New Grad Interview Success
Tip 1: First Phone Call
by Chris Fogarty
Wow! them on the first phone call.
Your interview starts here. You are a person of interest, and this first phone call is what is referred to as a ‘screening’ call. This call is to determine whether or not what they see on your resume or in your online portfolio or what they’ve heard about you is real. This is your chance to make a great first impression, one that will carry through the live interview. Be prepared to expand on what’s in your resume and to answer questions such as ‘why are you interested in working here’.
Make sure that you have yourself organized and have information about the particular company and copy of the actual documents you sent to them at your fingertips. It can be useful to set up a file for each company that you apply with; this way you’ll have your information plus the research you’ve done on the company available at a moment’s notice. And if this call is to schedule the live interview, have your own list of questions about logistics, who you’ll be meeting with, and what to expect.
Make sure that you use a tone of voice on the call that has energy in it. If you’re not on a video call, it can be helpful to stand up and move around while you talk, use your hands when you’re expressing something and smile – all of these physical elements will bring a variety of sounds to your voice that help give the caller a positive visual of you even though they cannot see you.
For more great help on interview success – download FiredUP Interviewing – New Grad Edition (you’ll be glad you did…good luck!).
