How Do You Pass A Phone Interview ?

How do I pass a phone interview so that I can have a face to face interview? I just recently had a phone interview that I know did not go well and will not have a chance to meet with someone about becoming a Property Manager for there community. I know I would be great for them but totally boom the phone interview, I have never had one before. So how do I pass a phone interview?

A phone interview is pretty much the same as a face-to-face interview without the stress of meeting someone in person. So of course, your WOW factor has to be a bit more. Just ensure you listen to the speaker and answer every question honestly and detailed. Do not interupt them when talking, and ensure to always ask if they understood what you stated and if your answer was appropiate for their question. Speak clear and professional, and stay focus on their questions and concerns. Feel free to ask them for a little time to elaborate about your experiance and what you believe would be an asset for hiring you.

Barbie, I agree with Pedro's tips. Making a positive impression over the telephone can be a bit more difficult, but not impossible! Try these tips next time:

1. Stand up nice and tall during the phone call.
2. If possible stand in front of a mirror so you can see your expressions, posture, etc. Smile, smile, smile - just as you would if you were meeting face to face.
3. Be prepared - have your notes and reference material (resume, etc.) at hand
4. Be aware of your surroundings - turn off the TV or radio, don't type on the computer or text other people during the interview. Keep distracting sounds to a minimum (little children, pets, etc.)
5. Pump-up your energy level, use your hands and use the same kind of responses you would in a face-to-face interview: "That's a great question. Here's how I did such-and-such ..." or "I'm glad you asked about that, my process worked because ...."

If you have a friend that is willing, have them call you and ask you some of the same questions from the first phone interview and respond using some of the above ideas. It may seem a little silly - but your friend will be able to give you a good reading on your energy, etc. Practice makes perfect.

And FINALLY:
Don't be afraid to let your personality, ENERGY, enthusiam and confidence in your ability to do the job come through. You want the person on the other end of the phone to say "Wow, that gal sounds GREAT - full of ENERGY! I have to meet her in person!"

Good Luck!

I am terrible at phone interviews myself, but think they are extremely important when I am hiring. I like to meet people face to face, but I realize that lots of prospects will call a property and it's up to that Manager or Leasing Agent to have good phone skills and get them in the door. I always write down lots of points that I want to be sure to mention about my skills or job experiences. Think of the phone interview as being to your advantage because you are able to read things straight from your notes, whereas I always leave a face to face interview realizing that I forgot to mention something important!

Be as prepared for a phone interview as you are for an in-person interview! Make sure you've researched the company, and find out as much about the person you'll be talking to as possible. I know in some cases it can be distracting to have your computer in front of you, but I like having the company's webpage open and having the ability to Google something if I need to. I also keep my resume and cover letter in front of me so I know what they're referencing.

It can be hard to remain natural and not talk to much because there are awkward silences when they are writing notes, but when you've answered the question or made your point - stop talking! My downfall in phone interviews was talking just to fill the silence.

Good luck with any future interviews!