I Was Flattered...

I can't thank my referral enough today. Today was a rare occasion indeed, and it started with an SMS...

Bro, P***** M***** is looking for a Branch Manager in Kuantan. Thought you might be interested.

I don't know how to react to it. 

It seems like my days in the Pharmaceutical Industry are still fresh. 

But maybe one SMS was not enough. A few minutes after that...

Bro, A*I******** is also looking for a Branch Manager for East Coast. Why don't you give it a shot?

Gosh!

Could there be a third one?

Nope. Two only this time Jose.

This time I wasted no time and straight away gave my referral a call.

"Hey. What's up, Bro?"
"Yo. I knew you would call."
"Ok. What's the deal here? What's in it for you? I know you..."
"Not this time Bro. I got enough bricks on my back already. But seriously, give it a shot first."
"Which one?"
"Dumb. Both la..."
"Ok. Can we talk on Wednesday? Usual time, usual place?"
"Call me..."

Tonight, the Regional Manager for A*I******** called.

"Is this Nazrul?"
"Speaking. Whose on the line?" the phone number was not registered in my phone book.
"This is R from A*I********. Is it Ok to talk now?"
"Yeah sure. What can I do for you, Sir?"

And we spoke for about fifteen minutes. 

We've also set an appointment for Wednesday. 

A breakfast appointment (finally I get to wear my new Van Heussen sleeve I bought during Parkson Grand sale!).

I knew that was a 'screening call.' 

Didn't I mention sometime back that I will address a successful phone interview? 

Hmm... should I do it now?

Phone interviews or phone screenings actually is easy to succeed. 

Remember, the primary purpose of phone screening is to secure a 'face-to-face' interview. 

That's it. 

Don't try to obtain the job straight away no matter how tempting it is. 

But if you want to, I won't stop you.

I just thought it's best to secure the 'face-to-face' interview first and works things out from there merely because:

• You want to know who you will be working with
• Their overall temperament will tell you their compatibility and 'team spirit' (hope you still remember)
• Your chance to create an impression (there will be the second interview, always)

By creating an 'impeccable' impression, you're assured the right word out to the upper management.

That, in turn, will be your strong point or advantage if they ever call you for the next interview (they always will, without fail).

That's my thought when it comes to phone screening.

You can choose to secure the job straight away, and that's natural, but you might miss a few nitty-gritty which could easily add up as something 'significant.' 

For me, I would instead discover first hand that the people I'll work with is a Tiger, Horse, Pig, or Monkey. 

Having to find out later is just a waste. 

But I don't know about you...

And to avoid, at all times, by all means, a phone screening that is poorly executed. 

Like one of my friend experience the other day.

The company called Mad (not his real name, just his state of mind ;) and set a time for a phone interview at 2.00 PM. 

Mad thought, this would be an excellent opportunity to create a lasting first impression since he'll be interviewed by the company's National Sales Manager. 

Meaning... 

...he already bypassed one level, Area Manager level. 

"Good!", he thought.

Sure enough, when the clock struck 2, the company call. 

But surprised, surprised... 

...the NSM was joined by two other persons. 

Both were managers from the company's regional HQ. And both are from The State. 

Huh!

I can imagine the peculiarity Mad was in at that moment. 

And that's not the best part...

The call was directed to Mad handphone. 

Handphone my friend is well known for 'behaving' strangely especially during the urgent call (you know what I mean). 

And that day, the phone 'decide' for them when it wanted their conversation to end. 

Three times in a row!

Imagine if you will need the hassle and embarrassment.

Finally, the NSM said, "We'll call you back on Monday." 

It was on Thursday. 

What if they find a better candidate later that day or the day after?

Rest assured, Monday's call will be just a formality.

Learn from Mad. 

Give them a fixed-line number and ASK let them know on the outset that you're not comfortable with 'added' VIP participants. 

They will understand, and as a matter of fact, ethically, they should inform Mad beforehand that those VIPs will join the interview (I did say morally right?).

But what if you're in Mad situation?

Simple. Use the 'fix' phone line.

So much for Mad's lasting impression...