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6 Ways to Blow Your Next Phone Screen

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As one of Tempe’s leading employment agencies, PrideStaff knows that in today’s world, most employers require a phone screen before bringing you in for an interview. So how you can you go about making the best impression possible? Start by avoiding these common mistakes:

Being too casual.

Your phone screen is just as important as your in-person interview. If you don’t ace it, then you’re not going to move forward in the hiring process. So approach it seriously by ensuring you properly prepare ahead of time, just as you would if you were going into their office.

Not scheduling it at a good time.

When it comes to scheduling your phone interview, make sure it’s at a time when there won’t be distractions. A phone interview at 3 pm when your kids are just getting home from school isn’t ideal. Instead, make sure you set it up for a time that you’re going to be able to totally focus on the call and the hiring manager’s questions.

Thinking you won’t get asked hard-hitting questions.

When it comes to phone screens, anything goes. The hiring manager might keep their questions basic. Or they could dig deeper and ask you about your salary expectations and why they should hire you. So don’t assume anything when it comes to a phone screen; many times, they’re as rigorous as in-person interviews.

Pay attention to your tone of voice.

The hiring manager can’t read your body language. But they can hear your tone of voice. So it’s important to come off as confident and enthusiastic. If instead, your voice sounds bored, the hiring manager will wonder just how interested you are in the job.

Talking on the road.

You’re busy and want to multi-task. At the same time, it’s important to ensure that you don’t schedule your phone interview while you’re driving or trying to get other tasks done. First off, your connection won’t be totally reliable. Secondly, you won’t really be able to focus on the hiring manager’s questions, which will negatively impact your responses.

Not knowing the basics.

When it comes to your phone interview, hiring managers expect you to have done some homework ahead of time. So if you ask questions that are too basic, like “what is this job about?” or “what does the company do?,” hiring managers are going to assume you aren’t well prepared for the interview.

The bottom line? Just as you would with a face-to-face interview, make sure you treat a phone interview seriously and properly prepare ahead of time, all so you can perform your best.

Need more help finding out about job openings and companies hiring?

Call in the experts at PrideStaff. As one of Tempe’s leading employment agencies, we work with some of the top organizations in the area and can connect you with rewarding opportunities in a variety of fields. Contact PrideStaff today to learn more about how we can help you.

 

 

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