More commonly used for international positions are telephone interviews and video conferencing. Review these useful telephone tips to make a lasting impression.

Preparing for a Telephone Interview
Given the volume and expense of international hires, it can often be impossible to meet every single international candidate face to face. In many respects it can be far more difficult to prepare for a telephone interview opposed to meeting in person.
Companies can use telephone interviews for various reasons:

	As a preliminary screening prior to inviting the candidate to meet in person
	When there are a large number of candidates applying for the role
	When the role on offer involves extensive time on the telephone
	When there is a large distance between candidate and client

The main objective from the interview is to obtain enough relevant information to assist you in the decision making process and find out if you would like to progress.

Preparation
Preparation is imperative and is just as important as preparing for a face to face interview or meeting. The impression that you create in the opening moments will determine whether you will be successful or not.

Research – you must go into the call as knowledgeable as possible. You must research in great depth and expect to be questioned on what you know. For international assignments, research should cover:

	The location – why are you attracted to working internationally and more specifically, why that particular country or city? General answers about moving overseas do not impress the interviewers as they want to hire motivated and directed candidates. The web is a great tool, as are friends and family who have either visited or relocated so know why you are driven there.
	The company – why are you attracted to working for this company? Is it their global status, your long term career aspirations, the role?
	The role – make sure you have a job specification. What attracts you to the role and why should they hire you for this role? Do you have a similar skill set, what can you bring to their firm and department?
	Questions – have all of your questions planned out and written down in front of you, this way you will never forget to ask any crucial points but one golden rule, NEVER ask about salary unless it is brought to your attention by the interviewer. Good questions to ask include; what training will be provided; will there be travel involved in the role; what opportunities are there for long term advancement.; structure of the division; where would you fit in etc.

Let’s not forget, they need to impress you as much you want to impress them!

Resume – read and re-read the resume that they have and ensure that you are sitting with this in front of you. Think carefully about potential questions or assumptions that they may make and be prepared enough to have answers thought out. For example; if you have gaps in your employment, why? If you have moved around a lot, why?

The Interview
If the call has been confirmed for a specific time, make sure that you are ready and waiting. Excuses will not be tolerated if you are walking down the street on in the supermarket, you would not walk into a face to face meeting late and the telephone call is no different, even if it is on a mobile phone.

It is imperative to ask for the interviewers details prior to a confirmed call, then if there is no call when planned, call 15 minutes later and leave a message if they are not around to let them know that you were ready and waiting.

	Phone line – always try to ensure that the call is on a landline to avoid interference and clarity on the line.
	Noise – make sure that you are in a quiet room and confirm that you are not to be interrupted (by colleagues or children!).
	Tone – the most crucial part of your behaviour. It’s not only what you say that counts but more importantly on the phone it is how you say it. Arrogance, enthusiasm, lethargy can all be apparent by the way we speak so make sure you’re upbeat and fully of energy when you speak. Sound interested and interesting!
	Be succinct - presentation and body language can not gauged therefore making your words even more crucial than before, do not drone on and get straight to the point.
	Do not swear or use colloquialisms, many international clients will not understand or be impressed.
	Addressing – try to use the company and interviewer’s name throughout the interview.

Objective: Show your commitment, enthusiasm and that you are entirely committed!

Completing the call
The interviewer’s objective is to hear how interested you are. If you are keen to progress, tell them. Closure is just as important as opening the conversation and don’t be afraid to take control but there is a fine line between being ‘too pushy’ and in control. Let them know that you are keen to progress and if positive from their side, what timescale are they considering, are there many candidates being interviewed and what would be the next stage in the process.

Afterwards, relay your feedback on to your Consultant immediately along with any other questions and let them take over.

GOOD LUCK!