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It is becoming more and more the trend to start the initial interview process with a telephone call instead of a face-to-face meeting. Companies are doing it more and more because it is a cost and time saver for their managers or Human Relations staff. It is a rapid way to whittle down the list of applicants to those top people whom the company is most interested in bringing in for a second round of interviews, which will be done face-to-face.

Thus with this changing trend, it has become more important to be able to do an interview over the phone with success. Keep in mind the following points while interviewing:

1. The company wants to know that you are a serious applicant.

2. The company is looking (in some instances) for key phone mannerisms that may be pertinent to the position.

3. The company is looking for the “body language” that can come through over the phone.

General rule: The phone interview will rarely last for more than twenty minutes.

Get yourself prepared for your phone interview:

1. Get plenty of rest and have a good meal before the interview. Keeping your body in good shape helps to keep your mind alert.

2. Be comfortable. Set yourself up in an area to do the phone interview where you won’t be interrupted or worry about being interrupted. Have the privacy you need to be comfortable. Also, have some water or coffee or tea at hand. Whatever you may like to drink during work hours is fine, but absolutely have water in case you do feel nervous and you find your mouth is dry.

3. Here’s the advantage to a phone interview: You can have your “cheat sheet” right there at your side. Just don’t read from it. Make it bullet-style. A few key points about yourself that you would like to touch upon, simple bullet style answers to help jog your memory but not written out for you to sound-like-you-are-reading-off-a-prepared-list.

4. Make sure you have two or three questions to ask the interviewer that are pertinent to the job and the company.

5. Have your resume and letters of reference as well as any other documents that you sent to the company available so that if they should ask you about key points you can easily refresh your own memory before responding.

Despite what others may have said in the past, a certain amount of body language does project through the telephone. Thus you will need to seize upon that as an advantage and not as a disadvantage.

Speak with confidence and certainty. Portray your enthusiasm. Do not pause for too long, or take too deep or rapid of breaths. If you feel like you may project more energy through the phone by standing, then do so. Even walk if it gives you more confidence – but just a comfortable walk – no marathon motion – your potential employer would not be impressed by heavy breathing!

Do not or eat or chew gum or smoke cigarettes during the phone interview the person on the other end can hear you puffing or chewing. If you cough, cover the speaker and excuse yourself.

Project a positive attitude, speak to your best skills and sell why you believe you are most suited from the information you currently have. Do not let your voice or mannerisms sound tired or slow.

Follow these simple guidelines and you will probably find that you have a face-to-face coming up in your near future!

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What is a “value proposition”?  The best description of a value proposition is the personal career branding that the person brings with him or her.  It is his or her distinctive blend of skills, qualifications, expertise and accomplishments.  In essence, it is what you bring to the table for the employer.

In marketing terms you could say that you are the “product” and the potential employer is the “target market”.  The concept of value proposition is really nothing more than your own unique sales pitch to land the deal.  This time you are what’s being sold, and the deal is your own future employment.

Your goal is to create a marketing message or a value proposition about yourself through your resume, cover letter, letters of recommendation, and references as well as your appearance, actions, voice, attitude and mannerisms that makes the potential employer want you.  Wrapped up in a neat package and it becomes your value proposition.

How do you create a strong value proposition?

You want to present your best features to the potential employer.  You want to make the best market presentation of yourself.

There are five key areas to look to in order to do this:
a) identify and arrange your transferable skills – look over what you bring to the table, and categorize it for the potential companies that you could reach out to.  This helps you “target your market”.

b) research your target companies – find the companies through networking, newspapers, online job boards etc. that appear to have the best matched or the most suitable positions being offered for your transferable skills.

c) match your skills to those companies’ requirements – review your resume and customize it specifically for those companies and the positions they have to offer

d) “showcase” your added value – highlight and speak to with the most strength those skills and qualities that you have which most suit that position. Some experts in the area of value propositions suggest that to help you showcase you can create a section at the top of your resume entitled, “Profile Summary,” “Summary of Qualifications,” or Career Summary,”.  This will help to catch the attention of the interviewer.

e) ensure your marketing message of you is consistent – whatever you say about you throughout your cover letter and your resume:  keep it to one or two key marketing messages throughout the documents.  Don’t say on one page you are reliable, then say on the next that you took a two-year sabbatical.  Keep it consistent throughout.

