Phone Interview Checklist

Before:

1. Turn off cell phone, computer, radio...etc.
2. If your computer is on, turn off screen and turn down the sound.
3. Have a copy of your resume in front of you.
4. Have 2 pens that work.
5. Prepare questions on a piece of paper.
6. Put pet in a separate room, or be sure that they do not make any audible noise that can come across over the phone.
7. Be sure family members and/or roommates know that you will be on an important phone call.
8. Be sure that you are the one that answers the phone.
9. Be prepared to be flexible. If the interviewer calls late, reschedules, cancels...be patient. Since this is via phone, on-site issues generally take precedent.
10. Have a copy of the job description and highlight your qualifications on your resume.
11. Have answers to tough questions planned out in advance. Most people have a sensitive spot in their resume. Maybe you were never officially NT certified, or you're currently unemployed, or you don't have the kind of degree most colleagues do. Maybe it's those two years you spent trekking in Bali, or the summer you hopped between four different companies. You know where the soft spot is. Some of the toughest questions will be about the soft spot. The secret to answering these tough questions is preparation and conviction. Develop a short, truthful message you can stand behind. Take a negative and turn it in to a positive. Practice your answer until you can deliver it with confidence and conviction. If you hedge or ramble on a tough question, and interviewer is sure to pick up on it - consciously or subconsciously - and dig deeper. See the article on tough questions for hints on specific questions.
12. Know the problem and show you're the solution. Hiring managers are looking for someone who will solve a problem for them, whether it's filling a gap in a specific team or department or literally fixing a problem. It's good to learn about these problems up front; the smart way is to ask about them directly: "So what are some of the problems you need to solve in your [networking department]?" Restate the problem as you understand it. Your interviewer will appreciate your level of interest and engagement. And you'll have valuable information. Remember to come back to the problem or problems during your interview. Many technical people are uncomfortable in the role of interviewer. By helping to frame the interview in terms of problem and solution, you're helping them to conduct a successful interview. For example, an imterviewer may ask you a question about your Java experience. Describe your experience and then explain how you could apply it to their problem. This shows you're a solution.

During:

1. Speak loudly. The biggest complaint from interviewers is that they could not hear the candidate. Please remember that although you have cut down on background noise and distractions, that the interviewer probably hasn't taken the same care. It's important to speak loud and clear in order to keep him/her engaged. Also, there may be more than one person in the room and you're on speakerphone.
2. Pay Attention. If they've already answered one of your questions, cross it off. If you think of a question, jot it down when it's triggered.

Closing:

1. Thank the interviewer for their time and consideration.
2. Ask what to expect next.
3. Ask for a timeline on how soon they'll be making a decision.
4. Thank them again!

Questions to ask your interviewer:

Hiring managers are more likely to judge canadates by their questions than their answers.

Tailor your questions to the company you're interviewing with - do a little research on their Web site or in your local paper's archives.

Don't worry that asking specific questions that might make you sound like you assume you have the position. Such direct interest helps build your value and shows you're capable. But remember: only ask questions you can't find answers to yourself!

1. How big is the team I'd be working with?
2. Who would my co-workers be, and what are their functions?
3. How many people would I be managing?
4. What are the goals of this department?
5. What are the company's objectives for the year?
6. What would my primary tasks on this project be?
7. What does the client expect at the end of the project?
8. What would I go to work on first, and what would my function be?
9. What is the deadline for this project? How will success be measured?
10. What makes this company different from this competitors?
11. What do you like about this company? What keeps you here?
12. If I meet or exceed the company's expectations, will there be additional opportunities to expand my responsibilities?
13. How is the team or department I'm interviewing for regarded by internal customers?
14. What sort of communication style works best with this team?
15. What are the main challenges associated with this team? With these tasks?
16. What are the biggest hurdles you hope to overcome in the next quarter?
17. What can you tell me about the culture and the environment?
18. How would you characterize successful employees in this department? What are their common qualities?
19. What is the department head's leadership style? How often would we interact?
20. Which internal customers would I be interacting with most frequently? What are their typical expectations?