In the “good old days,” you applied for a position and, if you were qualified, you were invited into the employer’s office for an interview. Not today. As a Sacramento medical employment agency, we’re seeing more and more organizations setting up phone interviews first, as a way to screen out candidates. So what can you do to prepare for your phone interview and move onto the next step in the hiring process? Here are some suggestions:

Be prepared.

Just because you’re not going to the employer’s office, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t follow proper interview protocol. So be prepared. Research the medical organization you are interviewing with and prepare answers to some commonly asked interview questions. Also, keep copies of your resume, cover letter, and the job description next to you in case you need them for reference.

Create talking points.

If you have certain areas in your background you’d like to highlight, create a list of talking points so you don’t forget to bring any of them up. One of the benefits of a phone interview is that the person interviewing you can’t see you – or your list.

Don’t use your cell phone.

Cell phone calls get dropped, so use your land line to avoid getting disconnected. If you have call waiting, turn this feature off so you don’t get interrupted or distracted. Also, if you keep your cell phone nearby, turn it to vibrate or turn it off completely so the interviewer can’t hear it if it rings.

Remove distractions.

If you have distractions at home, such as children or pets, make sure to remove them ahead of time. Don’t assume that just because your toddler usually takes a nap or plays quietly around your interview time that they will cooperate on the big day. By removing any distractions, you won’t be stressed out about the possibility of getting interrupted.

Remain focused.

Remaining focused during a phone interview can be hard, especially if the person interviewing you is doing most of the talking. To help you, take notes during the interview. Resist the urge to drift off or to surf the web during the interview.

Keep a glass of water nearby.

If you get a tickle in your throat, you don’t have to worry about putting the interviewer on hold to get a glass of water.

Stand and smile.

By standing during the interview, you’ll sound more confident and project a positive a image. In addition, though it sounds corny, smiling can also create a more enthusiastic impression.

Try to assess your chances.

Once you’ve answered all the interviewer’s questions, try to get a sense of what you can expect next. For instance, ask what the process is for deciding who to interview face-to-face and what the time-line is.

And if you need help finding a medical job, please contact Pacific Staffing. As an experienced medical employment agency in Sacramento, California, we’re your source for top jobs in the medical field.