…and Turn a Call into a Career
From Alexander Graham Bell to analog to Apple and Android,we’ve come a long way in the evolution of the telephone. The size has changed; the wires have disappeared; the clarity has increased; just to name a few. But the basic concept remains the same as it did back in the 1800s: a phone is a conduit for communicating when you’re not face-to-face.
We can all relate to putting out feelers, then sitting back and waiting for the phone to ring. This is nerve-wracking and we unfortunately have no great pearls of wisdom for willing these unscheduled calls to happen. But nowadays, employers are increasingly relying on screening phone calls and once you schedule one, you must prepare to win them over…with your voice over.
1. The Heck with Down, Tone it UP
It’s common knowledge that only a small percentage of effective conversation is actually from the words exchanged. The larger percentage of “talking” is about the non-verbal nuances we share, like body language, facial expressions and tone of voice. But on a phone, we lose the ability to speak with our bodies and faces, so tone of voice becomes even more crucial. Enunciate and speak with confidence.
2. Say NO to Background NOise
It is necessary that you conduct the call somewhere quiet. This may seem obvious but with people using cell phones more and more, you may think you have a solid signal yet your partner in conversation knows otherwise. If at all possible, try to use a landline for a phone interview. If this just can’t be done, test out several different call locations ahead of time (call a friend to role play the interviewer) and pick the clearest spot. Never do the interview somewhere public, or driving in your car, or on a subway/bus, or in a room with other people who are talking, etc. Steer clear of any possible ambient noises and/or distractions.
3. Because you’re Remote…Emote, Emote, Emote!
The best salespeople have mastered the art of closing the deal on the phone. So take a page out of their book and borrow some of the classic techniques for your phone interview: stand up and smile. Standing improves the projection of your voice. Walking around a bit can also help with this, just be careful not to move so much that your voice fluctuates. And just like we’re told to always greet people with a smile because it starts things off on a positive note, the same can be said for a phone call. Your chatting companion may not be able to physically see your pearly whites, but you will sound and feel more upbeat…and that will come through loud and clear.
Thanks to webcams and apps like Facetime and Tango, we’re heading in a visual direction. But until video calling is the accepted norm in the workplace and the job search, the phone interview is sticking around. And although you should never “phone it in” once you get the job, following these tips to get to the next step will always be a great call.