Let's Do This: The Phone Screen

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Congratulations, you've made it to the Phone Screen phase.  Now what?  The phone screen is designed to eliminate candidates from the process based on specific criteria the company has created for the position: skills, phone skills, cultural fit, to name a few.

You may be called without an appointment. 

• Be professional when answering
• If they get your voicemail - Be sure you have a greeting so they know they've reached you
• Call back as soon as you can!

You may receive an email to schedule a time to speak.  

• Respond promptly
• Thank them for reaching out to you
• Let them know your availability - give them more than one day and time.

Each company has their own process and interview style.  Some do it better than others, and some are just as nervous as you are!  So what types of styles am I referring to?

• Behavioral:  Past behaviors - "Tell me about a time when you..."
• Situational:  What would you do  - "Tell me what you would do if..."
• Conversational:  Casual Conversation - Getting to know you through a conversation
• Structured:  Probing Questions - Asking lots of questions of you to see how you answer

Here are a few tips to help you prepare for that first call.

• Put the call on your calendar 
• Pick-up when they call - nothing worse than missing a scheduled call
• Be in a place where you can talk, without distractions
• Research the company to find out:
• What they do - products they make, sell, the industry
• Who works there
• Look up the company on LinkedIn to see who works there
• Some have a "Jobs Page" on LinkedIn to show their culture
• Whose the management team
• Why did you apply?
• Why do you want to work there?
• Prepare your answer - But don't be "canned", be natural, and sincere
• What can you bring to the table to help them succeed?
• Give examples of other accomplishments that match their needs
• Show your commitment, work ethic, integrity, and passion for what you do!
• Practice not using "Fillers".  
• Fillers are using words like "um", "ah", "like", "you know". 

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Relax, Breath, Be yourself!  You CAN DO THIS!