Pre-Interview Phone Call

As soon as you hand out your resume and cover letter, expect that every call could be for your first interview.

Here's the problem - we can't control life.

When you pick up the phone and begin to realize this call is to schedule an interview, you may want everything in life to just stop. However, despite your every attempt to make it slow down or stop life moves on.

To get through the pre-interview call you need to be prepared and the people around you need to be prepared.

Bring everyone you're around up to speed. Let them know you're expecting the next call to be for an interview. Let them ride that excitement with you so they can help you succeed.

Outlined below are the necessities to being prepared and how to prepare those around you.

Remember; every time you, your roommate or someone in your family picks up the phone it could potentially be your boss.

Some companies don't have the resources to have HR or other members of administration do the pre-interview call. I can tell you first hand, as a manager I preferred to make my own pre-interview calls. Within a few minutes I could determine if the individual had the necessary job skills and met the requirements for the position.

(Don't be afraid to ask for help. Everyone needs a little help from time to time. A good job is as beneficial to them as it is to you. If you're happy where you work you'll be happier when you come home!)

Ask your roommate, spouse, family members or friends (your 'assistants') to simply answer the phone courteously. A happy attitude translates into a happy environment, which reflects well on you. It may sound funny but it's true. You want the caller to be happy and mentally in the right place. Give yourself the best opportunity to have a smooth pre-interview call.

If you're not immediately available but you're at home, have them put the phone down and then find you. Yelling your name at the top of their lungs isn't appropriate. It may hurt the caller's ear and breeds anxiety for you. Phones can pick up background noise. If you ask "Who is it" or have any other random conversation there's a good chance they'll hear some or all of it.

When possible your assistants should alert you to who the caller is before you pick up the phone, and do it out of earshot of the phone receiver. (If you know who it is you can prepare yourself appropriately.)

There may be a chance you're not home for the call. That's ok....as long as you get the message. Ask your 'assistants' to PLEASE write clearly, concisely. They need to get the callers full name, their company name and their phone number. It's always helpful to have the caller repeat back their contact information, or have your assistant repeat back the contact information to the caller. You don't want to miss out on getting a job because the only information you have is"...someone from InterExec called for you...".

If you're children answer the phone, before they start taking calls write down on paper what they need to get from the caller. Go as far as to practice with them until they get it right. Use your cell phone to call the house and make it sound real. Have fun with them by disguising your voice! Make sure they get all of the information you need. After a little practice your children may even get excited to receive "the call" and know they did it right!

The few minutes spent prepping your 'assistants' could be the deciding factor on getting the job you want!

Preparing your environment is a crucial piece of your own mental preparation. Having a quiet relaxed environment will help you be calm and in check of your emotions. If you're watching a boiling pot of water and the TV's on in the background you're mentally not in the conversation, and they'll know it.

If you're by yourself ask the caller for 1 minute while you shut off the stove and TV. If they make the suggestion that they can call back later say "That's ok, you're call is very important to me. It will only take 1 minute to shut things off so we can have a better conversation."

An easy and efficient method of getting your environment in check is to setup a "code word". If you have 'assistants' this is fantastic and can be fun for children. Nothing's worse than preparing dinner, the kids are doing their homework, and your portable phone is dead leaving you stuck in the kitchen to talk.

Having a code word helps everyone identify the call and take every measure necessary to give you the peace and quiet you need. Pick something obvious to others but not unusual to say. For me I would use "broccoli". Combining it in a phrase is ok, but keep it short - the shorter the phrase the easier it for others to key in on. For example "Please check the broccoli". If my family heard me say "Please check the broccoli" everyone would stop in their tracks (I'm not a broccoli lover, nor do I like the smell of it cooking). That's what you're looking for - instant identification. When your 'assistants' hear the code word called out they should:

·     Take over whatever responsibility you were doing. If you were cooking dinner they should shut off the burners, the oven, stop the microwave, close the fridge, turn off the water...take over everything.
·     Your spouse, friend or family member should immediately assist in clearing the room. If the kids identified the word correctly they hopefully left quietly and on their own. They can finish their home work later and dinner can finish cooking in 10 minutes...you're working on getting a job
·      Immediately turn off the TV, stereo or close the windows if you have loud outside noises
·     Your 'assistants' should ALL leave the room. There's nothing more stressful then your friends, family or spouse watching you pre-interview. Have them stay within eyesight (like the next room) but not in direct eye contact. If you need something it may be helpful to have them locate it
·     While you're on the phone have your family pray and think good, positive thoughts for you. The power of positive thinking is amazing and is a resource not tapped into often enough. Utilize all your resources!!!

