COVID19 has brought significant changes to our day-to-day life. As we waited for our way through, it was apparent that either we reshape everything that we have learned till now and progress forward or we lose the race. And as you are reading this, I know you are now among the ones who chose to lose, you are a winner, and this is to help you win better.
Wake Up, the World is Still Spinning!
Answer to yourself, how you have spent the first 3 months of the pandemic? What actions have you taken for your career development? To ensure that by the coming days, you will be more fit than you ever were before? Even the fastest runner on a race track needs to follow constant practicing to further hold the place. It is always harder to maintain than to achieve.
Did You Get Ready Yet?
One of the many changes that we have adapted to is being able to operate remotely. The era of digitalization was initiated with the goal of crafting a global village, by breaking national barriers. This has gone as far as breaking the organizational barriers and crafting workstations alongside our bedrooms. Do you have what it takes to stand the new fit? The “NEW NORMAL?” Yes, obviously you are because you are here and you already got your phone call. But wait, it’s a phone interview!
It’s a Phone Interview!
Don’t panic, you already have taught yourself to adapt to changes. All you now need to do is to prepare a checklist and practice it as you go through it. Lucky for you, almost all of the standard rules from in-person interviews are still applicable. Our guide is going to be the icing on top of your delicious cake yo make it more beautiful:
Phone Interview Tips
- It is as serious as a F2F interview: Just because you are on the phone, do not take it lightly. In fact, as you are at it, invest more focus into it than your regular ones, because the interviewer is going to do his/her best to take a deep look into you.
- Focus! Focus!! Focus!!!: Do whatever you need to for keeping your cool, no distractions. Remember, the first 30 seconds of the phone call is going to determine whether it is a go or not. Do your research, keep your facts and your presentations packed, and be focused.
- Active Listening is the Key: Just because it is a phone interview, does not mean you have to pull all the floor toward you at any cost. Listen first, process what you are listening to, and prepare your response based on what you researched earlier. Then deliver that to the other party smoothly. It is important to keep your cool and not mistakenly prove that you lack professionalism.
- Send a Thank You Note: The first phone call might not work out for you. But that does not mean this phone call will be the last from these guys. Send a thank you note extending your gratitude for the employer in taking his/her time with you. If till now, you were able to maintain all the checklists properly, chances are that they are going to remember you even if this offer does not work out for you. There might be a new opening in the coming days that they might think you are fit in, you will be the first one for a call on that.
- Direct them to your Portfolio: Since the only interaction between you and the employer is a phone call, and maybe a CV that you earlier posted, contain a link that will redirect the employer to your work. You may not be very good at convincing with words, convince them rather with your work.
So you have done it, a successful phone interview. Now you are one step ahead with your career development. Do stay with YSSE Blog to find out more hands-on guidance to your career and betterment. See you at the next one!
Sofian Al Mahmood Khan
Intern, HR & Admin
Youth School for Social Entrepreneurs.
