Interview phone manners
Congratulations to web radio show Career Communique after it recently celebrated its first anniversary.
The show broadcasts via the web each Monday at 9am AEST. It is co-hosted by career coaches and Annemarie Cross Keith Keller. The Aussie duo started the show to empower people in the economic downturn.
They do it for the love of it from their respective homes in the ‘burbs but have people listening in more than 50 countries.
I join the Annemarie and Keith show once a month to discuss a particular job-hunting topic and pass on some tips about phone interviews based on our last on-air chat.
First, ask the hiring manager or recruitment consultant if they have a preference for the phone interview to take place via your landline or mobile. Keith and Annemarie recommend disabling call waiting if the interviewer wants to speak on your landline.
Annemarie also recommends turning off your mobile or even leaving it outside the room you will use for the job interview.
I agree. Any distraction creates a bad impression. Your mobile phone ringing or beeping to announce messages is distracting even if you do not commit the ultimate faux pas of answering it.
Employers and recruiters have complained to me about people checking their mobile for messages during a face-to-face job interview.
Actually, I would advise observing the same phone etiquette in all your dealings with employers and recruiters.
Don’t take call waiting or a mobile call if you are on a landline. There was a time when we all existed happily without mobiles so it can be done for a few minutes. Give your full attention to the person you are speaking to at all times.
Also think through if providing your mobile number on your answering machine message or your resume is the best option. If you are unable to take personal phone calls at work easily then don’t give your mobile number, as this could end up causing you embarrassment.
We have a full list of tips for phone interviews on the Careerone website in the Interview sections. Just click News & Advice.
To catch Keith and Annemarie or to download past shows to your iPod, iPhone and mp3 player. Just go to www.careercommuniqueradio.com.
