Phone Interview Tips for
the In-depth Telephone Job Interview

When the hiring authority is on the road or in a distant location an in-depth telephone job interview may be held to determine whether it makes sense to invest time and expense in a face-to-face meeting.

This type of in-depth phone interview will be arranged in advance. By definition you will know who is to call whom, at what phone number and on what day, date and time.

The In-depth Telephone Job Interview

Take the call in a quite room with all of your reference materials in front of you.

One of the benefits of a phone interview is being able to refer to your reference materials as needed without it being obvious. These should include (at a minimum) a copy of your resume, a copy of the job description to which you applied and your research notes about the company and or hiring manager.

Reference materials may also include your career profile, your market pay research, your answers to common interview questions and a list of questions you want to ask.

The hiring manager's objective will be to answer her four unknowns about you.

These unknowns are:

• Can you do the job? Do you have the ability?

• Will you do the job? Do you have the motivation?

• Will you fit in with her team? Is your work style compatible with her team and the company culture.

• Will this position meet your needs? Can she offer the type of challenge, salary and benefits you require?

The questions that are asked will be designed to learn the answers to these unknowns. Remember this and frame your answers so they satisfy one or more of them.

For Example:

• Q: What are your strengths?

• A: I'm disciplined and focused about my work. My commitment to excellence won't allow me to give less than my best effort.

If I'm the hiring manager I just put a big Plus Sign next to work style and motivation with this answer.

Your goal is to advance to the next step in the hiring process.

This is more challenging without the benefit of eye contact and other non-verbal communications. But it can be done. These phone interview tips combined with the proper preparation and knowing what to expect can help you...Win the Job!