Telephone interviews are becoming more common as students seek out internships and jobs around the country. Due to cost, it is often impossible to arrange a face-to-face interview. Employers still want to talk to you, so they will either schedule a call, or, call without warning. Other employers will want to conduct an initial telephone screening before meeting you. With preparation, you can have a successful interview across the wires.

Keep these tips in mind:

Get your message machine and roommates prepared:

• If you think you might get phone calls, be sure the message on your answering machine is appropriate! You want to give a good impression right from the start.

• Let your roommates know that you are expecting calls. Request that the phone be answered with a “hello,” and not a “yeah,” or worse.

Use the telephone interview opportunity to your advantage:

• Have your resume readily available. You could tape it to a wall near the phone. Write notes to yourself, and post them on your resume.

• Keep your job research materials well organized, and near the phone for easy reference.

Do your prep work, as you would with any interview:

• Research the organizations to which you are applying.

• Practice answering questions as you would for an in-person interview. Use our handout on interviewing, located on our website. www.careerdevelopment.brown.edu .

• Schedule a practice interview with a career counselor, which can be done on the phone or in person.

During the interview:

• If you are not expecting the call, you can ask for a minute to take the call in a quiet place. Or, ask to call back in five minutes, or at a better time that is mutually convenient.

• Turn off the music or TV. Close your door.

• Consider standing while you talk. It will improve the quality of your voice. (This is a tip from telemarketers who encourage pacing to project enthusiasm by increasing activity!)

• Smile while you talk. Looking into a mirror during the interview also helps.

• Keep your answers concise. Because you don't have visual cues to guide conversation, it can be difficult to know if you are saying too much or too little.

• Be careful of “ums” and “ahs.” Without visual cues, flaws in your speech patterns are magnified (and this is all the interviewer has to evaluate).

• Speak slowly, and articulate well. Give the interviewer time to think, and respond.

• You don't need to dress or worry about posture, but it may be helpful to set the tone.

• Keep a notepad handy to write notes during the interview. Be sure to get the interviewer's name, title, address, phone number and e-mail.

After the interview:

• As with any interview, be sure to write or e-mail a thank you note immediately after the conversation.

AOL 08/23/04