An Interview without a View!
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The Comprehensive Guide to Tele-interviews
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WITH PLACES on the other side of the world appearing on our TV screens and air-mail relegated to the realm of myth, overtaken as it has been by the ubiquitous e-mail, the incidence of appearing togged, wigged and shod for an interview has slipped into the history books to a large extent. In my time there were twenty applicants for each job in a large organization; today there are several thousands. Calling them all for a personal interview is as expensive as it is tiring, and certainly it will take a very long time! The answer to this is the tele-interview, or a conversation with the candidate over the telephone to gauge if the candidate could be short-listed for a more personal interview. So to get to that all-important face-to-face interaction, it has become increasingly common to be asked questions by a disembodied voice to which we cannot put a face. No problem there; but how do we make out if our responses are going down well? We don't! But if we understand why they have such odd ways, we are halfway to making it to that tete-a-tete!
Actually all they want to know is the answer to a few preliminary queries which is easier (and quicker) to ask over the phone than to get into involved correspondence that also takes time! They want to know if you are seriously considering a career with them, whether you have actually bothered to find out everything you can about their company, or whether you've just bunged in your CV on the off chance! They want to know if you are articulate, and can present yourself (and in consequence the company) with panache. They are also, rightly, concerned about why, if you are working somewhere, you want to quit in the first place!
If they have the time you better have the Inclination!
It is usual in the case of face-to-facers to be clear about when, where and how. With a tele-interview this is not generally the case. Often a person halfway around the planet decides to talk to you at 2 in the morning. That's a good time to tell him that you are otherwise occupied, unless, that is you are a night bird ready to respond sensibly to his questions! Of course, mention the time where you are. Foreign recruiters are now getting a little more sensible about the difference in time zones, and do generally schedule meetings beforehand. If you can return a call, life becomes a little easier for you because you have more control over the situation, and you can gear up for the questions that you could expect. Gearing up means getting together a pen, a pad, perhaps furbishing yourself a bit and even combing one's unruly hair! Why? Psychologically it gets your mind attuned to the gravity of the situation!
Remember! The first thing that the tele-interviewer wants to know is your ability to talk and present yourself. Even though the entire journey of discovery is over the phone, where he won't be able to see you (and you, him!) the fact remains that he would like to know whether its worth arranging a tete-a-tete with you or not! That's why I mentioned earlier that it's a good idea to take control by calling back when you are appropriately dressed, groomed and prepared. You will sound competent, confident and smart if you know you look it! If you stumble over words and seem at a loss for a simple answer to a question that you should know about, you can be certain that while his right hand is holding the `phone to his ear his left hand is feeding your CV into the shredder! Remember that if the call is from abroad, there will be a slight delay by the time your voice reaches him and vice versa. Do not try and say something during the time lag! There is very little I can tell you in improving your voice. If it is a high-pitched squeak, there is little anyone can do about it. However a squeak sounds less squeaky if you speak slowly, pausing occasionally to let what you are saying percolate through to your caller. Do not be in a hurry to leap in with your answer. Take your time to consider your answer. Make the fact that your caller is not present an advantage. Jot down a point or two and mention them casually. Sentences that begin: "Its interesting you should ask me that... ." Generally are very favourably received. Others that go; "When I was researching your company, a couple of matters impressed me... " are also welcome since it indicates your interest in the position advertised.
Quiz Erat Demonstrandum!
There are several questions you may be asked but obviously, they are not going to be too technical. You'll be asked personal questions about what you have been doing in the past and if you already are employed, the terms of your employment ( how soon you can disengage etc.) What your aspirations are, your skill-sets, your family and background, and probably something that you have done in the past. The answer to the last could be the crucial one that gets you called for the `real' interview! A mention of the masterly way you resolved a conflict at your workplace or found a money-earning solution that generated considerable revenues are good ones to use! Provided, of course you have done them!
Do not maunder on and on about the half the planet and their brother. Get to the point pronto and speak clearly! The `yourself' question might be a temptation to bore on relentlessly. Resist it! Talk about stuff you haven't mentioned in your CV mention a couple of strengths and some non-negative weaknesses! If you are returning their call, you might like to keep the answers short otherwise your bill will claim a year's salary in the company! If they call, they'll keep it to anything between thirty seconds to thirty minutes depending on how good you are!
Your voice should be modulated and have a good tonal quality. Try talking out loud when you have a bath, the acoustics in there lend themselves to great modulation practice! Be amusing if you can, but do not laugh out uncontrollably even if there is something amusing! A smile on your face can be heard! Remember that! Enthusiam will shine through and its winning! Sometimes, especially in calls from abroad for senior positions, there are conference calls where you have to be able to distinguish the different voices. This could be tricky, but you'll soon get the hand of it. Handle each voice differently but with equal respect and deference. In case it is a conference call, they will introduce themselves. Use that pen and pad! Write it down! Remember them, and whenever possible, use them! You can't imagine what a hit it will be!
One question will be why you want to leave your present employment. The best answer to this is that you have grown all you can there and that you are looking for further growth. Try never to say anything bad about your present employer even if they are a cross between Bluebeard the Pirate and Genghis Khan!
Remember that tele-interviews are a bad occasion to ask about salary! Nothing can be guaranteed better to stop you in your tracks more effectively! If you had any hope of being called for a live interview, perish that thought!
Keep your CV and application handy; you may need to refer to it! Also all the information you may have collected about the organisation. And if the house is full of squalling kids, and the local brass band practising in the living room, perhaps chloroform all of them so that you are not bothered with weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth!
Your intention at the end of a tele-interview should be a feeling that you will be called for a real live interview, not to be hired straightaway, but if you do get hired straight off, Rejoice, you must have done something right!
ABHIMANYU ACHARYA
abhi.hyd@cnkonline.com
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