The COVID-19 outbreak has us all camped up inside our homes, stocking up on groceries, avoiding human contact. Since it’s been declared a pandemic, it is causing mass hysteria and panic all over the world. The frenzy is real and this human tragedy has affected the global economy and small businesses the most. Trade and business are taking huge hits to accommodate this outbreak.
A virtual time
This pandemic-driven sink is also making its reprehensible impact on the recruitment process and the work environment. Companies are now turning to a complete work-from-home model where everything is dealt with virtually. Even big tech firms like FB, Amazon, and Google have switched to a remote-working policy to ensure staff safety and to control the spread of the virus.
Naturally, the hiring process has also switched to a virtual one – recruiters are now using telephonic and video conferencing based to hire people.
This mode is new for most people. Hiring isn’t going to stop so the best thing to do is to prepare really really well for this new interview channel. Here are 7 ways you can do that.
7 steps to mastering telephonic interviews
You can repeat the process for as many interviews as you want.
Ensure privacy
Maintaining a professional demeanor is essential to cracking the interview process. One of the most important (yet tough) ways to achieve the same is to avoid any and all disturbances while you are on call. Your recruiter can dismiss ringing bells, but will most likely not tolerate parallel or background talks.
So, all you need to do is prepare well in advance for complete privacy and you are good to go. Make sure you have a space you can use for the interview and remember, landlines are always better than mobile networks – use the former for better connectivity!
Keep your resume ready
Recruiters are infamous for taking already anxious interviewees by surprise. The last thing you want is to be jumped into answering questions about your pre-existent professional career, and not knowing where to start! Under stress, it is also easy to skip important parts that may be crucial to your selection process.
To avoid this tragedy, it would prove to be beneficial to have your resume handy. Your resume is your armor and a reminder of your brilliance!
Open the conversation (and maintain it too!)
Nothing screams good professionalism more than someone who can take the lead when offered the chance. Open the conversation, ask questions, keep the talk alive and most importantly, be straightforward and honest (even when you’re struggling with crippling anxiety inside.)
Since it is a telephonic interview, all your attempts matter – do not leave anything for a potential video or an in-person interview. Some points to keep in mind as the conversation proceeds:
- Sarcasm is frowned upon.
- Try to avoid humor as much as you can.
- Listen attentively and reflect when you get the chance.
- Don’t bore them with non-descriptive answers (I don’t know is NOT good enough.)
- Definitely do not interrupt. Please.
Eyes on the clock
Most interviews are scheduled for an hour to an hour and a half. So, you want to use this time to its fullest potential.
One of the best ways to do this is to make a list of the most anticipated questions and note down the most crucial pointers for them. These will be the points that you definitely want to cover and convey during the interview.
The clock will be ticking. So, having a bullet point structure for your answers will ensure that you left the strongest impression in the time that was available.
Be inquisitive and certain
Two qualities that appear to be paradoxical when put together. But, being inquisitive and certain add bonus points to your interview process. Assuming you have done your research beforehand – ask questions about their company policies, receive clarity on the process, the job role, how your professional future might look with them, etc.
Back this up with certainty in terms of what you can deliver and how you can contribute to the company culture. This combination of inquisitiveness and certainty will cast an open-minded and proactive impression of you.
Request a video call
If you feel your interview going in the direction you had anticipated, it may be a good idea to propose a video call. Not only does it cast a positive impression of you, but it also helps to solidify the budding association. Body language and responses are key identifiers of a good candidate and if you can hack that during the video call, more than half your work is done.
Focus on the positives and leverage them
This is probably the biggest takeaway from any phone conversation that is work-related. We know how stressful and intimidating interviews can get, especially when you have 5 people staring at you and assessing your every move.
With a telephonic conversation, however, you could be making faces while looking at yourself in the mirror, referring to your notes, or even walk around in your boxers! Remember to have a glass of water handy to revive your dried throat. Pace the room if you need to expend nervous energy even while talking.
This is heaven for freshers who are nervous – you do not need to obsess over your outfit or set out 2 hours before the interview to reach the office on time. You only need the power of your voice and some thorough preparation.
We hope that these 7 steps will help to secure the job you are aiming for. Remember to end on a hopeful and high note with your recruiter. We believe that this COVID outbreak might just be the setting you need to get that job you are aiming for. Good luck!