Phone interviews are often a first step in the hiring process. Just because you can technically conduct this interview in the nude doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be prepared. They are going to ask you important questions that will determine if they would like to see you in-person. It’s not the same as the daily phone call you may have with your mother either. They don’t want to hear about your car troubles and your resulting vendetta against the car company. Unbridled rage isn’t something agencies look for in their employees. You should be able to articulately express why you want to work at that agency and what you bring to the table as a professional. Questions like: Which agency is this for again? And, Do you require a random drug test? Are unacceptable. Also, watch the intonation in your voice. Apathy is not attractive. Ben Stein, case and point. Be energetic and personable. And if you’re not feeling exceptionally jovial that day, well, fake it. Think of this as a shinning moment where you tap into your acting skills. You pull it off and I’ll give you a standing ovation. If I can round up a few more people I’ll even get a wave going. Though I’m not making any promises on this one unless your performance is Oscar worthy and they hire you via the phone.

The biggest phone interview sin is NOT answering the call. Missing this pre-set call time is equivalent to not showing up for an in-person interview. Whoever is calling you, whether it is the Creative Director or the Hiring Manger, has taken time out of their day and prepared topics to discuss. And you are MIA. If something has come up, you answer the phone and let them know that. It’s not often that I hear from a candidate that the reason they missed the call was because they were unexpectedly taken hostage, trapped in a cargo ship, and woke up in the third world. What ever you may be doing, I think you can spare ten seconds to let someone know you are going to call them back. Hate to break it to you but you are not so integral to the worlds functioning that a brief pause will result in chaos. You’re just one person whose non-action is now pissing a lot of people off. I think it is important for all job seekers out there to know that if you miss this call without warning, you have just lost yourself a job. And don’t come to me with your excuses I’m not here to put the pieces back together of something you broke. As far as I am concerned, you are unreliable therefore no one would want to hire you. And my job is to get people hired, so I’m sure you see the problem here. Finally, let’s cover proper cell phone voicemails just in case missing the call wouldn’t have been a total deal breaker. Sounding like you are yelling amidst a week long RAVE or having “I’m a bitch, I’m a Lover” serenading potential voicemail leavers is a great way to put that last nail firmly in the coffin. All you need is…your name and your openness to people leaving a message for you so that you can promptly call back. No one besides your close inner circle needs to know your affinity for the vocal stylings of one hit wonders. When it comes to phone interviews; be professional, be prepared, and definitely be sober.

Technorati Tags: Phone interviews, hiring process, questions, phone call, agency, candidate, prepared