If a company is impressed by you, chances are, they will give you a call to ask you in for an interview. For some people, the whole interview starts with a face-to face meeting. However, more acute observers will realise that your interview starts from the very moment you pick up the telephone. Whether it’s a short call, or a lengthy one – you must be prepared for it!

A job interview by telephone can be an exercise in frustration, full of awkward silences. Or, it can be a chance to set yourself apart from the competition. In either case, it’s all about how you prepare.

So Job Nut is providing you with some useful tips in making sure you stand out from the rest…

• Be prepared to describe skills you’ve acquired and projects you’ve completed that match the job description. Use examples, also, to verify the information in your resume. You’ll want to communicate your high level of interest in the field and the company. Express your motivation to work in the field, cite courses that proved exceptionally helpful and mention relevant internships, work experience and extra-curricular activities.
• Respond to questions in an open, direct manner that communicates how eager you are to work hard and learn as much as possible about the field.
• If possible, gather information about the position that can provide a clearer picture of the job’s responsibilities, and then focus your responses on aspects of your background that demonstrate your ability to fulfill these requirements.
• Even though the person screening applicants may be a mid-level employee with little influence on the final hiring decision, don’t say or do anything that shows disrespect or impatience. Don’t forget your objective: To convince the screener that you should be brought in for an in-person interview. Remember, too, that he or she is looking for a reason to eliminate you from the running in order to cut the field of candidates to a manageable number.

Go for it!