A couple weeks ago we held a very successful networking event here at Pile and Company featuring Paul Bailo, author of The Official Phone Interview Handbook and CEO of Phone Interview Pro:  www.phoneinterviewpro.com Paul captured the audience with a  presentation on conducting a world class phone interview.  Everyone left with real action items to improve their phone interviewing skills. 

Here are the “Cliff Notes” from his presentation:      

Be Yourself – “At Your Best”

Prepare-Prepare-Prepare    

Listen-Think-Speak    

Confident – Professional – Assertive    

Be Brief – Be Bold – Be Done     

Speak Less ; Listen More    

Questions are more important than responses    

Things to do that seem incorrect…but they work!

Pick up the phone on the 2^nd or 3^rd ring    

Dress-up for a phone interview    

Take a photo of someone to look at when you are talking to the person on the phone.    

Write out your questions, things you want to say, answers to possible questions (no one will be able to see this piece of paper…use it)    

Don’t ask for an e-mail address    

Use Pauses (no longer then 15 seconds)    

If you are interested in the position let the interviewer know. “I am very interested in this position and the opportunity to work at Acme Paper”. 

Things  to do that seem correct…and are!    

Make sure you speak to someone else in the morning before the call and/or meeting--this will wake you up.    

Make sure you have done a lot of research about the company, the job and the industry.

If you are speaking to the hiring manager, then know about him/her as well.     

Make sure you are polite and remember to say thank you!    

Use vivid words (be graceful; be clear)    

Take notes    

Listen Carefully!!

It takes at least 22 touch points to get a job. Some come from us and some come from you.