, 2010 by admin and filed under job interview questions | 2 Comments »

Ace the Interview & Get the Job Offer - 10 Questions You May be Asked in a Job Interview & the Best Ways to Handle Them (part 1 of 10)

How to Answer those Tough Questions you may be asked at a Job Interview - Part One of a Series of Ten Articles

When interviewing for a new job, whether it be your first or a job change, you will be asked lots of questions. The sometimes highly skilled human resources people and managers of your prospective employer want to find out as ,much as they can about you. Will you fit in? Will you stay or are you just looking for a parking place until you can find something else? Are you a team player? In most cases they won’t ask these questions in this way. rather, they will likely ask indirectly. The more people who interview you, the more questions you will be asked. A short manual written several years ago for use in conjunction with a resume’ service I ran contains a list of 100 questions. Ten of them are presented here.

Better to be prepared in advance than to fumble around for answers during the interview. The mere fact that you did or did not prepare ahead says something about you. Being prepared is one of the attributes that may win you the job. Do otherwise at your own peril. Having changed jobs several times during my career, I learned how to answer most of them with ease. To be successful you need to do the same. The answers I propose are not the only answers, but hopefully they will serve as a guide for you in your search for a job. Good luck (or as a friend of mine once said good skill) to you in finding your new job!

Q1 - What do you know about our company?

You should consider this question as an opportunity to let the interviewer know you are interested, and that you have done your homework. Use can now use this as a springboard to tell the interviewer how your experience and/ or education and training relates to what their company does, the products they make, etc.

Q2 - What do you want to be doing 5 years from now?

Answering this question gives you the opportunity to state your goals, career milestones you hope to achieve, etc. Hopefully you have thought about this and put it down on paper. If you haven’t done it be sure you do it before the interview. Vague answers like “I hadn’t really though about ” will be scored against you and lessen your chances of getting the job offer. An answer well thought out in advance will work in your favor.

Q3 - What is your greatest weakness?

This question is a little tricky to handle, but obviously you should not start spouting out all your bad points (we all have a few). Rather you should turn the question around on the interviewer, so that your greatest weakness is not really a weakness at all, but is really a strength, i.e. - You could say that your greatest weakness is that you talk too much, but that in most cases this helps you communicate better and you usually learn more than you would if you were quiet all the time. Another example: I’m afraid I’m a “workaholic.” While this might seem like a weakness because of all the material that’s been written about this “disease.”

On the contrary, most employers look at a “workaholic” as one who is “dedicated to their job.” Many great musicians, for example have become great by spending most of their waking hours practicing, and who can say this is really a weakness?

Q4 - Why should I hire you?

Answer this one with all the attributes, accomplishments, etc. that make you the best choice for this job. Tell them that you like this kind of work, or that you want to help contribute to your new employer’s success. If you have done something in the past that specifically relates to what they do, tell them about it in detail, then tell them you can do the same for them. The absolute WORST answer here is “I don’t know” Please don’t give that answer, rather go over this question in advance and be ready for it when asked!

Q5 - Why are you leaving your present job?

If you are presently employed, the best answer is that I haven’t left my present job yet, and I may not, but that depends upon the opportunity I am offered. Another acceptable answer would be that my present job has little opportunity for growth, and that I am looking for a job with more responsibility, or I want to broaden my experience, or a similar answer that is positive.

Q6 - What was your biggest problem with your last job (or the job you are in now)?

This is another question you need to turn from negative to positive. Example of a good answer - My biggest problem was that I wanted more responsibility and authority and then job you are offering looks like just what I was looking for.. Or - My present job is not challenging enough and your offering looks like it is more challenging.

Q7 - Do you make mistakes?

Best answer here is - I am only human but I don’t make any more than the next guy, and any mistakes I make are usually minor ones and I learn from them.. If true, you could also mention that you are a stickler for doing things right the first time, and you are able to do this almost all of the time.

Q8 - Are you afraid of being fired from your present job?

This question is probably designed to put you off balance or get you flustered. Don’t let it worry you. The best answer is that you have no reason to be afraid because..and then you can start telling about some of the contributions you have made, and that you consider your self an asset to your employer.

Q9 - If you had it to do all over again, what field would you go into?

This question is probably designed to find out if you really like what you are doing presently. If you give a negative answer, or say you wish you had gone into another field, you are asking for trouble. Best answer here is the simplest - I can’t think of any field I would rather be in.

Q10 - What do you dislike about your present employer?

The safest answer here is that you have nothing against your present employer, but what you are seeking is more responsibility, a more challenging job, etc.

To see all 100 questions you need to be ready to answer at a job interview go to my website and click on the link for the book “How to Get a Job Anywhere, Anytime” part of which was the basis for this article. The rest is filled with lots of tips and how-to’s for hunting a first or a new job.

F. Claude Ernhart
http://www.articlesbase.com/interviews-articles/ace-the-interview-get-the-job-offer-10-questions-you-may-be-asked-in-a-job-interview-the-best-ways-to-handle-them-part-1-of-10-709973.html

Posted on February 18th, 2010 by admin and filed under job interview questions | 4 Comments »

state police oral board interview sample questions - trooper survival guide

http://www.PoliceOralBoard.info Learn the exact questions that you'll be asked in the state police oral board interview. If you want to be a trooper, download the questions now!

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Posted on January 31st, 2010 by admin and filed under job interview questions | No Comments »
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