The Essential Phone Interview Handbook

by Paul J. Bailo

Overview

Today more than ever, job candidates make initial contact with prospective employers via the telephone. Phone interviews are often the most unexpected facet of job interviewing, yet they are fast becoming the standard for employers when narrowing the pool of applicants and determining who will be invited for in-person interviews.

The Essential Phone Interview Handbook covers:

How to prepare, what to say, and when to say it

How to establish your professional presence over the phone

How to get to the next step

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781601631541
Publisher:	Red Wheel/Weiser
Publication date:	06/15/2011
Series:	Essential Handbook
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	5.25(w) x 8.25(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Paul J. Bailo, MBA, MSW, is the founder and CEO of Phone Interview Pro, a service for job seekers who want to perfect their telephone job interviewing skills. After recognizing that the importance of the phone interview is often overlooked, Bailo prompted Phone Interview Pro to create a 250-plus point phone evaluation, previously nonexistent in the career services industry.

Table of Contents

Introduction 11

How Did Phone Interview Pro Begin? 12

What Is a Phone Interview? 13

Five Key Elements of a Successful Phone Interview 14

A Phone Interview Is Like a Date 15

The Phone Interview Is a Dance 17

Talk Radio 18

Join Toastmasters International 21

Get Ready 22

Chapter 1 Control Your Surroundings 25

Home-Field Advantage 25

Ready Your Space 28

Remove All Background Noise 30

They May Not Be Able to See You, But They Can Hear You 33

What to Do if There Is Noise in the Background 35

Chapter 2 Tools for Success 39

Use a Landline 39

Disable Call Waiting 43

Headset Vs. Handset 44

Caller ID 46

Chapter 3 Warm-Up 49

Research the Company 49

Research Your Interviewer 53

What Time Is It? 55

Read the Newspaper 57

Open-Book Test 59

Call the Day Before 61

Group Phone Interviews 63

Chapter 4 Ready Yourself 65

Give Yourself Plenty of Time 66

Be Well-Rested 68

Eat Something 70

Nature Rules 71

Voice 72

Ums and Ahhs 81

Set the Tone and Pace of the Interview 83

Dress Up Like You Would Face-to-Face 86

Chapter 5 Make an Impression 89

Wait a Beat 89

Start With Hello 92

Phone Interview Handshake 94

Conversation 97

Attitude Is Key 99

Etiquette 102

Be Earnest 103

Be Humble 105

Laughter 106

Stay Focused-Don't Multitask 108

Talk to a Photograph 109

Keep Track of Time 112

The 15-Minute Rule 116

Take Notes 119

Relax and Have Fun! 121

Chapter 6 World-Class Phone Interview in Action 123

It's in Your Control 123

Listen Carefully 125

Don't Interrupt! 127

There Is No Need to Rush 129

Say Your Name 132

Say the Person's Name 134

Use Vivid Words 135

Get to the Point 137

Say How You Feel 140

Ask Knockout Questions 142

Solving, Not Selling 144

Make Money, Save Money 147

What Not to Say on Your Phone Interview 148

Don't Be Desperate 151

You Are in Demand 152

Chapter 7 The Final Steps to Success 157

Thank You! 157

I Want the Job 164

What if I Don't Want the Job? 167

The Follow-Up Timeline 169

Analysis of Your Phone Interview 170

Don't Dwell on the Past 173

You Will Get a Job! 175

Index 177

About the Author 183

Editorial Reviews

"The Essential Phone Interview Handbook is a unique and powerful tool that will teach you the necessary phone skills to impress any potential employer and ace your way into the job you want." 

Ron Fry

"Phone interviews are tricky. Before you agree to your next one, read this book!"

Anne Fisher

"A must-read for anyone preparing for their next phone interview. Full of insights and helpful hints."

Julie Jansen

"Phone interviews are tricky. Before you agree to your next one, read this book!"
--Anne Fisher, "Ask Annie" career/workplace columnist, CNNmoney.com

"The Essential Phone Interview Handbook is a unique and powerful tool that will teach you the necessary phone skills to impress any potential employer and ace your way into the job you want."
--Ron Fry, best-selling author of 101 Great Answers to the Toughest Interview Questions

"A must-read for anyone preparing for their next phone interview. Full of insights and helpful hints."
--Julie Jansen, author of I Don't Know What I Want, But I Know It's Not This

Reviews

"Phone interviews are tricky. Before you agree to your next one, read this book!"
--Anne Fisher, "Ask Annie" career/workplace columnist, CNNmoney.com

"The Essential Phone Interview Handbook is a unique and powerful tool that will teach you the necessary phone skills to impress any potential employer and ace your way into the job you want."
--Ron Fry, best-selling author of 101 Great Answers to the Toughest Interview Questions

"A must-read for anyone preparing for their next phone interview. Full of insights and helpful hints."
--Julie Jansen, author of I Don't Know What I Want, But I Know It's Not This

From the Publisher