Underneath it all, however, is going to be your own unique ability to show the interviewer that you can bring more to the job than what the potential employer is expecting.  In essence, you want to create your documents, appearance and traits all to be a true marketing of you.

Make sure you create a value proposition that can easily show the answer that is foremost in the interviewer’s mind:  Why should he or she hire you?

If you do this, then you have clearly identified your value proposition, and more than likely “closed the deal”.

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You walk in, exchange names and a hand shake and sit down to start the interview.  The HR Rep explains the position and asks you a few pertinent questions about your experience and your interest in the position.

It’s going well, your answers are top of the line and you know it.  You feel good, you look good, you are in your element.  The interviewer can see it.  The office is filled with some positive energy and some excitement and enthusiasm is building for both of you.  More and more the feeling is the company has found their new employee.

Then the interviewer gives you your turn.  “Are there any questions you have for me?”  Now is your critical moment, your time to truly shine and show them your stuff and what do you say?  What is your FIRST question:

“Nope.  I have no questions.”  Bomb!

Or “Yes, how much vacation time do I get every year?”  Bomb!

Or “Now how long before I would see my first raise?”  Bomb!

Shake hands and leave now!  You blew it big time.  The rule of thumb is to always have a question or two prepared, more if you can.  The second rule of thumb is that the first questions asked are never about salary, benefits, vacation time, etc.  (in other words, the things you get).

Your first questions should always be showing two things:  First that you’ve taken the time to do a bit of homework on the company, and second that you have a strong interest in the position itself.  Accomplish these two before you ask about anything for yourself.

A good first question may be something like:  “I was recently reading in the New York Times that your company has just gone public and will begin trading on the NYSE in the near future, which I’m sure is very exciting for everyone, I’m curious if you know how that may affect your upcoming growth projections?”

To show your interest in the position, ask questions like why the position is available, or if this is a brand new position or an existing position.  Ask who your supervisor would be and/or who you will be supervising and how many people there are to supervise or in the department you will work in.  Ask about the type of work or assignments that are typically done in the department.  Ask about the company’s philosophy if it has not already been explained.  Ask about advancement in the company and any ongoing training requirements the company may have.  After you have satisfied yourself and the interviewer that you are there for the position, then it is ok to ask about salary, benefits, and so on.

Just keep in mind that you and the interviewer are looking to see that this is the job for you, this is the company you would like to be a member of because you like the company and what it is doing and you believe that you can contribute to its growth and expansion.  The interviewer understand that you are not going to work for free and that an important part of the process is the discussion of compensation, just do not allow it to become the main topic or the primary reason for the interview, and you will walk away with a strong potential to have that new position.

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Employer references have always been a key aspect of the job interview process.  People on both sides have valued what a past employer can say.  Yet more and more employers and employees are less and less willing to use this valuable resource.  Let’s take a look at what lies behind this changing trend.

More and more as time goes by, fewer and fewer employers are asking for references.  Although there are probably more reasons why this has happened, the two main reasons are listed below.

1.Sometimes people put down fake references.  Employers have discovered on more than one occasion that the references a person puts on their resume were people that they had never worked for, and are often just good friends who agreed to say some positive things about the individual they are inquiring about.  This, of course, is bad for the person who attempted such an action as truthfulness is an important part of any interview process.  Unfortunately the practice of a few has caused many employers to lend a skeptical eye to the whole area of references.

Taking a deeper look into why a person may feel he needs to “pad his references”, it normally stems from a fear or concern that his past employer will not give him a good reference and thus blow his chances of gaining a new position.  Sometimes this fear may be based on less than ideal reasons for leaving the past position, or sometimes it may be based on basic insecurities the individual may be having regarding the hiring process in general.

