8 Phone Interview Tips To Help You Land That New Job
Originally published by Forbes.
While so much happens by videoconference these days, interviews still occasionally take place over the phone, such as the case with the initial phone screen, which is often conducted by the recruiter before a candidate is passed on to the hiring manager or other interviewers.
To increase your chances of success with a phone interview, use the following tips to help you advance in the process to land a new job (Note: these apply equally to video interviews):
Prepare your technology, and practice with it
If you are not taking the call on an old-fashioned landline, make sure both your cell phone and ear buds are fully charged. If they are calling you, check that your phone is off silent and do-not-disturb mode. You’ll also want to verify that your location has good cell phone reception.
Beyond this technical equipment check, do some mock interviews via phone to get feedback on your voice quality, warmth, and how you are interacting verbally with the other person. Is your voice clear and confident, or is it stilted, monotone, or low energy?
Make sure to pause appropriately
Given that there are no visual cues available during a phone interview, there’s an increased likelihood of “stepping on each other” when speaking, which can create some awkwardness or feel like you’re interrupting each other. “Taking a beat” or allowing for appropriate pauses is especially important in a phone interview to create space for the other person to respond. This same strategy of pausing before speaking can also help you to make sure the other person is finished speaking, so that you don’t inadvertently interrupt your interviewer.
Schedule when you’ll have no interruptions or distractions
Try to schedule time when you know you will be in a quiet, comfortable space and are not expecting the plumber to arrive or will have any other distractions. Likewise, don’t have food or beverages on your desk — the last thing you want is your coffee to spill and throw you off in the middle of the interview. However, you might have a sealed water bottle nearby in case your mouth gets too dry or to calm a cough.
Have relevant materials available
One significant benefit of a phone interview is you can have materials in front of you to ensure that you come across as prepared as possible. Be organized so that you aren’t scrambling to find what you need in the moment. Here’s a list of what you should have within reach:
Tabs on your computer open with the LinkedIn profile of the person you are talking to and the company website
A copy of your resume
A copy of the job description
Notes on points you want to be sure to communicate about your qualifications and experience
Something to take notes with
Questions you have for the interviewer, prioritized in case you don’t have time for all of them
Your calendar (so you can schedule the next interview!)
A way to check the time (to make sure you stay on schedule and leave ample time for questions)
Arrive early
As with an in-person interview, you’ll want to “arrive” about 5-10 minutes early to allow yourself to calm any nerves and get centered. A few deep breaths can help you shake off any jitters and get present so that you’re ready to focus on the conversation.
Dress professionally
You might ask, “What’s the difference, if they can’t see me?” The difference is that you’ll feel more confident, qualified, and professional if you’re dressed for the part. If you’re un-showered in your sweats, you’ll feel sloppy or like you’re hiding something and will not likely show up as your best self.
Maintain good posture
Sitting upright with good posture will help you project greater confidence. Conversely, poor posture can impair respiratory support for your voice and cause vocal fatigue. You can also try standing up while speaking to the interviewer. Standing up during a conversation not only increases your level of alertness, voice projection, and sense of control, but also makes you more focused and engaged in the conversation. Just be sure not to pace back and forth!
Be positive
People are attracted to positive energy. Connecting with others can be a bit harder over the phone without visual cues. So, being friendly and having a positive, upbeat tone in your voice (without being insincere or pollyanna) can give people the impression that you’d be enjoyable to work with.
While there are a myriad of factors that go into a strong interview performance, employing the tips above will help ensure your phone interview goes smoothly so you can advance in the process land a new job.