Greetings!
Welcome to your latest issue of the Interview Expert newsletter.
Every issue explores the key elements of a successful job interview and strategic job search techniques - so you can master your skills and land the job you really want!
In this issue we discuss how you can use your voice in a phone interview to convince the interviewer that you're the best candidate for the job.
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Phone Interviews: Creating Compelling Connections
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Recruiters, search consultants and hiring organizations typically use phone interviews to screen potential candidates. They're also used to save on travel costs when talking with out-of-town applicants. A phone interview is often the first step in landing your new job. So, how do you connect to interviewers when they don't see you? It's all in the thoughtful and skillful use of your voice on the phone. You want to sound confident and authoritative. But you want to balance those qualities by sounding friendly, open and approachable, too. This helps the interviewer perceive you as receptive to new ideas, situations and a new job. Try this: Read the above paragraph aloud to yourself. Now, read it with a smile on your face. Do you hear the difference? Smiling actually changes the shape of your face. It makes you sound friendly, approachable and confident. Smiling helps create a connection with another person. Now, listen to your voice again.
- Try talking in a lower pitch. Speech experts say this helps convince people to believe you.
- Now, vary the volume and tone of your voice. Variation keeps people interested in what you are saying.
- Next, control the speed of your speech. Speaking at just a slightly faster rate than normal keeps listeners on the edge of their seat to catch your every word. But, watch that you don't talk too quickly or they won't be able to follow what you're saying. And, vary the pace to keep them interested in listening.
- Pause from time to time especially after saying something you want the interviewer to remember. Pauses have a huge impact. They give listeners a chance to catch up and remember what you've said.
Creating compelling connections in phone interviews is an art. Practice it to master it. Record yourself on video (turn off the picture when you replay it) or use an audio recorder. Hear what they hear. If you're not sure how you sound in a phone interview, call me now. I'll give you a professional assessment and quickly help you figure out what you can do to make the greatest impact. At the end of the consultation, you'll be able to hear the difference in how you sound from the other side of the desk. In the next issue, I'll give you Six Key Steps to Acing Your Next Phone Interview. You'll soon be on your way to landing the job you really want!
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