Some employers may choose to conduct
a phone interview prior to or in lieu of a traditional
interview. A phone interview comes with it's own set of
benefits as well as challenges. To avoid blunders and
get the most out of your talk time read through our list
of tips before you pick up the phone.
Telephone Interview Tips
Avoid distractions. Try
to avoid a phone interview during your current employer's
working hours. Aim for an early evening interview or during
your lunch break when you can be away from your desk.
Choose a quiet spot where you won't hear another phone
ring or other outside noises.
Use a landline. Cell phone
signals can vary causing interruptions or dropped calls.
Avoid this by using a landline preferably not a cordless
where there can be static in the call. Clarity in the
conversation is essential.
Prepare notes. Write down
key words to questions you may be asked or questions you
may wish to ask your interviewer. It's important not to
write full sentences as you can sound like you are reading
them from a script. Instead, jot down words to refresh
your memory of things you may want to ask.
Do Your Homework. Too often
job seekers fail to properly prepare for telephone interviews
because they feel as if they can 'wing' certain common
questions. In fact, answers that lack detail or depth
may come across as more hollow on the phone than they
might in person despite the confidence of the job seeker!
A good rule of thumb- spend at least 3X more time preparing
for an interview than the interview itself is scheduled
to take.
Finish strongly. Your parting
words will linger with the interviewer more than your
opening words will, so chose them wisely. If you have
remained interested in the job opportunity as the telephone
interview winds down, be certain to ask what the next
steps in the hiring process are. You may even ask when
you can meet in person with the interviewer and suggest
a date and time. Never hang up without thanking each person
with whom you spoke; thank them for their time and reiterate
your interest in the position.
