10 Tips for Phone Interview Success!
Are you ready for your next phone interview?
Phone interviews are usually the first step in the interview process in medical sales, laboratory sales, medical device sales, pharmaceutical sales, and all healthcare sales. It’s always my first step (besides evaluating the resume) in selecting a candidate to present to my clients as a medical sales recruiter. If you want a chance to get your smiling face, winning personality, and 30/60/90-day plan in front of the hiring manager, you better do the phone interview very well.
There’s a great post by Bethany Stringer at brand-yourself.com: Avoid these 9 common phone interview blunders with such a good additional comment from Trace Cohen I decided to put it all together here for you (with a twist, so go read the original, too):
1. Speak smoothly. Practice your answers so that you don’t stammer, or use fillers that detract from your message (and they will). Uncertainty is bad enough in a face-to-face interview–it really stands out on the phone when all they have to concentrate on is your voice.
2. Explain your answer. Answer questions with more than a “yes” or “no.” It keeps the conversation going, and allows you to give the interviewer relevant details that go a long way toward selling you as the best candidate.
3. Be clear and to the point. Explain your answer, but don’t talk forever. One extreme is just as bad as another.
4. Keep a few things to yourself. For instance, now is not the time to discuss salary requirements, or talk about why you hated your last sales manager.
5. Be alert. Get enough rest, have your Wheaties, and be mentally/physically prepared for this interview. It’s just as important as a face-to-face.
6. Project enthusiasm. Use your voice (since that’s all you’ve got here) to let the interviewer know how much you want this job. No need to sound like a motivational speaker, just be positive. Smile while you’re talking. It improves the conversation, and makes you appear more confident.
7. Be prepared. Do your homework, have your resume in front of you, write down a list of questions to ask, and make sure you’re in a place where you can turn all your energy to this interview. They can’t see you check your notes, so use every advantage you can.
8. Be calm. Find a quiet spot where you can relax and focus to do the interview. If you’re surrounded by talking people, move. If you’re running late for another appointment, offer to call back and set a time. It’s much better to call back at a better time than to accept an interview that will go badly because of whatever chaos is going on right then.
9. Thank the interviewer. You would never leave a face-to-face interview without closing the interview, or at least winding down with a “thank you for your time” and “I’m very interested in talking with you again about this opportunity.” Be polite, and leave a good impression with the interviewer.
10. Stand up. (from Trace) Standing up while you’re talking makes it easier for you to project energy and enthusiasm. It will come through to the hiring manager (or recruiter).
Need more help with preparing for a phone interview? Click here.
If you’d like an objective, expert evaluation of your phone interview style, consider custom consulting. It’s an investment in yourself that will pay off in more job offers.
Written by Peggy McKee - the medical sales recruiter
Get top medical sales candidates at PHC Consulting
 How to Get Into Medical Sales Learn how to get into this great field - insider secrets & tips. |
|
30/60/90 Day Sales PlansRelated posts:
- Phone Sales Tips = Phone Interview Skills Here’s another great article for you from Mark Hunter, The...
- Phone Sales Tips: Use Phone Skills for Medical Sales Job Interviews Mark Hunter has some great tips for you when contacting customers...
- Typical Phone Interview Questions for Medical Sales Jobs Phone interviews can be deceptively casual to some medical sales...
- 6 Tips for a Successful Medical Device Sales Job Interview Competition for jobs in medical sales can be fierce. Health...
- 10 Proven Tips for Your Medical Sales Job Search Success Your job search is one of the most significant tasks...
Comments
One Response to “10 Tips for Phone Interview Success!”
Leave a Reply
Corporate Website
Career Tools
-
-
-
Ace Your Sales Interview If you are a sales professional, or want to become one, looking for a new job, you will face one of the toughest interview processes of any job seeker.
Now you can ace your interview with the 30 60 90 Day Sales Plan template with audio coaching. This simple tool will help you knock the socks off your interviewer and bury your competition. Over 30 minutes of concentrated instruction that jobseekers can use to get multiple offers from their next interview process.
Click here to get the details of the 30/60/90 Day Plan template with audio coaching Mailing List
[...] because it doesn't feel like the "real thing"…and they can't see you anyway. But not taking the phone interview very seriously is a huge mistake. If they called you, they like you, and they are screening their [...]