Dont' Risk a Good Connection.

Human resource managers or even hiring managers will often want to conduct a preliminary telephone interview with you before bringing you in for a face-to-face meeting. One positive aspect of having a telephone interview is that you can have your resume and reference notes right in front of you and refer to them while talking.

To prepare for the phone interview, write down the name of the interviewer and keep it in front of you. On the call, use the person’s name a few times to personalize the conversation. “Thanks for your time Mr. Jones”, is so much more personable than a simple “Thank You”. Also, it’s a good idea to have the job posting, the cover letter you sent with your resume and a list of bullet points about the position. A few notes on how you will  fit into it the position and organization are good too.

Because it is more difficult to get a sense of someone’s personality over the phone, you need to be more aware of the tone of your voice. Make sure that your energy is up and you project professional enthusiasm. It’s even a good idea to stand while talking; it keeps your diaphragm expanded making it easier for you to breathe and to project. Standing will also help you sound more confident. You can even borrow an old sales tip and position a mirror in front of you, so you can see your facial expressions while you talk; a smile can actually be heard in your voice.

We often interview our actuarial candidates over the phone, and we can provide great feedback. We will even help prepare them by having them practice with us on the phone. Some candidates like to record themselves so they can play the recording back to hear how they sound.

As for the technicalities, if possible, use a landline phone. If you are using a cell phone, be sure you have a strong and clear signal. Using a bluetooth device is great for keeping your hands free during the call, and for keeping your chin up when you talk.

 
Remember to always close the call by letting the interviewer know that you are very interested in meeting them, and that you are looking forward to moving ahead in the process. 

A Point of Reference

If you are job hunting, you have to anticipate that at some point in the process you will be asked to supply professional and even a few personal references. These references are usually contacted by a hiring manager, human resources person, or third party as part of your background check. Our recruiters may also call your references, and can help you choose which ones you want to pass on to the hiring company.

Plan to supply at least three professional references. All of them should be individuals you worked closely with, and at least one of them should be a previous manager or supervisor. Once you choose who will best represent your capabilities and character, make a list of their: full names, titles, phone numbers (work and home or cell) and e-mail addresses. Keep the list handy and bring it with you to your interviews.   

Be sure that you call the references you’ve chosen ahead of time so they know you are job hunting. That way they won’t be caught off guard when they do get a call, and they will be prepared to respond without hesitation to questions about their experiences working with you. Many candidates also ask that their references inform them when a company does contact them for a reference.