Telephone Interview Tips

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Tips for a Telephone Interview:

7 G+ e  `% j% C6 C' dToday, many companies conduct initial phone interviews to help determine the best qualified
) O8 h/ v% K% \+ ?$ Mcandidates for job opportunities. Given this, it is important to make a great impression that leads
! Z' D( @: H, |you to an in-person interview and one step closer to landing the job.
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* y+ @) [9 g. T6 AThe following are some tips for what you want to do and what you want to avoid during interviews
) V" T8 b; u) c! {0 T. B, pconducted via phone or in person:

  f! i4 R, G: }% d: EPhone Interview - Do's
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ƒ Prepare for the interview by compiling a list of your strengths and weaknesses,
1 S( H+ k# R. @. C1 aaccomplishments and answers to typical questions.

2 V. R, Y! F0 ^) w4 L; ]: G  D" Lƒ Have your resume in front of you to refer to when speaking about your work experience.
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ƒ Have a pen and paper available to take notes.

ƒ Be in a quiet place alone—turn off the radio, television and any other background noise
that might be distracting.
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/ }, Y7 U$ A! [8 jƒ Take a moment to think about the question, and, then, respond speaking slowly and
clearly.

& |& [) H# u0 A) V. Dƒ Smile during the phone interview to project a positive tone in your voice and your image.
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' a: ], v1 P( |ƒ Send a thank-you note after the phone interview to reiterate your interest in the position.
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Phone Interview - Don'ts
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! O8 Y  Q/ f5 Y8 S+ A6 K$ sƒ Smoke, eat or chew gum or candy during the interview.

ƒ Ramble—make sure that your answers are direct and to the point.
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ƒ Interrupt the interviewer when he or she is speaking.

- A) P+ e7 D! O8 k( z- C( Y! Tƒ Provide too much information—keep your answers short and to the point; however, make
0 ~2 t  I0 M$ X9 w; ^sure to fully answer the questions.
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: ?, [- S9 s1 \ƒ Bad-mouth former employers.
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