5 Steps To Nailing A Phone Interview

No matter how stellar your qualifications are, it’s the interview that can make or break you. It’s becoming more common for employers to conduct intensive Q&A sessions over the phone. Telephone interviews need to be approached differently than face-to-face meetings, so it’s in your best interest to know how to handle them.

1. When scheduling the interview, make sure you can absolutely take the call. Look at your schedule and make at least two hours of space for the interview; you need to prep and there’s no way to know how long you’ll talk.

If the interviewer asks you to choose the time, be aware of the company’s operating hours — this information can be found on their website or simply by asking the email correspondent. Shoot for earlier call times so you can be one of the earliest voices they hear in the day.

2. Find a quiet space wherever you are: your bedroom, a study room or an unused office. If others are around you, let them know you aren’t to be disturbed for a while. Nothing screams, “NEXT!” like your roommate barging in and half-yelling at you while you’re on the phone with a potential employer.

3. Notes are necessary for both phone and in-person interview. Research what you can on the job description, company, interviewer if you know their name, and common questions. Be prepared to answer questions about a recent challenge, any prior skills or related knowledge how to perform the job, and what you’re looking for by applying to the position.

4. Always be the best that you can be. It’s also important to be polite and keep the conversation professional. Even if the interview doesn’t lead to an offer, the hiring manager is more likely to keep you in mind for future openings if you make the effort to leave a good impression.

5. Act Professional:
Just because they are the employer doesn’t mean that you need to go at their pace. You are part of the conversation, introduce yourself confidently and ask them to introduce themselves. Note down their name, position and contact details (especially email, essential for step no.6). Clarify questions, take your time to answer, start with your summary paragraph and then proceed to provide as much information as possible.