After sending your CV for a job offer or a spontaneous application, the recruiter sets an appointment for a first telephone interview. Don’t underestimate this meeting and don’t miss this opportunity by failing to prepare for this telephone interview. Here are some tips and tricks so that you will be confident and professional when the time comes.
An interview to be taken seriously
Unlike face-to-face meetings, only the day and the time are set… not the place, and for good reason! It’s up to you to come up with a place where you can be quiet, without being disturbed by an angry colleague or a toddler. Set your schedule broadly; in other words, finish up a few minutes before the time set, so you will not be out of breath when the time comes to pick up the phone. Likewise, don’t schedule another meeting 20 minutes after this phone call – you might become tense at the thought of having to end the interview in the next minute. Also, put yourself in the shoes of a candidate who physically meets a recruiter: morning shower and appropriate dress to put you in the state of mind of a “real candidate” who is having a “real interview” for recruitment.
A meeting to prepare for
As with any interview, you must be properly prepared: seek out information about the company (its work, its organization, its projects…), precise analysis of the job offered, cover letter and CV at hand, papers with some information about you (qualities, faults, interests) and one or two questions to ask at the end of the interview. In addition, don’t hesitate to take notes during the telephone interview about the mission, names of superiors, workforce, salary and other comments… Why? Firstly, this attitude will force you to listen actively – it’s not the time for little scribbles at the top of a Walt Disney paper! Secondly, the notes will be very useful when continuing the process, if you wish, for new meetings suggested to you.
Your voice, a working weapon,
Since you will not be able use non-verbal language, you must pay special attention to your voice. To do this, whether you are sitting or standing, hold yourself very straight. This posture will influence not only your voice, but also your level of confidence. Keep a slight smile that the recruiter will be able to appreciate and vary intonations in order to always hold the attention of your interlocutor. So that he doesn’t doze off, make short pauses to ensure that he is still there and paying attention! In order to be well understood, speak slowly and articulate well. Short and concise sentences will be preferred to verbose speech that rambles. A final point, and not least, make sure your phone battery is well charged or, ideally, try to be reachable on a land line.
Whether you are a candidate just starting on the labour market or very experienced, you may have to have a telephone interview, as a first step in selection. Take advantage of these tips and tricks to be ready not only on D-Day but also for the very first call to set the telephone interview… And yes, the assessment begins with making the appointment.