Work At Home Safari

Job interviews can be quite nerve wracking and one for a telecommuting position can be even tougher.  With some proper preparation, you’ll boost your confidence and go into that interview ready to impress.  Here are a few tips to do just that:

Plan ahead.

This may seem obvious, but it’s extremely important.  An interview for a work-at-home job will most likely be over the phone so you need to think about your environment.  When the interviewer calls, it’s important to answer the phone promptly and make sure your phone reception is clear, and there are no distracting or loud background noise.  The interviewer will most likely be taking notes, so as a courtesy, don’t speak too quietly or quickly.  Not only will the interviewer be interested in your work history, he or she will also be paying attention to what his or her clients will be experiencing when dealing with you.

Do your homework.

Do your homework before the interview.  Learn about the company and the position you’re interviewing for.  Also, if you know who the interviewer will be, do a little research on him or her too. Most importantly, review your resume and be familiar with your work experiences. Be ready to support past career accomplishments with specific information about how the experience relates to the position you are applying for.

Make eye contact.

You’re probably wondering how this relates to a phone interview.  Eye contact is a sign of honesty and confidence, but it’s impossible to do that over the phone, so think about how your voice sounds.  By listening carefully to the questions and answering confidently and concisely, you will be able to make virtual eye contact with your interviewer.  A couple of common interview questions are “Why do you want to work from home?” or “Why do you feel you are qualified for the position?”  Think about these answers ahead of time and be professional.  A good answer would not be that you’re unemployed or want to stay home to take care of your kids.  Your answer should involve the position and how you will benefit the company.  The attitude you want to convey throughout the call, is the fact that you can get the job done and do it better than anyone else. Remember, the interviewer on the phone can only hear your voice so exude confidence through your voice and answers.  Any hesitation may result in a lost opportunity.

Tip:  Try role playing with a friend or family member.  It will give you good practice in answering questions concisely and calm your nerves.

Always ask the interviewer questions.

At the end of the interview, 99.9% of interviewers will ask you, “Do you have any questions for me?”  Your answer must always be “yes”.  Answering “no” to that question, basically translates to you not wanting the job.  The key to impressing the interviewer is having prior knowledge of the company and job.  It shows you are genuinely interested and took time to learn more.  Make the interviewer aware that you know your stuff by asking detailed questions related to your position.  For example, let’s say you read an article in the newspaper about a work at home initiative in four new markets the company announced 2 weeks ago.  Use that specific article in your question by asking, “I read in the Daily Times two weeks ago that you’re launching the work at home initiative in four new markets.  I’m curious to find out about the time frame for advancement while working from home.” This tells the interviewer that you understand the job and the company; while hinting at your interest in staying with the company long-term.

You are not alone when it comes to being nervous during an interview, but as long as you’re qualified and prepared, you have nothing to worry about.  Take this opportunity to sell yourself and learn more about the job.  The key is being confident, concise, and sincere.  Remember, pick your phone interview environment carefully, do your homework and be knowledgeable about yourself and the job, stay positive and confident, and you’ll get the job!

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