Telephonic interviews call for no tension
DEARTH of time has set off a new-fangled recruitment practice these days- most organisations have now begun to interview candidates telephonically as a preliminary assessment to sift through the large number of applicants. Once you have sent your resume to an organisation, any telephone ring could find you answering the questions of your prospective employer. And since most people are not quite accustomed to this novel approach of interview, some apprehensions and wavering are only natural to loom over.
Why Telephonic Interview
The reasons may be many and varied, the most common one being the paucity of time on the part of the recruiter and the excess of resumes to screen through. But more than the reasons that lead to an organisation conducting such interviews, the aspect to give accent is the conclusions that the person at the other end draws from a telephonic interview, based on which you may either sail through to the main interview, or be done away with.
War for talent is on and professionals are spread all across globe. Inviting a person for interview involves cost. So organisations test waters through telephonic conversations first, which give a fairly good idea about the candidates potential.
What to expect
Since the interview will be preliminary in nature, you won't generally be asked any technical stuff since that is more likely to be saved for the main interview. The focus would be more on reckoning your communications skills and inferring if you have gathered ample information about the company, and some other HR sort of stuff. So as your homework, you need to envisage the likely questions that you might be asked and draw a rough outline of the appropriate answers, so that you don't hum and haw while answering.
Basic preparation
Since the telephonic interview can be conducted any day and anytime, you need to make some basic preparation beforehand to avoid nerves.
Always take a time which is convenient to you. Busy mornings and evenings, or giving telephonic interview during office hours, should be avoided. Always take a time when phone network is relatively free and call drops is minimum.
The very first thing obviously is to ascertain that your environment is in order! Your cell is fully charged, network availability is good, room is in silence etc. I remember in one instance where I was taking an interview and at the other end there were sounds of children playing.
Next, keep all relevant material which is important for you to answer questions in front of you. Your resume should be in front of you.
Be ready with some research on the organisation before interview. It creates a good impression. The person is trying to see you through the conversation.
Remember, being proactive and articulate will be the pros that your interview will hinge upon.
The Approach
The purpose of the interview is to assess you on the basis of whatever impression you manage to make through a brief conversation, so make sure that you give your all to pass with flying colours to the next stage. Bear in mind the following things while you take on the telephonic interview:
Be Calm and maintain composure Be eloquent and expressive. Avoid long pauses. However, don't be too hasty to the point of uttering something wrong or irrelevant.
Sound cheerful and effervescent. Vivaciousness always casts a good impression. For senior positions avoid sounding chirpy, projection should be of a mature person.
Don't let anyone else guide you while answering This will result in confusion and you might end up stammering. Better be alone while being interviewed.
Don't gab and be confined to exactly what you are asked. Don't delve too much on any topic and be succinct. This applies to all sorts of interviews.
Avoid showing any scorn or contempt for the earlier or the present employer or organisation. Be very subtle while recounting the reasons for quitting the job. Or else the interviewer might infer that you can ditch his organisation.
Show warmth to the prospect of joining the organization. Inquire about your role and the nature of projects you'd be undertaking. But don't ask such questions in the course of the interview; save them for later when the interviewer himself would ask you for any questions or doubts towards the conclusion of the interview.
Speak clearly, and slowly if required. Avoid using words you don't quite know how to pronounce. And never assume that simple language will mar your chances; the only thing that matters the most is what you say and how lucidly you say it. In case of global calls pause a bit to accommodate delay in satellite link.
Be assertive and confident in whatever you say.
If the interview was shorter than you had expected, don't show dismay or surprise. May be that you were simply good enough to sway the interviewer within a few minutes! Always conclude the interview with a positive note lest all your good work should be ruined. Wind up with appropriate compliments.
If you adhere to these prescribed ideas, you'll just fare well enough to end up with an invitation for a face-to-face interview. And the confidence of having cleared the first obstacle will show up there as well.
Best of Luck for the stage two!
DHYAN PS CHAUHAN
The author is an alumnus of Delhi School of Economics and a practicing HR professional.
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