Hold the Handshake
How to ensure your phone and video interviews get you to the next round.
By Gale Kennedy
To save time and money, digital interviews are common these days. That means you could end up interviewing over the phone, in a video teleconference or via webcam at home. Since this is a different environment than face-to-face interviews, there are some guidelines you should follow to ensure a positive, successful electronic interview.
PHONE INTERVIEWS
SETTING: Conduct the interview in a quiet room with no distractions. If the caller catches you by surprise, ask to reschedule the interview.
HAVE A SCRIPT: Have “talking points” in front of you.
TONE & INFLECTION: On a phone, everything is about “how” you say it, more than “what” you say. Be positive and upbeat.
ARTICULATION: Be sure to enunciate your words fully and correctly.
BREATH CONTROL: Are you a heavy breather? Do you have to stop to breathe while you are talking? Ask someone who you speak to on the phone frequently.
RATE OF SPEECH: Some people talk really fast when they get nervous, or their voice gets high-pitched. Avoid sounding monotone.
SMILE: It really will come across in your voice.
SELF-CONFIDENCE: Do your answers, your tone, volume and enthusiasm come across in your voice and in what you are saying?
VIDEO INTERVIEWS
DO A PRACTICE RUN: Videotape yourself, then watch your facial expressions, gestures, posture and eye contact. Body language is important. Don’t slouch or rock back and forth in your chair. Look at the camera, not the floor or table.
PROFESSIONAL SETTING: You may be asked to interview at a company office, an off-site location or via a webcam sent to you. If you are interviewing at home, have a nice background behind you, even if you have to move your computer out of your bedroom to do it. A diploma on the wall behind you or a nice plant will be more professional than your kid’s artwork.
ATTIRE: Always dress as if you were there in person, even if they can’t see all of you. You might wish you could wear your fuzzy slippers and pajama pants, but if you are dressed professionally, you will conduct yourself more professionally.
TURN OFF ALL ELECTRONICS: Don’t just put things on vibrate, turn them off. Turn off fax machines, clocks that chime or any other noise-making devices.
KNOW WHEN THE CAMERA IS ON: Even presidents have been caught off guard by a microphone turned on when they didn’t realize it. Don’t blow your interview by making the wrong comment when you think no one is listening.
BACKGROUND NOISE: Be sure the dog isn’t barking, a baby isn’t crying or the kids aren’t yelling in the background with the TV blaring. If necessary arrange for a baby sitter. Employers are prohibited from asking questions about your family, so there is no need to advertise that you have children.
As more companies turn to technology to help lower their hiring costs, you can expect to do a few video interviews. It is always worth the time to practice your sales speech. Know your talking points, ask good questions and reiterate your high points as you close, explaining why you are the best person to hire. As any salesman can tell you, it’s a good solid closing that works well.