Preparing For The Interview!

As soon as you send out your résumé and letter of intent to prospective
employers, you need to be ready for the next step... the call back and
telephone interview. More and more employers are relying on the telephone
interview as a means to further weed out candidates before committing to the
expense of bringing them in for an in-person interview. That means it's time
to re-evaluate how you answer the phone, and how your voicemail message
sounds. Does it convey enthusiasm and professionalism, or is your 2 year old
with a cute message? Do not give any hints to your marital status or family
situation on your message. Also, if you're working the late night shift and
someone calls first thing in the morning, do you sound sleepy when you pick
up the phone? Are you chewing gum, eating, or smoking? The phone picks up all those noises, including typing on a keyboard at your computer.

Don't rely on caller ID to tell you who's calling. Instead of suspiciously
answering the phone every time someone asks for you using your first and last
name, consider the fact that it may be a potential employer, not a
telemarketer. Sound friendly and upbeat every time you answer the phone. Be
prepared for the telephone interview. If you are truly interested in the
position, you must be able to pass the phone test first.

1. Know everything that's on your resume and be prepared to answer any
questions regarding the resume. Keep a copy by the phone if necessary.

2. Do some company research. Know who their affiliates and competition are,
how they rank in the market, station history, etc. (A USA Today survey
reports 44% of executives said the most common mistake candidates make during the job interview is having little or no knowledge of the company.)

3. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Prepare a mini-introduction and have it
written down near the phone. When the interviewer says "tell me about
yourself", you can be concise without rambling. Practice the words so it
doesn't sound like your reading. How you communicate here will give the
interviewer an idea of your communication skills. Have a mirror handy and
make sure you're smiling through the interview! And you'll sound more alert
if you're standing instead of sitting.

So keep in mind that your phone message and demeanor are another way to make a great impression, right after your tape and résumé land on the News
Director's desk. Make it count!

Next week: Your portfolio checklist