Although it is understandable that a person wants to have positive references for the potential employer, the better solution to this is to arrange with the past employer that he can be used as a reference, and agree to what the past employer will say.  If the person is not satisfied with the proposed reference statement, the person can choose not to use that individual as the reference, or he may request that only confirmation of employment be given.

2.Some past employers are worried that if they do not give a suitable reference it will come back to them in the form of a lawsuit. This concern started cropping up more and more in the 1990s.  For example, in 1998, The Buffalo Business Journal, published an article entitled, “Giving References Termed ‘Lawsuits Waiting to Happen’”.  The article discuses how the subject of references has actually become uncomfortable for employers and employees.

The employees are concerned about what the past employer may say about them that has negative connotations, and the employers are worried that references given, if not satisfactory with the past employees’ expectations may lead to lawsuits claiming defamation, retaliation, or even fraud.  This situation was being identified as the underlying cause for employers adopting more and more the policy to provide nothing thing more than confirmation of employment and dates of employment.

There are some companies however, that have resolved this issue by developing policy and procedure for the giving of references.  Examples of successful reference policies include providing only written references, only giving references in response to requests, and references only being provided by a limited number of people, such as the direct manager or the appropriate person in the Human Resources Dept.

There are now states, such as North Dakota that have enacted laws that grant immunity from civil lawsuits to employers who provide references.

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Sometimes the circumstances of your last employment may not have been entirely favorable.  Maybe there was a person in the office that you simply could not get along with.  Maybe your boss made you feel so nervous that when he was around your error rate dramatically increased.  Maybe you had a health issue that caused you to take more sick days than others.  Perhaps you were struggling with timeliness and tardiness.

None of the above areas are ideal for any employee.  There are times, however, when something in a person’s life encroaches upon their ability to perform their duties correctly, efficiently, and with the right attitude.  Normally, these are temporary circumstances, we have all had a bad a day.  Sometimes, they may even be more than one bad day, but in a week or two, perhaps even a month, they will pass and you will again become the positive, stable, and efficient employee that the company has come to rely upon.

However, there are occasions when situations in our personal lives can go on too long, and it is entirely possible that your employer finally felt that for the good of the company and the good of yourself, you should leave your position for awhile.  If you have a very benevolent employer he may offer you a temporary leave of absence, thus granting you the time you need to recoup.  If you do not, you may find yourself fired or laid off.

If you find yourself in the uncomfortable position of being out of work because your personal problem may have erupted for a bit too long – whether you chose to quit or you got laid off or fired–you may also find (especially if it was due to stress or strife in your personal life) that you felt the situation was unfair and perhaps you didn’t give or get the time you needed to resolve the circumstances.

It is a somewhat natural feeling for one.  The important thing is to keep this feeling to yourself while interviewing for a new position.  Speak to the positive of your past job, there must have been plenty of good things about the position and the people you worked with.

Take a look at some possible scenarios if you don’t:  The interviewer asks, “Why did you leave your last position?”  You answer all too truthfully and with too much information: “I was going through a divorce, which should be done in about another six months.  My husband kept calling me at work, attempting to reconcile, and it was causing a lot of interruption for myself and other staff.”

What does the manager hear in this?  a) you are still going through the divorce,  b) you cannot control or will not control the matter of personal calls during work hours c) whatever was happening disrupted not only you but others.

Although honesty is always a good quality, one must temper and use a bit of suavity when answering.  More appropriate to the all-too-often-asked question would be an answer such as:  “although I truly enjoyed my position and would have preferred to keep it, I had a lot of change going on in my life at that time, and the position just wasn’t going to allow me to continue to grow and expand with the changes that I was bringing about in other areas.

The manager asks, “Oh what kind of changes?”  Your answer, “One of the most important was that I was in the middle of relocating.  In the very near future, I wish to resume my education on a part time basis.  This answer is not false, usually in a divorce there is relocation, and typically the individual looks to create a better future.  It merely points out something other than your personal problem as the reason you are moving on.

On the flip side, if you were fired and you don’t openly admit to it, then that too will backfire on you.  Still the rule of thumb is an answer that shows graciousness and understanding:  “I was experiencing a difficult time in my life, and honestly, it was affecting my normal performance of my duties.  I’m very pleased to say that my boss and I have remained in good communication, and I have fully recovered from that time.”  No details, just a graceful answer.