This may sound extreme but it's not. This phone call will most likely be done before the commercial break ends. You're working on getting a job, a job that you may work at for years. This job is possibly the financial launching point for the success of you and your family. A few minutes of peace, quiet and help from all isn't too much to ask for.

Life moves fast, and the caller knows it. They like having their prospective interviewer in an uncomfortable situation. If you have the ability or you're by yourself don't hesitate to ask for a minute to remove yourself from the situation. A must if you're on a cell phone. If you're in the grocery store when you answer the phone ask for 1 minute to get to a quiet environment. Grab your purse, wallet, grocery list and walk to your car. Leave everything or park the cart in an inconspicuous place so you can grab it when you come back. Remember, the phone call will almost always be short. Don't hang up and call them back unless absolutely necessary.

The last step for preparing yourself is to have a copy of your resume on you at all times. I can't stress this enough. Print out 7 copies if you have to. Keep one on you at all times. Keep it with you like you would your keys. Put a copy by each phone and write across the top "Do Not Throw Away" in bold letters. You're counting on that resume being there; don't let someone accidentally throw it away. If you're wondering why it should be with you everywhere, read on.

Now that you've prepped yourself and your surroundings it's time to work the call.

Pre-Interview Calls typically consist of a few questions, some general information and lastly scheduling the interview. People often take these questions lightly. As I stated before, this is an interview. Answer all questions as if they were standing in front of you.

Keep your resume on hand. Often during the pre-interview process the caller will confirm work details. They may ask you "I see you worked at Fish Mart in November of 2004. I used to shop there." You answer "Yes, that's correct", but your resume states November of 2005.

Understand that they may want to put you off guard. They'll kindly point that they were mistaken and that your resume states November of 2005. You're now in an awkward position and forced to agree to their correction. In addition you're now questioning your own answers and they'll hear it in your voice. If they think you're lying about your resume or don't remember your own employment history they may end the call. Having your resume instantly available allows you to quickly scan and confirm your own dates, as well as the details of your past jobs.

Don't go into too much detail. Answer their questions courteously, but without a bunch of extra detail. They're calling to feel out your personality - not to share recipes or what you're having for dinner.

If the Pre-Interviewer asks you if they can contact your previous employer - SAY YES. Regardless of your previous employment circumstances you need to say "Yes".

By law your previous employer can only answer specific questions. Those questions don't include "Were they fired?". If they contact your previous employer and they divulge inappropriate information they can get into a world of trouble. Have faith that your previous employers HR will respond appropriately. Answering No will open up a series of questions. You don't want to and shouldn't have to answer those questions.

If your previous employer brings up something inappropriate and they bring it to your attention, accept responsibility for the action. E.g. If they mentioned you had excessive tardiness for several months (which they shouldn't), move past it. Accept responsibility and inform them that you've made changes in your life to move past being late - be honest. Don't kid yourself that getting a job under false pretenses is better than no job at all. Getting the job under false pretenses will lead to disaster in the long run. It's hard enough starting a new job. Don't start it while having hidden knowledge you did it under a false pretense.

Be honest, sincere, happy, pleasant and focused on what they're saying or asking. Laugh if it's appropriate. Share your personality through your voice and how you sound when you respond. Don't tell them your life story.

If you answer their questions quickly, stay focused and demonstrate a dedication to the conversation you're holding, you're on track for an interview. Try to get in sooner rather than later. Some companies will interview until they find the person they like, regardless if they have additional interviews scheduled. If you're aware of your schedule and your 'assistants" schedule you should be able to book your appointment on the call. If you have to confirm availability with others you may lose out. Make the interview appointment and figure out a way to make it happen.

You've successfully navigated the 5 minute phone call from heck. Friends, family, roommates all parted the Red Sea to give you peace and quiet. Your preparation gave you the ability to answer questions you never thought you'd be asked.

You have an interview scheduled!

Congratulations!!!

Now, the real fear sets in. Instead of waiting for a random phone call that you may never receive, you're now laying your life on the line in just 24 hours. What do I wear, what do I say in the interview, what do I do after the interview? If you suddenly find yourself asking those questions you need to review my other two lenses. Give yourself the best opportunity to succeed and get the job you've always wanted.

That's my hope and prayer for you...

Lens #5 out of the 8 part series is Preparing For Your Interview

Lens #6 out of the 8 part series is The Best Job Interview Questions.

Lens #7 out of the 8 part series is Dressing for Success in your interview

Lens #8 out of the 8 part series is Post Interview Follow-Up.