Before a face-to-face meeting, phone interviews allow employers to check out candidates as to whether they suit before leading them further into the hiring process. To excel at a phone interview, the person needs to be good at communication, prepared, and professional. Below are a few tips to pass your phone interview.
1. Try To Prepare It Like an In-Person Interview
Don’t treat a phone interview like you would a different kind of interview. Research the Company, role and main points about the organisation. What you do need to be ready to tell them is why you are a good fit and prove to them that you know about their company.
2. Choose the Right Environment
Choose a silent, comfortable and free of distraction spot to make the call. If you can, make sure to have strong cell service, or else use a reliable landline. Tell others in your house not to interrupt you while you do the interview.
3. Have Your Materials Ready
Keep important documents within reach, including:
- Your resume and cover letter.
- Examples and a list of relevant achievements.
- Company notes and job description.
- The questions for the interviewer.
4. Practice Good Phone Etiquette
Start the call with a friendly greeting, like:
“Hello this is John Doe, good morning” Thank you for having time to talk to me today.”
Throughout the call:
- You must speak clearly and in a moderate pace.
- Only to avoid interrupting the interviewer until there is a pause, and then respond.
- Speak with polite language for example, ‘Yes,’ ‘certainly,’ ‘thank you.’
5. Be Mindful of Your Tone
Since the interviewer cannot see you, it also is especially important to consider your tone of voice.
- When you speak, smile as you do—it makes your voice sound more engaging and positive, naturally.
- Be enthusiastic and confident, but not too rehearsed.
6. Take Notes
Have a pad of paper and pen on hand to scribble down key points or questions while the call is in progress. Notetaking is a great deference from distractions and can prove useful down the line for follow up communications.
7. Clearly and concisely answer questions.
When answering questions:
You can use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your response to that behavioral question.
Show specific examples of your skills and experience.
Don’t ramble, and keep your answers sufficiently focused and to the mark.
8. Be Ready for Common Questions
Some common phone interview questions include:
- “Tell me about yourself.”
- “What do you want from this role?”
- “What past experience do you have, and what can you do?”
- “What’s it to you if I work for your company?”
In order to prepare for these questions, prepare concise and though responses to these questions in advance.
9. Ask Questions About the Role
At the end of the interview the interviewer might ask if you have any questions. Use this opportunity to show your interest in the position by asking thoughtful questions like:
- What does a ‘typical’ day look like in this role?
- “Which qualities make somebody a radical achievement in this position?”
- “The interview process sirs: What happens next?”
10. Check Your Technology
If you conduct the interview through phone conferencing software, you can be sure that your device, as well as your device’s internet, connection and microphone, are working properly. Whatever you want to do before the event, test it all on the day before (also to avoid technical issues).
11. Eliminate Background Noise
Close windows, turn off any noisy devices, and set your phone to silent (unless you’re using it for the interview). It makes sure the phone call is distraction free.
12. Act Professionally at all times
Be Punctual: Either be ready to answer call time or prompt to answer call.
Avoid Multitasking: Listen to the interviewer as you give him her your full attention.
Thank the Interviewer: After the call, thank them for their time and the ability to interview.
13. Follow Up After the Interview
After the interview, send out a thank you email within 24 hours. I ensure to mention the key points discussed during the call, state back my interest in the role, and thank the interviewer for his/her time.
Final Thoughts
While phone interviews don’t offer face to face interaction they are an important step of demonstrating your skills, personality and relationship with management teams – you basically put your best foot forward. However, by preparing thoroughly, staying focused, and also communicating effectively, you can make the strong impression that will help you move to the next stage of the hiring process.
Follow the mentioned tips for the phone interview.Wish you good luck with your phone interview!
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