In general, companies conduct phone interviews for two main reasons. The first is to screen candidates in a cost-effective and expedient fashion- in other words, to eliminate unqualified candidates. The second reason is to screen candidates who are located in faraway cities/states (it’s more cost effective to phone interview candidates rather than fly them in for face-to-face interviews).
Being well-prepared for a phone interview is equally as important as being prepared for an in-person interview. How well you do on the phone interview will determine your chances for being called back for a follow up interview. Since the interviewer can’t physically see you, you will have to work twice as hard to come across as competent, confident, professional and likeable.
The laundry list for preparation is long and important since phone interviews are typically short and you will have only one chance to make a great first impression. The time you put into preparation will result in better chances of moving to the next step in the interview cycle.
Word of Caution: If you can help it, don’t agree to a specific phone interview time if you think you will be distracted or stressed or hurried. You need to be in a calm and pleasant state.
Before the phone interview, give yourself time to prepare:
ENVIRONMENT
- Choose an area with good reception
- Find a quiet location where you can sit comfortably without distractions
- Use ear buds so that your hands are free for note taking or looking up information on the net
- If you have roommate/family members/others around you, let them know about your interview. Ask them to leave the area and not interrupt you during the duration of the call
- Be sure that dogs, birds, etc., are in other rooms where they can’t be heard
- Practice how you will answer questions (be prepared to answer any questions related to your resume such as work history, managerial responsibilities, technology use, etc.)
- Be prepared to take call several minutes in advance- in case interviewer calls earlier than scheduled
HAVE ON HAND
- Customized resume and cover letter you submitted for the position
- Copy of the job description for which you are interviewing
- Notes from your company research
- List of questions you want to ask if given the opportunity
- A computer-in case interviewer directs you to something on the internet or company website
PHONE INTERVIEW ETIQUETTE
- Unless you absolutely have to, don’t put caller on speaker
- Smile as you answer the phone and state your name: “hello, this is Jane”
- Sit upright
- Listen carefully before responding
- Do not cut off the interviewer. Let him/her complete questions first before answering
- Be concise with your answers
- Sometimes the interviewer will ask multiple questions at a time. Listen, and be sure you respond accordingly to each question
- If you are not sure your response was adequate (based on lack of reaction from interviewer), politely ask, “Did I answer the question to your satisfaction or would you like me to elaborate?”
- When asked if you have experience in a specific area, don’t simply reply with a “yes”, give a brief example from past work experience to illustrate your point
- Take notes for future follow up interviews
TOPICS NOT TO BRING UP DURING PHONE INTERVIEW
The phone interview stage is a bit premature to bring up certain topics, for example:
- Salary: Unless the interviewer discusses salary, don’t bring up pay rate at this point (some interviewers get turned off, thinking money is the only thing you care about)
- Work schedule: Don’t say things such as “I would have to leave early on Fridays to pick up my child from day care”.
- Vacation Days: Don’t ask “how many days per year are employees given vacation days” (you might give the impression that you are more interested in taking time off than working)
AT CONCLUSION OF PHONE INTERVIEW
Once interviewer is ready to wrap up the discussion, consider asking:
1. Have I answered your questions to your satisfaction? Is there anything I can further clarify?
2. Would you like me to send you samples of my work? (if you are in marketing, graphic design, etc., it’s a good idea to offer up samples of work for review)
- Thank them for their time
- Let them know that they are welcome to reach out to you if they need additional information or have any further questions
- If you are working through a recruiting agency, don’t follow up with the employer directly. Follow up with the recruiter instead
If you prepare well, rather than wing the interview, the process should be fairly seamless and your chances of leaving a favorable impression high.
