College Students Can Get Hired Through Phone Interviews

Doing job interviews over the phone has become an extremely important recruiting tool as managers try to lower hiring costs. College students who perform poorly in the phone interview will severely limit the chance of an on-site job interview.

Students, who manage the distractions, have good phone manners and keep the job search strategy in mind, increase their chances of success in the telephone interview.

Manage Distractions - Find Quiet Spots

• A noisy dining hall creates distractions not only for the college student, but also for the recruiter who is trying to hear answers. Most career centers are more than happy to accommodate students in quiet on-campus interview rooms.

• Cell phone etiquette is an important consideration when scheduling phone interviews while in class or at work. Recruiters are usually very receptive to re-scheduling telephone interview sessions at the student's convenience.

• If using a cell phone, find a place where signal strength is strong and stay there until the telephone call is completed. Tell the recruiter if you fear losing signals and get a telephone number to call back if disconnected. The career center is one location on campus to find reliable land lines in a quiet place to do a telephone interview.

Phone Manners:

• College students should remember to speak clearly and watch tone and energy level in the phone interview. Seasoned recruiters and hiring managers know when candidates have low energy or are distracted over the phone. Since the recruiter cannot see the candidate during the phone job interview, a positive tone is a big part of making a good first impression.
• Stay professional and polite in the phone interview. If on a speaker phone, take note of everyone who is introduced and acknowledge everyone listening, just as you would for an onsite jnterview.
• Watch slang use during telephone interviews. Every word used is important to the recruiter who is listening intently. Hiring managers are not just interested in a high energy tone; they also take notes on good or weak verbal communication skills.
• Listen carefully. In the absence of body language it is very important to listen carefully and answer clearly.
• Smile. A pleasant persona will actually come across during the telephone interview.

Keep Job Search Strategy in mind:

• Remember, the phone screening is still a job interview and job seekers should not forget to ask questions. Ask for a face-to-face job interview or a site visit.
• At the end of the initial telephone interview, college students should be clear about the next steps and restate their interest in moving to the next step.
• College students should avoid asking questions about the company or the job that can be answered with a quick visit to the company website.