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Friday, August 28, 2009
Giving good phone, part three

When you begin your phone interview, try to get the name and title of the interviewer and write it down. That way, you can refer to it throughout the interview (people likes to hear their names -- that's what Dale Carnegie, the dean of influencing others advises). You may also be able to write a post-interview thank you note or email if you've also managed to get contact info.

You should "tickle interviewers' interest" by answering most of their questions, but give them a reason to meet you in person for the tough questions, advises Brenda Fabian, director of career services at Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, Pa. "Tell the interviewer that you can better answer that question in person, and ask to set up a meeting to better explain your qualifications. Decide beforehand which questions can best be put off. You can use this tactic two or three times in the same conversation, if you are comfortable with it."

Remember, says Cynthia Favre, director of career management at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota, a key goal of the phone interview is to advance to an in-person interview. "As the call winds to a close, tell the interviewer you think you can better discuss your qualifications in person and suggest a day and time you can be at their office."    

Posted by Jane Von Bergen @ 2:30 AM  Permalink | 3 comments
Comments   
Posted 04:20 PM, 08/29/2009
skipintro
Are you kidding? DON'T ever tell an interviewer that, hey, as much as I appreciate you interviewing me, I'm NOT going to answer your question. As someone who has interviewed more people than I can count, I can tell you, I won't hire you if you use this tactic. It's transparent, obvious, and does nothing to help the process along. The bozo who gave this advice seems to have forgotten that hiring managers are people too... and not nearly as dumb as Brenda and Cyndi here seem to think. Phone interviews are phone interviews not because interviewers are lazy or don't like meeting people face to face. They are usually the only way to get through 20 or so screenings of candidates that may be spread across the entire US. You telling an interviewer that, essentially, I don't think your question is important enough to answer today, is about the rudest and stupidest thing you can do -- assuming you actually want the job.
Posted 11:32 AM, 09/02/2009
Jane Von Bergen
Excellent point, skipinto. Is there any way to entice the interviewer to invite the candidate in for a face-to-face meeting?
Posted 11:33 AM, 09/02/2009
Jane Von Bergen
Excellent point, skipinrto. Is there any way to entice the interviewer to invite the candidate in for a face-to-face meeting?
3 comments
About Jane M. Von Bergen
Jane M. Von Bergen covers workplace issues, health insurance and organized labor for the Philadelphia Inquirer. A longtime business writer, she is now covering her second recession. Von Bergen began her reporting career in fourth grade and then married into it, falling in love with a photographer she met working while working for her college newspaper. They have two college-age sons, neither of whom is studying journalism.
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