How to handle a telephonic interview?

Dos

• Be articulate

• While writing email or holding a conversation, address the interviewer using his/her first name or put Mr. before his last name

• Practice answering questions in front of a mirror.

• Listen carefully to the interviewer's questions. Understand the question and start your answer by recollecting your experiences and knowledge. 

• While beginning a conversation, introduce yourself with your first name and last name and greet your interviewer.

• Keep your answers brief and to the point.

• Keep a copy of your résumé in front of you. 

• Refer to your resume quickly and answer any question about individual project details, your roles, responsibilities, major accomplishments, product advantages, techniques followed, tools used, etc.

• Gather as much information as you can about the company and position you have applied for.

• Answer all questions with practical examples based on your own previous experience and challenging work situations.

• If the interviewer makes a positive offer and you are satisfied with it, it would be nice if you say the following: "Thanks for giving me an opportunity to work with your company and I will do my best to prove my skills... "

• Provide at least 3 excellent references who can give the employer a clear picture about your experience and skill sets.

• At the end of the interview, if the interviewer encourages you to ask questions, clarify issues related to company background, place of work if hired, starting date and timings.

• After the interview is over, recollect how you performed and jot down your weaknesses. It will help you improve your performance the next time round. 

Don'ts

• Don’t talk non-stop. Control the speed of your speech.

• Don’t talk too fast

• Never slam the phone after the interview is over

• If you don’t know the answer or have not used a particular method or tool, don’t pretend to know everything. Just admit the truth but quickly mention that you are a quick learner if given an opportunity. This kind of response will project you in a positive light.

• Don’t take more than 30 seconds to introduce your work experience major points, client names and contributions you have made. Write down the exact contents and practice reading it aloud in front of the mirror.

• Don’t take more than 30 seconds to introduce your work experience major points, client names and contributions you have made. Write down the exact contents and practice reading it aloud in front of the mirror.

• End the conversation with "Thanks for your time" or "Thanks for your time and have a good morning/evening/day".