Will 2015 be the year you transition into an exciting new job?
One of the key skills that will get you that job is interviewing, and a phone screening is often the first step in that process.
As a talent development professional, you undoubtedly have skills in engaging attention, building rapport, and educating anyone—including a recruiter who has called to screen you for a job opening.
Bottom line: a phone screening is a little like training, with some key differences. You're not in charge of the agenda, there are no visual aids, and you're likely to be nervous. But with some preparation, you can overcome these challenges and make a great impression.
Prepare for the "Pop Quiz" Factor
Phone screenings are often unscheduled, so be ready. Keep a copy of all job announcements, along with your cover letters and resume, quickly available. When a recruiter says he's calling about X Company, you don't want to be struggling to remember "which job was that?"
The call may catch you off guard, and the recruiter might subtly pressure you to "talk for a few minutes right now" even though it's not a good time for you.
Asking to reschedule may put you at a disadvantage; a busy recruiter may simply move on to other candidates. But if it's really a bad time, it may be better to ask "Is there another time we can talk today?" rather than do a poor interview because you're distracted.
Anticipate Possible Questions
For the most part, phone screening questions are similar to those asked in a longer interview, so prepare answers to common interview questions.
One tricky question at this stage is: "What are your salary expectations?" Avoid stating figures before you have a firm job offer. If they insist, you can mention that a certain broad range seems to be typical, without committing to it. For example: "I'm seeing salaries anywhere from $70-90K for this type of position. Of course, a lot depends on the responsibilities, the opportunities to learn and grow, and the whole package. I'm sure once we've decided there's a fit between me and the role, we'll be able to come to an agreement."
No Visuals: Help Them "See" You, and Draw Them Out
It has been estimated that as much as 93 percent of interpersonal communication happens nonverbally. In a phone call you don't have the visual aspect of body language, so make a point of smiling, which can be heard in your voice. Stand up to sound more energetic.
You also want the recruiter to "see" you on the job—to imagine you being effective in your workplace (and by extension, theirs). So use a lot of concrete examples and short stories to illustrate your key points.
It may be harder for you to "read" an interviewer's responses over the phone. For instance, you may wonder did she understand what I just said, or is she puzzled? Or, does she want me to go on or stop?
There's a simple solution, but one we often forget to use: Ask.
For example, let's say the interview started with the recruiter asking, "Tell me about yourself," and you're not sure how your answer landed. Draw them out with an open-ended question like this: "Is there anything I just mentioned that you'd like to know more about?"
This is similar to training, isn't it? After presenting information, we check for comprehension and invite responses to create engagement.
Honor Your Excitement, and Relax
Anxious about interviews? As psychologist Fritz Perls said, "Fear is excitement without the breath." Your excitement is one of your best assets, since it communicates passionate motivation.
So appreciate your excitement, and then breathe deeply to release the anxiety. Practice this and make it part of your everyday life, so that you can remember it "on the spot."
Think of a particular word or short phrase you can repeat silently to help you relax and feel confident. Try the word "relaxing" or "good," or the phrase "letting go now," or "(your first name), you're doing great."
Be aware of the "tone of voice" in which you use your relaxation phrase. You may have seen the Seinfeld episode where Mr. Costanza was bellowing, "SERENITY NOW!"—it didn't help.
There are many other relaxation techniques you can use any time, anywhere. Experiment with a few, choose the one you like best, and practice it frequently so you're ready when you need it.
If you want to build skill in being relaxed in interviews, practice it through mental rehearsal.
- Sit down in a quiet place free of distractions.
- Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and begin to imagine yourself getting a call from a recruiter. Imagine the sound of the recruiter's voice, the feeling of the phone in your hand and the feeling of excitement inside of you.
- Imagine yourself remembering to use whatever quick relaxation technique you prefer. Imagine that it's working, and really feel the relaxation.
- Imagine remaining calm and confident as you have a great interview!
After the Phone Screening, What Type of Interview May Come Next?
This post is the first in a series that will explore various scenarios, including panel, group, sequential ("all-day"), virtual interviews, and more. Reduce the "surprise factor" by preparing to succeed in any format!
