By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter
Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter, offers more phone interview tips for job hunters.
The Phone Interview Two-Step: Nailing It Like a Pro
Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter. I’m referred to as The Big Game Hunter because I’ve been hunting down leaders and staff organizations for 40 plus years. Although I’ve done a video before or I did a video before about phone interviewing, I want to cover a couple of additional points and you know I’ll simply say that you already know that you need to be at a quiet place for the conversation but there’s some fun things that you can do that will help you really excel at a phone interview.
You know, when the interviewer calls, you thank them for making the call and then you say, you know, I’ve looked at the job description but, you know, can I get an idea of what it is that you’re looking for from me? What’s the role that I’m interviewing for? So, this way, you make sure you’re on the same page as the interviewer. Often, from the time that the position description has been created until the time that you actually interview, you know, it’s evolved a bit and although the job may read one way on paper, in actuality, they’re screening for something a little bit different. So, always take the time to ask them what it is they’re looking for.
Another subtlety is, you know, ask them how long do you expect we’ll be speaking and you can simply say, I just want to make sure that I have that amount of time in my schedule. Now, if when they’re scheduling the interview, they say, can we speak at one o’clock? Terrific! How much time should I set aside in my calendar? Just get an idea of the amount of time that you’ll be talking with them. Listen to their question.
I can’t tell you the number of times where people start to get off on these long tirades and I have to call them a tirade because, after a while, they have no idea what they’re talking about. They have no recollection of the question is and they’ve gone so far as to ask them, do you remember my original question? So, try to stay on point by answering the question in 45 seconds or less. If you have to go to a minute, so be it.
But try to keep your answers to about 45 seconds in length and listen to what they’re asking you. Along the way, you may want to sound like, you know, like you’re thinking about your answer, like you’re being a little reflective. It’s acting that you’re doing.
They can’t see that you have notes out in front of you that you’re jotting down some things. Another thing I’ll mention to you is . . . see these headphones, right? If you have access to headphones, use them. I find that being hands-free when I do my radio show and when I do my calls all day long is extremely helpful.
It just allows me to use my hands. I’m not going to develop a crank in my neck that’s going to wind up hurting during the course of my conversations. Use headphones if you can.
And finally, finally, at the end of this, you might ask them, so what’s going to happen next? When do you expect I’d hear back about next steps in the process? That gives you a sense of timeline and then, you know, again, nothing I’m talking about is to be done in a way that sounds like you’re anxious or nervous. Everything is, again, about the acting of the part. So you might just simply say, so, thanks so much for calling.
When do you think I might be hearing back about next steps in the process? Well, I have a number of people to speak with. Of course, you have a number of people to speak with. I’m just trying to get a feel for the timeline that you folks have.
Well, I expect we’ll be back to you in a week to ten days. I expect I’ll call you tomorrow about scheduling an in-person interview or whatever it is. Just get a sense of timeline and then conclude by saying, I just want you to know I haven’t been particularly interested in this role.
I do look forward to hearing from you about next steps and I’d love to continue further. Firms find it much more appealing when they’re being pursued. One of the things that hiring managers, in particular, hate is when they have to extend an offer that’s going to get turned down.
So you want to express interest because often, frequently, it’s a differentiator when hiring managers are deciding which person to make the offer to. They’ve got two individuals. They like them a lot.
They’re both quite capable. The thing that puts it over the edge for you can be very simply that you that they think you’re interested. So this is Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter.
I hope you found this video helpful. If you did and you’re watching on YouTube, share it, leave a comment, click the like button. Just do something that lets people know it was worthwhile.
Come over to my website which is TheBigGameHunter.us. I’ve got lots of great content there, including all my YouTube videos, hundreds of videos at this point, videos about job searching, videos about hiring.
Again, come over to TheBigGameHunter.us and go explore it. Next, if your firm’s trying to hire someone, send me an email at the address below. Let me know who to contact and whether I should mention your name.
I’d love to help your firm’s staff positions. If we’re not already connected on LinkedIn, send me a connection request. My page is linkedin.com forward slash in forward slash TheBigGameHunter.us. You can use my email address.
It’s in the summary area of my profile to connect with me. And finally, if you have a question about job hunting, contact me through LivePerson.com where I’m a job search and career coaching expert. I’d be happy to answer your questions.
This is Jeff Altman. Hope you have a great day. Take care.
What to Say in a Pre-Screening Phone Interview for a Job
ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER
People hire Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter to provide No BS Career Advice globally because he makes many things in peoples’ careers easier. Those things can involve job search,
hiring more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues.
Schedule a discovery call at my website, www.TheBigGameHunter.us
He is the host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for job search with over 3000 episodes.
Website: https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us (schedule a paid coaching session, a free discovery call or ask questions using my Trusted Adviser Services)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/TheBigGameHunter
Courses: https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/courses
Books and Guides: https://www.TheBigGameHunter.us/books
Resume & LinkedIn Profile critiques www.TheBigGameHunter.us/critiques
We grant permission for this post and others to be used on your website as long as a backlink is included to www.TheBigGameHunter.us and notice is provided that it is provided by Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter as an author or creator. Not acknowledging his work or providing a backlink to www.TheBigGameHunter.us makes you subject to a $1000 penalty which you proactively agree to pay.
