The Unexpected Job Interview Call – How to Be Prepared
By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter
Getting an unexpected call from a recruiter can catch you off guard, but with some preparation, you can handle it smoothly and professionally. Here are my top tips as a career coach for being ready for those out-of-the-blue interview calls:
- Maintain an up-to-date list of all jobs you’ve applied to. Include the company name, position, date applied, and a brief description. That way if a recruiter calls about a role from weeks ago, you can quickly reference your list.
- Keep a master resume file. Have ready access to tailored versions of your resume that match each job you applied to. When a recruiter calls, you can pull up the correct resume.
- Prepare an elevator pitch about yourself. Have a short pitch ready that summarizes your background, skills, and why you’re an excellent fit for the role. Practice it out loud so it sounds natural. Start by saying, “People hire me for _________ because I _____________.”
- Develop stories. Think through anecdotes that highlight your skills and fit for the position. Stories bring your resume to life.
- Practice frequently. Set time weekly to do mock interviews with common screening questions so you continue to polish your responses.
- Designate an interview space. Have a quiet, distraction-free space where you can focus on the call and access your interview materials.
- Let household members know when you’re on a call. Give family or roommates a heads up that you may need to take calls at odd hours from recruiters.
With preparation and practice, you can handle those surprise interview calls smoothly and improve your chances of moving forward in the hiring process. The key is being ready to put your best foot forward at a moment’s notice.
How Do You Know You Should Change Careers?
Some general questions you might expect in a telephone screening are:
Why are you leaving your current job?
What kind of salary/job are you looking for?
Tell me three adjectives that describe you.
Tell me about a time when you had to solve a problem using creativity.
Do you have any questions for me?
If there is some particular skill that qualifies you for a job, for example technical skills or languages, there may be some qualifying questions about the ‘tools of the trade.’
Getting through this screening is critical for advancing to the next step: the face-to-face interview. This puts added pressure on you to present yourself in a positive, focused manner. If you attempt to wing this call, you may reach a dead end in the process. By organizing and preparing you will feel less stressed when these calls do come.
Finding The Career That Fits You
ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER
People hire Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter to provide No BS Career Advice globally because he makes many things in peoples’ careers easier. Those things can involve job search,
hiring more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, as well as advice about resolving workplace issues.
Schedule a discovery call at my website, www.TheBigGameHunter.us
He is the host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for job search with over 2600 episodes.
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