5 AT LEAST 30 MINUTES BEFORE A SCHEDULED TELEPHONE INTERVIEW • Turn off the radio, stereo and television • Try to disable any "call waiting" or other phone features that produce sound • Put the dog outside, or take other steps to prevent it from barking • Dress in appropriate attire; you will feel more professional in appropriate clothes • Go into a quiet room to take the call • Make sure you have a writing surface and materials for taking notes • Gather the information you researched on the company as well as your resume and cover letter • Put your cheat sheet of answers to anticipated questions on the desk beside you • Smile! It will help you keep a positive attitude throughout the interview VIDEO CONFERENCE OR VIDEO PHONE INTERVIEW It is fairly common for businesses to use video conferencing to interview job applicants. As with in-person interviews, you must speak clearly, dress appropriately and present yourself in a professional manner. PROPER ATTIRE Dress professionally as if you were going to a traditional interview, but avoid wearing striped patterns, plaid or all white. These patterns and colors sometimes generate poor picture quality over video. KNOW THE MATERIAL Learn as much as you can about the company or business. Study any background information or material that was given to you. PRACTICE Before the video conference interview, practice with the technology you will be using for the interview to get used to controlling your facial expressions and body language. Record yourself, or practice in front of a mirror or friend. See if you are shaking your leg, acting nervously or doing anything else that may be distracting to the interviewer. Note your vocal pitch, speech patterns and if you speak too low or too fast. DAY OF THE INTERVIEW Make sure the background you are sitting against isn't distracting on the other end of the video conference. If you have notes, don't read from them during the interview – glance at them only if you need to. Speak in your normal, natural voice and make eye contact with the camera. Make sure you smile and show your enthusiasm. Don't sit too close to the camera or watch yourself on the monitor. Keep your body movements to a minimum and if you do move in your seat, do it slowly. Rapid movements will look jerky on the other end of the video conference. EMPLOYMENT TESTING Some employers use tests or other tools as part of their screening process. In most instances, these are used as part of the pre-screening process, but sometimes they are given after someone is hired. Here are some of the types of tools employers may use: ABILITY TESTING: Predicts future success in job training and worker performance. SKILLS TESTING: Measures specific competency and ability within a particular job. PERSONALITY AND INTEREST INVENTORY: Assesses the underlying characteristics of individuals to determine if they would be successful within certain types of jobs.. HONESTY OR INTEGRITY TESTING: Employers are particularly concerned about hiring honest employees when their job responsibilities include handling cash or merchandise. MEDICAL EXAMINATION: Determines if you have a physical condition which would prevent you from performing the job, or establishes medical history prior to start date. DRUG TESTING: Indicates when someone is using illegal drugs. An increasing number of companies are using drug tests to screen candidates for all job categories, including managers and professionals.
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