In summary, always present the positive and graceful look of any situation to your potential employer.

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Getting an interview is difficult enough these days, and is nerve inducing time for anyone, especially those that are just starting out in a field or changing into one. Surviving that first interview can induce some real anxiety into potential job seekers, and for good reason. The first face to face meeting is very important for a job seeker, and you don’t get many chances to impress after that. This is especially true for positions where you will be challenged to answer technical queries or show off a portfolio. Doing well on the first interview is critical, and some anxiety will help to keep you sharp.

Allowing anxiety to take over, however, is not the reaction that you want to have when going for the first interview. Take a deep breath and try to calm down a little. Yes, the interview is worth thinking thoroughly about, but an excess of anxiety is not really going to help matters. Being thoroughly prepared for the interview is the best way to allay your own fears and overcome the accompanying anxiety. If you are well prepared, you will have the confidence of your own knowledge to lessen the fear.

More important than anything, however, is the attitude with which you approach an interview. Although technical knowledge of your field is critical, nothing can trump the importance of the perception that employers have of your personality. If an employer perceives that you may be a little lacking in knowledge, but have a very positive and responsible attitude, they will most likely overlook small gaps in knowledge and training.

On the other hand, if you attempt to oversell yourself by exaggerating claims and making false statements, your potential employer will pick up on this in an instant. This is a very negative perception that is sure to sink your chances quicker than anything else. A perception of dishonesty, even mildly seen, can destroy your chances of landing that new job. Although you want to represent the skills that you have, you should never try to pass yourself off as an expert when you are not. Even if false claims are discovered after you have been hired, the employer can still just as easily withdraw its offer of employment.

Talking about compensation and benefits upfront is another definite “no no”, no matter what field you are considering. If you talk about these points too early, an employer will think that you are presumptuous and perhaps even arrogant. These points will be covered later once an employer has decided that they are interested in hiring you.

It is also important, of course, to approach an interview with confidence. Although arrogance is not an attribute you want to show, confidence in your skills and knowledge should definitely be displayed.

Just as you do not want to misrepresent yourself by exaggerating skills and knowledge, you also do not want to sell yourself short. Be sure employers know all that you are capable of.

Once the interview has concluded, be sure to give your prospective employer a call back after three or four days. This can be a way of letting your potential employee know that you are really interested in the position. Although it is a good idea to stay in touch with an employer, neither should you over do this contact. A single phone call is a good way to remind employers of your interest, but multiple phone calls will annoy potential employers.

Approach every interview with enthusiasm. Research a little about the company you are applying to, so that an employer feels like you really have a strong desire to work there.

A behavioral based interview is one where the interviewer asks questions at getting you to provide examples of how you acted in a situation in the past. The interviewer asks theses types of questions because they want to find out how you resolved issues in the past. The point of the behavioral based interview is that is said that 55% of your past behavior is predictive of future job behavior. Although this may not be the case for everyone, interviewers feel they can get a good judgment based on this type of interview. One example of a behavioral based question would be:

“Give me a time where you had to lead a team into making a difficult decision? How did you get everyone to agree with the decision?”

The interviewer is trying to find out something about your leadership skills. What types of leadership qualities that you have, and how you handle a leadership role. Behavioral based interviews are very popular. Make sure that before your next interview that you practice answering some behavioral based questions.

I received an e-mail asking about a rare job interview.

Question: I am interviewing for a promotion within my company, but I don’t know how to prepare for this one. Some background information about this interview is that you must be selected to interview for the position. This interview takes place once every 4-5 years, and a position like this would increase my pay significantly. I really don’t know what to expect and how to prepare for this interview. Any suggestions for a rare job interview like this one?

Answer: This is always a scary moment in a person career. From company to company and interview process like this could be extremely different from one another. I actually found a great article on Business Week about the same topic. If you click on this link Preparing for a Tough Job Interview , it should give you some great advice.

Hope it Helps!