The Phone Screen: Creating Favorable First Impressions

By Barry Lawrence

Jobfox recently announce a new service called Jobfox Intros. In short, this service will create immediate introductions between highly-matched candidates and compatible employers. For job seekers, this means they need to be more prepared than ever for the common "phone screen" tactic used by corporate recruiters today.

The phone screen is a critical step in landing a new job and one that is often overlooked by job seekers. Many are caught off guard when a corporate recruiter calls. With the emergence of Web 2.0 tools such as Jobfox, the phone screen will become even more common. Job seekers need to be prepared since the phone screen decides, among a first cut of potential new hires, who will be invited to participate in the next stage: face-to-face interviews with the company.

"It happens all the time. We get a resume that everyone thinks is really exciting . . . And then I call them up and I can't stand them," writes Joel Spolsky, who provides phone screen advice at Joel on Software.

Here is a compendium of advice from BetterMondays:

Know the goal

Your goal, during a phone screen, is to get invited to a face-to-face interview. Be prepared with three or four supporting stories about your career strengths and experiences and how they specifically apply to the job opening. Also, be prepared to give a brief elevator pitch about yourself — how you got to your current position as a professional and how your career trajectory is on a perfect path for this new job opportunity.

This is not the time to open up discussions on salary, concerns about the company or other thornier issues (see BM Asking the Right Questions During a Phone Interview). Remember the goal.

Energize

Enthusiasm and passion are your best friends during a phone screen. Tips of the trade include standing rather than sitting during the conversation and making sure you have a smile on your face at all times while talking to the interviewer. Although unseen, these tricks tell your body to boost its energy level. Some professionals even go as far as to dress up for a phone screen, even though they are taking the call from the privacy of their home.

Be Prepared

Recruiters and hiring managers, such as Joel, complain of "a frightening lack of preparation" by candidates prior to phone screens.

"Jobfox is trying to improve the first impressions that job seekers make on phone interviews by providing 'prep sheets' of tips, company links and job-fit highlights to candidates who have successfully made employer introductions on our site," said Rob McGovern, CEO of Jobfox. "With us, they can expect to get a call and they need to be in top form."

As you apply for positions or, in the case of Jobfox, are matched and introduced to employers, keep a folder handy of job descriptions, contact names, your resume and the main points you want to make about career strengths, career trajectory and how the position will help you reach your next goals as a professional.

The worst thing you can ever say on a phone interview is: "Which job are you calling about again?"

Rehearse a typical phone screen conversation with a friend or family member. Do the phone rehearsal over the phone and get feedback about your answers and level of enthusiasm. Make sure you rehearse for specific job openings. Is your voice clear? Are you talking too fast or too slow?

Minimize Distractions

Chances are, you may not be in a quiet place when the corporate recruiter calls. You may even be at work, surrounded by your boss and peers. When this happens, you can't give your full attention or best performance. Recruiters understand. In such cases, and in your friendliest voice possible, explain how glad you are to hear from them, that it's not a good time to talk right now and work with them to schedule a new time — preferably the same day or at least within 24 hours, if possible. Phone interviews can range in time from 10 minutes to an hour, so plan accordingly. Take a day off or use personal time if you can't easily get away at work.

Follow Up

After all phone interviews, e-mail the interviewer, recap your strengths for the position and let the company know how excited you are to further explore new employment opportunities. You'd be surprised at how many recruiters and hiring managers will consider only people who reach back to them. If you haven't heard back from the interviewer after a couple of days, send them some additional work samples or references and let them know again that you look forward to exploring career options with the organization.

Do Not:

Risk getting fired from your current job by doing the phone interview at work where others can hear you. If the recruiter needs to hear from you immediately, ask if you can call them before work, at lunch or at the end of the work day.

Have inappropriate home voice mail recordings that the corporate recruiter will hear if they call you at home when you are unavailable.

Chew gum, eat or smoke during the phone interview.

Do:

On your resume and other communications with employers, make sure your contact information is correct. If you are going to be away for an extended period of time, provide alternative contact information.

Make sure you have a fully charged, working cell phone or wireless headset for your land line. Telecommunications disruptions can easily throw you off your game and are frustrating for the interviewer.

Be sure to listen carefully to the recruiter and give them time to complete their questions before you speak.

Thank the recruiter over the phone for their time and consideration.

Barry Lawrence is the community advocate for BetterMondays. He is also a career and public relations evangelist at Jobfox.

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4 Comments

• 

  By massmio baiardi, October 20, 2008 @ 10:09 am

  hi I was recently terminated from my job, should I mention this during my phone interview, or present an alternate response?

• 

  By Susan, November 6, 2008 @ 6:35 pm

  response to comment: I wouldn't even mention that during the phone interview, and if you get the interview in person, then maybe you can mention the termination then but, be careful what you say!

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  By Carolyn, August 12, 2009 @ 12:07 pm

  Phone interviews seem to be the newest way to screen out candidates - not screen in. I also find them to be a waste of time. The last recruiter who contacted me sounded like a robot and went down a checklist. If you are seriously considering me for a position, you've read my cover letter and resume and already go the go ahead from the hiring manager to meet me. So, invite me in for a face-to-face interview. I'll gladly talk to you briefly on the phone to make sure it is the right fit, etc...but my resume should give you all the info you need. Seriously.

• 

  By jla, September 9, 2009 @ 2:55 pm

  Carolyn is right, but in this new world this is the way the numbers of resumes and personal data is dealt with - we have to adapt.

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