Recently, a friend of mine was scheduled for a phone interview and she asked if I had some tips. It seems like there are more and more of these now-a-days. My guess is because there are so many people on the market for a new job that companies are having to add an extra step for screening applicants. So, here are some tips if you find yourself on a phone interview.
* As with any interview, ALWAYS BE PREPARED!!! Do your research on the company and the job opening - check out their website if you already have that information.
* Anticipate questions from the recruiter or hiring manager like the ones in my top ten. Have an idea of how you want to respond to these questions.
* Type up a list of questions that are important to you and ask them! Remember, an interview is a two way street. You're interviewing the company to make sure its a right fit as well.
* Say it with a smile. Do the interview in front of a mirror and smile at yourself. I know it seems wierd, but it really does make a difference in the sound of your voice.
* Dress as if you were going to the interview in person. Trust me, you'll feel more professional in a suit than your PJs.
* At the end of the interview, always ask "What's next?" This shows your interest in the process and the position!
Go forth & good luck!!!
Showing posts with label time management. Show all posts
Showing posts with label time management. Show all posts
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
everyone loves a top 10
Hello all. This week, I have two top 10's for you. The other day, I mentioned that I was able to go to the Atlanta Children's Shelter to work with the parents on tips and tricks for interviewing. So I wanted to give you the two top 10 lists I provided them. Enjoy!
Top Ten Do’s and Don’ts For an Interview
1. DON’T wear something that is too revealing or flashy.
Stick with dress pants or a knee length skirt. Conservative is the safer way to go!
2. DO be aware of your personal hygiene!
Take the time the morning of to shower, and brush your hair. First impressions are everything!
3. DON’T leave your cell phone on or answer it during an interview.
Turn it off or put it on silent. If you missed a call, return it once the interview is over.
4. DO bring a copy of your resume and any prepared questions.
Always be prepared!
5. DON’T chew gum during an interview.
It’s distracting and unprofessional.
6. DO wear a watch!
Plan on being there at least 10 minutes early!
7. DON’T use inappropriate language.
Try to avoid using slang. Keep the interview as professional as possible!
8. DO have a firm handshake.
It’s okay for women to have a firm handshake.
9. DON’T lie.
There is no need to lie if asked a question directly, but be careful about going into too much detail.
10. DO come with a positive attitude.
Treat all people you encounter with courtesy and respect. First impressions are everything, even that of the receptionist!
Top Ten Do’s and Don’ts For an Interview
1. DON’T wear something that is too revealing or flashy.
Stick with dress pants or a knee length skirt. Conservative is the safer way to go!
2. DO be aware of your personal hygiene!
Take the time the morning of to shower, and brush your hair. First impressions are everything!
3. DON’T leave your cell phone on or answer it during an interview.
Turn it off or put it on silent. If you missed a call, return it once the interview is over.
4. DO bring a copy of your resume and any prepared questions.
Always be prepared!
5. DON’T chew gum during an interview.
It’s distracting and unprofessional.
6. DO wear a watch!
Plan on being there at least 10 minutes early!
7. DON’T use inappropriate language.
Try to avoid using slang. Keep the interview as professional as possible!
8. DO have a firm handshake.
It’s okay for women to have a firm handshake.
9. DON’T lie.
There is no need to lie if asked a question directly, but be careful about going into too much detail.
10. DO come with a positive attitude.
Treat all people you encounter with courtesy and respect. First impressions are everything, even that of the receptionist!
Monday, February 9, 2009
the 6 P's
Well, there's actually 7, but to remain as PC as possible, I'll only use 6. What are they? Proper Pre-Planning Prevents Poor Performance. Truer words could not be spoken. Words that I live by.
This phrase can be applied to any project, goal, event, to-do list, or daily tasks you're faced with. Really what this boils down to is preparedness and adequate time management. Now, there's a word that makes everyone cringe! But is it the time management that makes you cringe or is it the ensuing chaos that tends to surround you when you least expect it? My guess? It's the chaos that you're afraid of.
So what do you do when you're about to give a presentation (that's saved on your desktop) and you find out that your laptop has died because you forgot to bring the power-cord? You switch to plan B. And if that won't work, what can you do with plan C or possibly plan D? That's the beauty of the 6 P's. If you've taken the adequate time to properly plan your presentation in advance, you're ready for any what-ifs that could potentially come your way. Plan B may be that you've saved the presentation to a public drive; plan C is that you have the presentation saved to a flash drive; and why not go ahead with a plan D - you have printouts of your presentation.
See what I mean? If you've used the 6 P's to think ahead and consider what could potentially go wrong... When it does - You're prepared! And what makes it even better is that NO ONE HAS TO KNOW IT WAS PLAN B!!!! To steal a phrase from my former boss, you're like a duck floating on water. To the average eye, you're gracefully floating across the lake; but underneath the water, you're paddling away as furiously as possible.
This phrase can be applied to any project, goal, event, to-do list, or daily tasks you're faced with. Really what this boils down to is preparedness and adequate time management. Now, there's a word that makes everyone cringe! But is it the time management that makes you cringe or is it the ensuing chaos that tends to surround you when you least expect it? My guess? It's the chaos that you're afraid of.
So what do you do when you're about to give a presentation (that's saved on your desktop) and you find out that your laptop has died because you forgot to bring the power-cord? You switch to plan B. And if that won't work, what can you do with plan C or possibly plan D? That's the beauty of the 6 P's. If you've taken the adequate time to properly plan your presentation in advance, you're ready for any what-ifs that could potentially come your way. Plan B may be that you've saved the presentation to a public drive; plan C is that you have the presentation saved to a flash drive; and why not go ahead with a plan D - you have printouts of your presentation.
See what I mean? If you've used the 6 P's to think ahead and consider what could potentially go wrong... When it does - You're prepared! And what makes it even better is that NO ONE HAS TO KNOW IT WAS PLAN B!!!! To steal a phrase from my former boss, you're like a duck floating on water. To the average eye, you're gracefully floating across the lake; but underneath the water, you're paddling away as furiously as possible.
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