Tips And Suggestions For A Successful Phone Interview

In today's recruiting world with the advents of modern technology and mobile devices contact between interviewers and interviewees is easier than ever.  Lately I have been participating in many phone interviews - some have been fantastic, some could have gone better.  In the interest of paying it forward and educating those who are in this process here are some advices that will (hopefully) serve you well going forward.

Create a professional e-mail address
Have you ever received a communique from an organization where the address is "baseballfan437@company.com" or "ILUVBIEBER_999@organization.org"?  Neither have I.  However I daily receive resumes where these informal e-mail addresses are featured prominently on the top of professional resumes and right off the bat it leaves a questionable opinion about the individual.  First impressions are critical and your e-mail address should be comparable to that or the company you are applying for.

Be truly available - not just there - at the time of the call
When I schedule a phone interview I first touch base with the candidate and schedule a time with them within the next 24-48 hours.  There have been situations where I have been speaking with the individual and they were driving a car, with friends, outside with the wind blowing, etc.  When the interview is set ensure that you have the time to speak with the interviewer (I'd recommend leaving a full hour, if possible) in a quiet setting without interruptions.  If the the company is making time for you, make time for them.

Move the call to a land-line
Nearly everybody has a cell phone which is great for initial contact and quick calls but it is certainly not the best medium for an extended call.  Additionally mobile devices are more susceptible to reception issues, battery life, technical difficulties - not to mention that the interviewer will more than likely be using a land line themselves.  A hard wire phone will allow you to have a much more reliable, clear and strong connection - not to mention will help you to stand out amongst those speaking via cell!  Additionally a cellular phone can be used as a backup plan which is always good to have in your pocket (no pun intended).  I highly recommend that, when scheduling a phone interview, offer an alternate contact number to their interviewer to speak to you using a land line phone.  They will be more than happy to oblige.

Keep your answers succinct
It is human nature to be distracted easily (and despite my best attempts - full disclosure - I have succumb from time to time).  When the interviewee is not actually present and the interviewer is in their office with e-mails on their computer paperwork piling up on their desk minds can sometimes wander.  Your best course of action?  Keep your answers between 1-2 minutes - enough to provide ample detail but short enough to keep the interviewers interest and keep the process moving through the questions.

Be fully prepared
A good interviewer will provide you with background information before, such as the company's website, a full job description, the names of those you will be meeting, etc - use it!  I have been frustrated when I take the time to speak to somebody and they have not read or reviewed the details prior to a scheduled interview.  Additionally if the company has given you materials to review having them in front of you (as well as your cover letter, resume, etc) is highly encouraged.

Ask questions 
Phone interviews should be a two-way street - the company wants to find out more about you and you as a candidate should be asking questions about the job, the team, challenges, opportunities, etc.  I am always impressed by candidates who ask poignant questions as it shows the candidate has a professional curiosity, is really keen for the role, has done their homework and respects the time of all involved.

and my most critical suggestion...

Realize that moving forward the interviewer and yourself are now intertwined
What do I mean by that?  Typically if an individual performs well on an interview the next step is to bring them in person to the facility.  The interviewer now has an increased stake in the game as the candidates that they select to move to the subsequent rounds reflect on them as a professional.  As a recruiter if I am not impressed by somebody I have a very hard time introducing them to my colleagues and my boss as the caliber of the individuals I find reflects directly on me.

What does that mean for you?  Make the interviewer want to present you to their colleagues.  When speaking on the phone sound excited and energetic!  Demonstrate your professionalism and show how you're the right selection for the job.  Be somebody who YOU would want to bring in. If you keep that in mind (and the rest of the above) during your next phone interview you will be one step closer to landing that job you've always wanted

Kevin
@kcoynehr

Reactions to Citrix's "Work Anywhere" Workplace

Last Thursday evening with the South Florida Organizational Development Network (SFLODN) I had the opportunity to visit Citrix in Ft. Lauderdale and see their new "work anywhere" concept.  In a nutshell Citrix has taken part of the buildings and instead of having the traditional cubicles and corner office physical structures based off of position and hierarchy they have instead created a system of neighborhoods engineered to foster collaboration,  team work and cater to the needs of each individual based off what they are doing at that specific time.  Here is some more information via @SunSentinel here http://bit.ly/L306iy

A workplace that mirrors it's occupants

As technology evolves further and further, I saw a cardinal axiom of work is changing as well.  The phrase "What have you done for me lately" is morphing into "What can you do for me now?"  The instantaneous flow of free information has adjusted what we expect from our team members; nowadays it's not what you know, as information is easily and rapidly disseminated anywhere in real-time, but rather what are you doing with what you know.

I feel that Citrix has taken a step forward bearing this in mind.  By requiring it's employees to release themselves of books, binders and other physical tangible objects the company is requiring multiple progressive principles to be adopted by their teams.  First, all employees are required to understand and adapt themselves with current technologies.  Without them they cannot do their work and this necessitates their team members to be current and prepared.  Secondly, and perhaps on a more unconscious level, it creates compliance with the mentality described above, that all employees need to be ready at anytime, anywhere and, using modern technology, to be able to deliver in the limelight right now.

"It's all a case of history repeating"

As I heard more about this concept I thought of how human beings were eons ago and how our bodies fit that situation.  We as people are designed to move, roam and graze, dating back to the epochs of our former hunter-gather society.  Humans were not designed to have a sedentary lifestyle (which also attributes to the obesity dilemma our world now faces as well).  Instead of traversing against the grain and forcing it's employees into static workspaces Citrix, in my view, has adopted this mobile mentality forged over thousands of years.  In a unique case of "if you can't beat 'em' join 'em," Citrix has opted to incorporate the design of our minds and bodies into where they work.  The results?  While they may be unclear and subjective to the opinions of each user the fact that this is more aligned with how we are as a species looks promising.

Will it work for our company?

This is a question that was on my mind and also many of the other participants as well.  To be honest - I don't know for sure.  Citrix is a fast moving, creative technology company and their company goals and the products they develop align well with this workplace strategy.  For other types of organizations it may not be such a good fit.  That would be a discussion for you and senior management to have.  I also advocate employee engagement to gauge their response; see how your teams feel about such a radical change.  Also if you can visit Citrix to see it yourself that is highly recommended as well.  Maybe not going to the full degree of change but adapting some best practices may help you glean portions that would have the most beneficial impacts for your organization.

To close, it is an experiment and I appreciate the good people at Citrix for allowing our group to visit and learn about their facilities.  I admire their forward thinking and will keep an eye out to see what is next.  As always, thoughts and comments are welcomed and appreciated!

Kevin