Tips for looking good on a phone interview

ANITA BRUZZESE
Tucson Citizen
Sept. 16, 2002

There are certain cardinal rules when interviewing for a job: Dress neatly and nicely, don't be late, remember to look the interviewer in the eye, and make sure your handshake is solid and steady.
But what happens to those dictums when you're interviewing over the phone?
Companies trying to trim costs often do the initial interview over the telephone when a job candidate lives in a different city. That means, if you're that candidate, that you must find ways to impress someone who cannot see you, only hear you.
When you are scheduled for a telephone interview, know that this may be a recruiter's way of developing a pool of candidates for later consideration. You may best be remembered in this initial phone call if you don't smack gum in the other person's ear and keep the volume down on the background music.
If you do decide to keep the gum, that's the kind of action that will quickly get your name crossed off a candidate list. Let's look at the key ingredients needed to make a good telephone impression:

• Be on time. Don't let the phone ring and ring, or have the answering machine pick up. On the second ring, pick up your phone and say, "Hello, this is Marge Jones." This sounds professional, but friendly - a way to show the interviewer you're ready to get started. When you're looking for a job and believe an interviewer may call you, leave a generic message on your answering machine. You may think that "Stairway to Heaven" is a good choice for callers, but recruiters shouldn't have to listen to cute, inventive or funny stuff. Also, never leave the recruiter on the line for more than 30 seconds if you are interrupted with another call.
• Stand tall. It may sound strange to stand up when the call comes in, but you will actually sound clearer and stronger to the interviewer. If you're slouched in a chair, hunched over your computer or lounging in bed, your voice will sound more muffled and perhaps even lazy.
• Keep your mouth clear. Have a glass of water nearby to sip on if absolutely necessary, in case you begin to cough. Don't ever eat or smoke while on the phone.
• Be prepared. If a recruiter calls you out of the blue, explain that it isn't a good time, and you would like to reschedule as soon as possible. This gives you the chance to get your homework done. Make sure you find the original ad for the job, a copy of your cover letter, some general information about the company and your résumé.
• Practice. Have a friend or family member phone you and rehearse over the phone. Get feedback on how you sounded. Learn to eliminate those "ahs," "you knows" and other habits that make you sound less than articulate.
• Ask questions. Of course the interviewer will be making many of the queries, but have a list of your own questions ready to go. Remember, if this is a phone interview, you want to land the personal interview where you will become a more serious candidate. Avoid asking specifics about benefits and salary, and if you're pressed to name your price, say you really can't because you don't know enough about the company yet - you would need a face-to-face meeting to really talk about the job further.
• Take notes. Make sure you understand completely everything the interviewer is saying: Repeat key phrases and write them down. If you're asked a question that you need to think about, tell the interviewer, "I need a moment to think about that." It's better than just sitting there and leaving the interviewer wondering if you fell asleep.
• Sell yourself. Repeat the skills or qualities you can bring to the job whenever you can. Don't just say "Yes," but "Yes, I know I can do that job, because I was in charge of such a project in my last position. May I give you an example?"

Write to Anita Bruzzese c/o: Business Editor, Gannett News Service, 7950 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, Va. 22107. For a reply, include a SASE.