Phone Interview Tips: How to be Successful at Telephone Interviews

"Successful phone Interviews... Know what to say and how to say it. Avoid common mistakes and find out what interviewers look for..."

A phone interview (commonly referred to as a phone screen) is almost identical as a face-to-face interview: a lot of the questions will be the same, both enable employers to judge how well you communicate, how prepared you are and to assess your suitability for the role.

But there are two big differences:

• You only have your voice to communicate with

• Phone screens are meant to screen people out whereas face-to-face interviews are meant to screen someone in

Phone interviews are common place now- they are faster and cheaper for employers to whittle down the numerous applicants for limited roles.

The goal for you is to survive the phone interview and get yourself an interview face to face.

Below are some essentials to make the most of this opportunity- before, during and after the phone interview.

BEFORE: Prepare, Print, Practical’s and Practise!

Prepare for a phone interview as thoroughly as for a regular interview- intelligent preparation can make all the difference between success and failure: see our related information on:

Job Interview Preparation Blog

Top 10 Interview Questions

These will still apply on the phone as well as in person.

However, a phone interview enables you to print out and have in front of you:

• Your completed application form and CV- the same version your interviewer has

• The job description and/or person specification

• Your own notes and reminders of key things you want to get across...don’t write out in full sentences, as you do not want to come across as reading a script- but key words could be a good memory jogger

• Questions you have prepared to ask the interviewer-

Questions are your primary tool of influence with an interviewer. They help you direct the conversation and assess if the company is right for you. 

Practical’s for Phone Interviews

Eat a cough drop before you take the call to relax your voice.

Have water handy.

Have pen and paper ready to be able to take notes- your diary could also be helpful

Protect your environment: make sure you will not be disturbed- turn off the TV and ipod, settle the children, put the dog out of the room... turn your mobile off- in case it starts ringing while you are on the landline.

Show your interviewer that you respect their time and this potential role

Practise before the phone Interview:

• Speaking slowly, fluently and enunciating words carefully. Record yourself into a recorder- apps widely available on smartphones

• Replace ‘ahs’ and ‘erms’ with pauses

• Rehearse your answers to the common type of questions

• Ask a friend or family member to conduct a mock phone interview with you- and ideally record it so you can go back and review it

DURING THE PHONE INTERVIEW:

The rules of first impressions still apply on the phone. Annie Stevens a managing partner at a Boston executive coaching firm says “The first five minutes of a phone interview are the most important, since only about 2 out of 10 people will still be under consideration beyond that.”

1) Be enthusiastic: smile while you talk- it really does make a difference to the image you project to the listener and the tone of your voice! Your voice is replacing body language- inject inflection into your speaking voice- monotone will be off-putting

2 Call on time: if you are required to ring them, do not do it too early and certainly not late. If they are busy, make sure you leave a message as evidence that you have called on time. Unfortunately they may not necessarily ring you on time- but that is their prerogative.

3) Use a landline wherever possible: no matter how reliable your mobile phone normally is, a broken line or being cut off is a big no-no. Also disable call-waiting- the bleeps can be a big distraction and throw your focus. If you do have to use your mobile ensure the battery is fully charged.

4)Be persuasive: your goal is to get a face-to-face interview. You will need to sell yourself, just as much in a phone interview as a personal one. Don’t lost sight of the goal. Answer succinctly, politely and avoid slang and colloquialisms at all costs. Imagine the interviewer in front of you- sometimes getting their picture from the internet and putting it in front of you can be a useful tip.

5) Reschedule if necessary: if they call without notice and it is not convenient, just tell them and reschedule. However, make sure you get all the relevant information needed, confirm who will call who, timings etc...make sure you get their name correctly and how to contact them.

6) Match your style to the interviewer’s: If the interviewer uses lots of technical terms and industry jargon so should you, if you know what they mean! If it becomes clear that your interviewer is a general recruiter- you will need to convey your broader skills set to them- they are not so interested in the technical aspects of the role, but will you fit into the company and your general personality traits.

7) Never interrupt- be a conversationalist: count to two or three seconds after the interviewer stops talking before you start. Don’t be afraid of short silences- the interviewer will expect you to take some time to gather you thoughts. Listen properly- acknowledge them with the occasional supportive noise... use their name correctly- never use first names unless they suggest it... drop in the company’s name occasionally.

8) Avoid negative words: be positive, confident. Show that you are a problem solver not a problem maker.

9) Consider your voice, posture, appearance and body language:

DO

Answer the phone professionally- “Hello, this is Jane or Hello, Ashik speaking”

Wear suitable clothes- as if they could see you. It helps you get into the role

Speak while standing up or walking around- it makes a difference to the projection and quality of your voice

DON’T

Smoke, chew gum, eat or drink while on the phone- but do have water handy

10) Ask questions: remember to ask your questions that you have prepared beforehand.

At the end of the interview:

Be ready to recap your ‘fit’ for the job- have a 30 second summary of why you’re right for this role.

Clarify the next steps:

• When can you expect to hear from them?

• Do you have permission to contact them if you have not heard from them in an agreed time?

• Make sure you have all their exact contact details