As a candidate, have you ever wondered why a recruiter called you to discuss your application, then you did not hear from them again until a month later when that communication came in the form of an email saying, "Thanks, but no thanks"? It happens more often than you think, and across all levels.
Why is that? “What did I do wrong?” you might ask yourself.
Phone screens are in almost all recruiting processes across all industries. It gives the recruiter the opportunity to confirm work experience and education, as well as get to know the candidate and understand their expectations. It also affords the candidate a few opportunities as well: a better understanding of the job they applied to, the company culture, what type of candidate the hiring managers are looking for and what makes someone successful in that role. But just because you had a good conversation does not mean you automatically get invited for a face-to-face interview. Recruiters are talking to hundreds of people each week via phone, email, social sites, etc. They typically only have room to invite three to five candidates for face-to-face interview opportunities. How do you stand out in the crowd to get that invite?
If you are just another candidate on the phone, then you're just another candidate on the phone. On that phone screen, aim to make a new friend. People like their friends, and people like to help their friends. If you are anything like me, you might be thinking about how hard it is to make new friends. But when you look at it as a series of steps or practices, it is easier than you might think.
1. Be genuine. You can achieve this by just being yourself. “But what if I am nervous or anxious?” you might ask. Identify that feeling. Every recruiter knows that finding a new job can be scary and stressful. If you find yourself having a hard time speaking or thinking of an answer, then tell your recruiter. Say something like, “Geez, I can’t talk today! Guess I’m a little more nervous than I thought.” Honestly, as a recruiter, I’d rather you get your nerves out while talking to me than the hiring manager.
2. Ask about them. Yes, we humans enjoy talking about ourselves. Some of the frequently asked questions include, “What do you enjoy about working at ABC Company?” or “How long have you worked for XYZ Company?” Interviewing is a two-way street, so speak up.
3. Ask interesting questions. "What challenges have you faced in your time there?" "Is there anything that the company doesn’t do that you wish they would?" Questions like these show your interviewer that you are genuinely interested and have taken the time to prepare. One way to find interesting questions to ask is to check out the company website and read the "About" section. If you read it carefully, I imagine you’ll find at least two to three interesting conversation starters. If you ask the same questions the other hundred candidates asked, you risk sending your recruiter into robot mode.
Remember, it is always a two-way phone screen. You are interviewing the company as much as it is interviewing you. Maybe during the call you discover the job or company isn’t quite what you thought it would be— or maybe it is.
Trust the process. Let the recruiter do what they do. They are there for a reason, and it is usually because they are good at what they do.
Improving Your Phone Presence
Yes, there is always room for improvement — in all things, for all people. Next time you have a phone screen coming up, prepare your questions and yourself. Follow these three strategies to elevate your approach:
1. Read the job description again, and get to know the job you are interested in. Do not assume you know what the job is based on the title. This is a common mistake candidates make. They assume based on the job title they know what the job entails. At my company, we use the same title in many different departments, and each position comes with different responsibilities. So, read the job description a couple more times to make sure you know what you are interviewing for.
2. Read the "About" section on the company’s website to understand what it does from the company's perspective. Another great tool to utilize is Glassdoor for reading company reviews. I also make a habit of searching for and reading news stories published about the company. And, since we live in a world dominated by social media, most companies have social media accounts, so check them out for extra insight into the company and its culture.
3. Be calm and collected when starting the phone screen. Don’t jump on a call after walking up 10 flights of stairs (yes, I have had candidates do that right before phone screens with me, and let me assure you, it’s difficult to have a productive conversation when one person is breathing like they just ran a marathon). Find a quiet place that is free of distractions. Get there early, and take a few quiet minutes to review your notes.
Phone screens are an important component for the company and the candidate. They give the company an opportunity to learn more about the candidate and verify experience, skills and professional goals. They also give the candidates the opportunity to learn more about the company and position to ensure that this is the company they want to invest their time in. Preparing smartly for your phone screen can drastically change your outcome.
