Interviewing

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Prepare for the Phone Screen Interview

Prepare in advance

Create a brief list of general questions about the job/company (save the detailed questions for the face-to-face interview).

Use your voice

Since neither you nor the hiring manager have the benefit of the visual cues that a face-to-face meeting provides, you have to convey your personality and suitability through your voice and how you manage your side of the conversation. Most important – be positive, use a friendly, conversational tone, and speak clearly. Listen carefully to the questions and ask for clarification if you need to. Let the interviewer lead the discussion.

Purpose of the call

The general purpose of the screening call is to determine if you have the qualifications required for the position. If the job for which you have applied includes communication skills as a requirement, the way you handle the call will reflect on this skill.

Call to action

Close the conversation with a call to action: What is the next step in the process? When can you expect to hear back from someone? 

Most important—relax and be your confident self.

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Hot Tips for Interviewing

Before the Interview: Prepare, prepare, prepare.

Find out everything you can about the company and any details you can about the position for which you will be interviewed. Check out the company website, press releases, marketing materials, annual report. Do you know anyone who currently works for the company or who worked for the company in the past? Go to your Network, check for a contact in LinkedIn. As you perform your research, identify opportunities where you can add value to the organization. You may be able to use this info in the interview.

If possible, get a copy of the job description. If you can’t get that info, use the job posting as a guide to the types of questions that may be asked. Be clear in your own mind why you want to work for this company (refer to your earlier research) and why you want this particular position. Create a list of potential interviewer questions focused on the skills listed in the job description/job posting. Prepare for the “behavioral” interview questions—those open-ended questions such as “Tell me about a time you had to solve a problem creatively.” These questions will likely revolve around the skills and capabilities from the job description/job posting. Do a mock interview with a friend or peer or spend some time preparing with a career coach. Create a list of questions that you would like to ask the interviewer. Make sure they are thoughtful and intelligent. For example, “Would you tell me about the culture of the company/department/unit?” “What do you see as the greatest challenge for the person hired for this position?” Make sure your questions are substantive—no questions about benefits, please. Also be prepared for compensation discussions by researching the salary range of the position for which you are applying.

Make a dry run to the location of the interview so you know exactly where you are going and how long it will take to get there at the time of day for your interview. Make several copies of your resume and any accompanying materials just in case you end up meeting multiple people. Have a nice portfolio pad and a couple of good pens ready to take along.

Interview Day: Take a deep breath and relax—you are prepared.

If you’re a jobseeker aged 50+, you probably have the notion that you may meet with some form of age discrimination. And you may—age discrimination is operating out there and in most cases it’s very subtle and very difficult to prove. However, if you have an attitude about age discrimination it will color your interactions and you may bring on the very thing you want to avoid. So check your attitude at the door. Put your concerns aside and believe in yourself as the skilled professional that you are. 

Dress professionally and age appropriately. People frequently question how “professional” to dress when many work environments are quite casual. A rule of thumb is to dress one level more professional than the workers at the company. So if the dress is casual jeans and t-shirts, wear business casual. If the dress is business casual, wear a suit.

Make the best impression by being on time. Ten minutes early demonstrates enthusiasm and interest. 

Start Talking: Now it’s time to show your stuff.

Connect with the interviewer immediately by making some casual, polite conversation. Keep it positive. Companies like to hire positive people so steer clear of making any negative comments during the interview. Remember eye contact and a nice firm (but not bone-crushing) handshake.

Chances are good that the interviewer may be much younger than you. Resist all urges to comment on age. Don’t make references to the fact that you may have children older than the interviewer or your potential co-workers. Don’t focus the interviewer on age gaps. 

The casual, polite conversation will proceed to the “interview.” Don’t refer to your “experience.” Employers want to know what you can do for them today. In referring to previous employment, it’s not about how many years you did what—it’s about your accomplishments and the skills and capabilities you now have to offer this potential employer. Answer the questions completely but succinctly. You may be asked open-ended questions. This is referred to as behavioral interviewing. The goal of the question is to find out more about how you would act in a specific situation. Craft your answers around identifying the Problem, your Solution, and the Result. Stick with this formula and you won’t get off track and non-responsive. It’s okay to take a minute to think about your response before you begin to answer—it shows you are thoughtful. Sometimes interviewers ask questions that seem a little obtuse. If you don’t understand the question, ask the interviewer to explain a little more about what they want to know. Whatever you do, don’t say anything negative about anyone, ever.

Pay attention to your body language. Make eye contact, sit upright and forward in your chair, and be attentive. Crossed arms and legs are closed and defensive positions to avoid. Modulate your voice and speak clearly and distinctly. If you have a habit of speaking fast when you are nervous, take a deep breath and slow down.

Hot Button Questions: Handle with care.

There are a couple of “hot button” questions that are frequently asked of mature workers. “Why would you be interested in a job that’s several steps down from your previous position?” Or, “Aren’t you overqualified for this position?” Prepare for this type of question. People have different responses and you need to identify your motivation. Are you ready to step back because you find the challenges at this lower level more stimulating at this time in your life? Do you prefer the more “hands on” part of the job? Whatever your reason, think it through and believe it so you can sell it.

Questions also arise about whether the mature worker can relate to team members who are much younger. The answer to this is a rousing “Absolutely, I think diversity spawns creativity and we have much to offer each other.”

The End: How to say goodbye.

As the interview winds down, the interviewer will probably ask if you have any questions. You MUST have questions and they should be substantive—not about the benefits. Pull out the list you prepared. The interviewer may ask you what salary you expect. It is best to put off compensation discussions until you are sure you will be offered a job. But if you are pressed to answer, give the range that you found in your research. Remember, if you provide a number, you may be bound to that number.

At the conclusion of the interview, restate your interest in the position and two or three reasons why you believe you are a good fit for the job and company. Ask the interviewer what are the next steps and when can you expect to hear from them. Get the names and addresses of everyone you interviewed with and make sure to send thank you notes and thank you emails as soon as possible.