How to have a strong professional phone presence???

Question

I must sound like a complete idiot on the phone. Im going through interviews now for a new job. I land phone interviews easy but never seal the deal!!!! I did 12 so far! Some responses were I didnt sound enthusiastic on the phone! What does that mean? Others were my phone presence wasnt very strong? Please help me with this. God Bless!

Answer 1

Here are some good rules to follow:

Be prepared for the interview - practice some responses to anticipated questions so that you don't hesitate or sound unsure of your suitability for the position

Research before you call - this way, you will have information at hand about the company and this will help your responses and your confidence

Speak up! Speak directly into the phone, and speak clearly. For example, don't say "I wanna" when you mean to say "I wanT To"

Try to make the call in a quiet, nondistracting environment - no tv or radio, etc. so you can concentrate on the questions and provide concise, to-the-point answers.

Don't use "like" like a thousand times. Or 'um' or other nonwords that can make you sound unsure.

Don't use slang

Don't be eating or chewing gum

Smile when you are talking - it actually does make a difference in how your voice projects

Be confident and enthusiastic - I know it's hard, but if you sound like you believe in yourself, others will find it easier to believe too. Use strong confident phrases - "I am a hard worker" rather than "I try to work hard" or "I know that my skills are a good match for the position" rather than "I think I could be a good match" for example

Best of luck!

Answer 2

The number one rule for any phone based employment is to smile BEFORE you pick up the phone so you eminate warmth, friendliness and confidence so the initial impression that you give will be a positive one. A trick to do this is to keep photos of happy memories on the desk or wall by the phone and look at one and bring back that happy memory.

An attitude that you will be an asset and great employee is even more important when you are looking for a job and been through a lot of rejections as with today's job market, many jobs have up to 200 applicants for one job opening.

The second is to feel competent in the material you need to know to answer a question or do a job and to get more comfortable doing so, do practice conversations over the phone with your friends and relatives using different scenarios so you become more confident and competent in your abilities.

Answer 3

Get ready for your phone interview like you would for any in-person interview. Consider wearing business clothes; even though no one can see you, it can help put you in the mental state to sound your most professional during the interview.

Similarly, stand while talking. It will help your voice sound 'larger' as your torso will be open and elongated. Also, good posture can have the same psychological effects on your presentation as dressing well.

Before you call, review the company. Figure out why it is you want to work for them. Figure out why you're excited to be considered for the job. Come up with some intelligent questions to ask about the company and the position.

Have your resume in front of you and any reference data. Try to be prepared for questions the interviewer may ask you about your background, qualifications, and work history. Since it's a phone interview, you can have the 'cheat sheet' in front of you to reference at any time.

Avoid discussing compensation until they bring it up; you don't want it to come across as if your sole interest in the position is money (even if it is;). If/when it does, be honest about what you expect to earn--with them and with yourself.

Turn off any media...no television (even with the sound off), radio, or other distractions. In addition, ask your family/roommate to respect your privacy for the duration of the interview and go to a seperate room so you may concentrate solely on the interview.

Try to sound excited; even if you sound like you're overdoing it a little bit, remember that they don't have your facial expressions or body language to which to refer. All the interviewer can judge your interest by is your voice.

Good luck!