In a previous post, The Right Way to Write Your Cover Letter, we compared your resume to a ticket to an exclusive party. But now that a prospective employer has agreed to interview you, this party just became more exclusive.
Most NNP job interviews actually consist of two interviews: An initial phone interview, and assuming that goes well an all-day, on-site interview.
If I asked you if you prefer a telephone or face to face interview, I imagine your answer would immediately be “telephone interview”. Would I be right? Contrary to popular belief, a phone interview isn’t always the easier of the two.
Initial phone interviews are becoming more and more frequent because it helps employers sift down an abundance of applications in an increasingly tough economy. Here are a few things you need to know to ace a phone interview as a nurse practitioner.
Dress up — even though they can’t see you
We all know that old saying, “first impressions count”, and this couldn’t be truer when it comes to an interview.
The most obvious difference between a telephone and a face-to-face interview is your appearance. At an on-site interview, you must pay more attention to your appearance…it can be a part of the scoring process.
In a telephone interview, polishing your shoes and having your best conservative tailored suit dry cleaned is one less thing to worry about, right?
Actually, NO! This is often where candidates falter at the first hurdle. Even though employers can’t see you, putting on clothes that make you feel confident and polished will impact your attitude and voice on the phone. I don’t mean you must dress up in your best suit, but please, skip the pajamas.
Control your environment
An on-site interview is by default a controlled situation.
A telephone interview leaves you with the task of controlling your environment.
Account for possible distractions before you take that all-important call. And, if you are using a cell phone, make sure your phone is fully charged and you are in a location with good reception.
Children shouting in the background or the dog barking as the postman delivers your mail are interruptions that will interrupt of the flow of your conversation and come across as unprofessional.
Unfortunately, most candidates chronically under prepare for their phone interviews. If you decide you’re not going to be one of them, you’re already ahead of the game.
Prepare notes ahead of time
A telephone interview is like a test you get to bring a cheat sheet to. Take notes on the facility, staff, and most importantly — your interviewer, prepare answers to interview questions, and have your resume in front of you.
Write down anything noteworthy that comes to mind during the call to remind you to sell yourself to the best of your ability. A face-to-face interview is your goal during this conversation. Even if you’re not 100% sure about this job, show up like you are. It’s always better to make it to the offer stage and turn one down than not to receive any offers at all.
Body language matters in a phone interview
Body language is just as important during a phone interview as it is in person.
You can easily display confidence through making eye contact, appropriate posture and appropriate use of handshakes to help build a rapport in person. You can also do it over the phone.
If your posture during the call is one of being slumped over a chair, you are likelier to come across as disinterested and unenthused. Instead, stand up with your back straight and head held high. Your demeanor will immediately change and impact your tone of voice, projecting professionalism and confidence.
Also, smile. Smiling can ease nervousness, and the person on the other end of the phone will notice a difference.
Warm up your voice
We actually tell our candidates to record themselves play back the recordings to get a feel for the best pace, tone, confidence, and authority.
In the past, candidates could breeze through a phone interview in a matter of minutes, requiring little preparation time.
Now, employers say the stakes of the phone interview have been raised — you may find yourself in two, three, or even four phone interviews! They’re attracting more candidates who meet their requirements which means spending more time cherry-picking one or two they feel are the best fit.
Takeaway: A phone interview is just as important as an on-site interview. Without it, you won’t get one! Prepare ahead of time, just as thoroughly as you would for an in-person interview. If you do, you’ll be in the top 20% of candidates who do.
Do you have questions or phone interview tips of your own? Share them in the comments below!
