| Companies often prefer to conduct telephone | | | | Preparation for a telephone interview is as important |
| (screening) interviews before inviting candidates to their | | | | as preparation before any other form of interview or |
| offices for a face-to-face interview. | | | | meeting. The impression you create in the opening |
| This applies particularly: | | | | moments, and the manner with which you present |
| * When candidates will have to travel a long way | | | | yourself will determine whether or not you will be |
| * When there are large numbers of candidates | | | | successful. |
| * When screening by CV is difficult (when for | | | | Find out as much as you can about the company and |
| example, personality is more important than experience | | | | the job description. If your telephone interview has |
| or qualification) | | | | been arranged by a third party, you should receive |
| * When a large part of the job will involve talking to | | | | much of this information from them. But in any case, |
| people on the telephone. | | | | do your own researches - company websites are one |
| If this telephone interview has been arranged through | | | | of the best sources of information. Find out about the |
| an agency/recruitment consultant you should know | | | | size and structure of the company, its products and its |
| exactly when to call the hiring manager, or when they | | | | markets. |
| will call you. In other circumstances, you may have to | | | | Make a note of any questions you would like to ask. |
| be prepared to receive a call 'out of the blue'. | | | | Ask about things if they are important to you, |
| From the telephone interview, your objectives should | | | | especially if your decision whether to proceed |
| be: | | | | depends upon the answers (for example: will I have to |
| * To obtain enough information to decide if you would | | | | relocate? (if that is something you don't want to do!). |
| like to proceed with the interview process | | | | Otherwise, ask broad questions such as 'What training |
| * To give just enough information to answer the hiring | | | | will be given?', 'What opportunities are the for |
| manager's questions and persuade them that you are | | | | advancement?'. Have these questions written down. |
| indeed worth interviewing face-to-face | | | | Have a notepad and pen ready, along with your diary. |
| * To 'close' the interview effectively and agree a time, | | | | Have your CV at hand. In all probability the hiring |
| date and place for your face-to-face interview | | | | manager will have a copy of it too, so you probably |
| Preparation | | | | won't be asked to describe your background in detail. |