A Formal Phone Call

Phone Interviews are becoming one of the top used techniques by recruiters today. I recently had a phone interview with Johnson and Johnson and although the tone of the conversation was fairly relaxed the overall communication between myself and the interviewer was very serious. The Wall Street Journal recently published at article called "Be Prepared When Opportunity Calls" written by Sarah E. Needleman, the article discusses how important phone interviews are to employers. "Interviewers listen for clues indicating such qualities as passion for the job, professionalism and whether the person might be a good cultural fit."(Needleman) What you say and how you say it may determine whether or not an in-person interview will be arranged. These conversations may seem casual but they "are no less formal than face-to-face meetings."(Needleman) Needleman offers a four step approach to phone interviews: first Minimize Distractions, "if you have scheduled a conversation, plan to be in a quiet place and avoid using a cell phone." Dropped calls are aggravating and tend to make one look less professional. Second, Sharpen Verbal Skills, the interviewer is creating a mental image of you. Save the slang for your entourage dude. Third, Prepare in Advance, know something about the position and the firm you are interviewing with, "If you've scheduled or are anticipating a phone interview, keep notes and your resume at hand, says Amy Segal, director of talent management for Verizon Communications Inc., 'the interviewer is none the wiser' she notes."(Needleman) The last step is to Follow Up, a thank you letter can do more for you than any other step and make sure to recap "your best selling points."(Needleman)

Moral of the story is that a phone call is an interview even though your not in someone's office treat it like you are. Take what you've learned at Stetson and knock it out Hatters.

Justin Dennis

References:
Needleman, Sarah E. "Be Prepared When Opportunity Calls". The Wall Street Journal
Febuary 7, 2006. (c) 2006 The Wall Street Journal