Phone interviews sound easier than in-person ones, but don’t be fooled, they’re just as stressful. Your recruiter is going to take a lot more than just your answers into consideration. That’s why we’ve prepared four tips to help you impress your recruiter and potential employer:
1. Practice Your Answers
This might come as a shock to you, and don’t freak out, but your interview will probably involve answering questions. It’s crazy, we know. Your recruiter will want to know that you’re up to the job. That’s why you should expect to answer questions about your job history, abilities, including any special certifications and strengths.
Now that you have an idea of what they’ll ask, don’t wait until the interview to come up with answers. Remember, it’s all about preparation. You should brainstorm as many question and answer scenarios as possible, and practice your answers so that you can give them without hesitation. That’ll show your recruiter how confident you are.
Brainstorming is good, but to seal the deal, you should write your answers down. Use a sheet of paper or a note-writing app to do it. Writing out and practicing your answers will put them at the forefront of your mind and they’ll be accessible during your call (a definite plus of phone interviews).
2. Show Off Your Professionalism
Your recruiter will be taking everything that they hear into consideration. Your phone etiquette has to be on point so that they understand how serious you are. They’ll listen to your tone of voice and your surroundings to assemble this image of your life.
Don’t answer the phone in the hospital cafeteria that’s housing twenty different conversations. Find a nice, quiet spot where the only sound they’ll hear is your voice.
Have you ever had someone tell you to answer the phone with a smile? You probably thought to yourself, “Why? It’s not like they can see that I’m smiling.” Well, no, of course they can’t see you smiling, but trust us, you can hear if a person is smiling.
Speaking of tone of voice, make sure that your voice is nice and steady. It’s understandable to be nervous, but you can’t let your voice tremble when you answer questions. Answers need to be clear, concise and delivered with confidence. You need to let your interviewer know that you’re not just ready to listen, you’re ready to communicate.
3. Ask Questions
It may be your interview, but you can and should ask questions about the job itself. Always have a standard list of questions to ask your recruiter and the interviewer about the facility or the assignment and make sure they coincide with your goals. Your recruiter will be able to answer a lot of them, even if they may not know all of the details. The less unknown variables, the more confident you’ll feel in all aspects of your assignment.
Think about what you want to know about where you might be working. Ask about their policies, their procedures, the unit, and the facility itself. Even if all you want to know is the wi-fi accessibility at a facility. Show your recruiter that you’re interested.
4. Be Flexible
One of the most important aspects of any employee, static or travel, is their flexibility. Not even Superman can hold down a job if he’s too busy saving the world. Your employer needs to know that they can rely on you. Inform them that you’re flexible with dates, shifts and schedules.
Phone interviewers aren’t easy; there’s a lot more to them than just answering questions. Your answers represent you, and you need them to show off your best attributes. Prepare for your interview before it sneaks up on you.
For more information on being the kick-ass medical traveler we know that you are, check out our Healthcare Travel Guide. For fresh job opportunities, please take a look at the job board on our travel nurse agency site. Contact us if you have any questions.
