Picking up the phone to interview potential candidates is much more common than it used to be. Phone interviews are beneficial to both parties – they save time and money. If a company or recruiter want to find out more about a candidate, they’ll probably use a telephone interview as a starting point and decide from there whether it’s worth arranging a face-to-face interview. Although a telephone interview may feel more informal, you need to be as prepared as you would be for a face-to-face interview.
If you’ve never had a phone interview before, or, maybe you’re just unsure how to go about one, we’ve put together our top 10 tips to help you get by!
Prepare
In failing to prepare, you prepare to fail. With that in mind, take time out before your interview to research the company. Your interviewer will likely ask you what you already know about the company; make sure that you have gathered enough information beforehand to give a detailed and informed answer.
Make a list of potential interview questions and prepare a bullet-pointed answer to each. If your mind goes blank, having this list in front of you will jog your memory and prevent you from tripping up.
Have everything you need at the ready
Have a copy of your CV, contact numbers, email addresses and any other information that you may be asked for at arms reach while on the phone. It’s normal to experience a dry mouth or sore throat whilst interviewing, so have a glass of water in front of you too.
Take note
Make sure you have a notepad and pen handy. Taking notes throughout the interview will help you to remember any important information given. Notes taken during your interview will help you to prepare for a second interview.
Think about your surroundings
Background noise is unprofessional and may distract you. If your telephone interview has been arranged beforehand, make sure you have a quiet space ready. Tell your housemates to be quiet, arrange your children to be in somebody else’s care and lock your pets in a separate room.
Telephone interviews aren’t always pre-empted. If your interviewer calls and catches you off guard, ask if it would be possible to rearrange the interview.
Answer with confidence
How you answer the phone will say a lot to your interviewer. Accept the call clearly and confidently, especially if your interview hasn’t been arranged and you receive a call from an unknown number.
Adjust your tone of voice
During a face-to-face interview, body language, facial expressions and eye contact are just a few of the things that give the interviewer a clue about your character. Over the phone, the only thing your interviewer has to go off is your voice. Speak loudly and clearly, and try to control the speed that you talk.
It’s easy to sound wooden over the phone so picture yourself in front of your interviewer and respond using body language and facial expressions as you would in their company. In doing so, you will sound more natural and expressive.
Get to the point
Try to avoid hesitating, waffling and awkward silences. Equally, not addressing the question and repeating yourself will put off your interviewer.
Never interrupt
Always allow your interviewer to finish what they are saying. Remember that they are the one in control of the conversation. Don’t be afraid of small pauses before you begin to answer their questions – it’s completely natural to take a few seconds to compose your thoughts.
Use appropriate language
It’s easy to fall into the trap of using inappropriate language and slang whilst on the phone. Don’t say anything over the phone to your interviewer that you wouldn’t say in person.
Ask questions
As with a face-to-face interview, interviewers often give candidates the opportunity to ask them questions. Asking questions is a great way to show your interviewer that you are genuinely interested in the role being offered.
Always end on a positive note
Thank your interviewer for their time and express your interest in the role. It’s also good to send a follow-up email reiterating this. Don’t be afraid to ask what the next steps are, even if you don’t know whether or not you have been successful.