7 Tips How to Prepare for a Telephone Interview

While you’re job searching, it’s important to be prepared for a phone interview on a moment’s notice. More and more companies are conducting telephone interviews before deciding whom to invite for a face-to-face job interview. One advantage of a phone interview is that you don’t have to go to the company’s office. But that doesn’t mean you can avoid the preparations, warns British HR Expert Helen Menhenett of Fairplace Cedar, an outplacement company. What should you consider if you are invited to take part in a telephone interview? Here are 7 tips from her for a successful telephone interview.

1. Don’t be taken by surprise

“If you are not able to make some quiet time when the interviewers call, then set a time for the interview to take place,” writes Menhenett in The Guardian. Be sure you know whether the interviewer is calling you or if you need to make the call.

2. Find a quiet place and have your documents close by

“Make sure you won’t be interrupted and be sure to charge your phone in advance,” Menhenett writes. Keep a copy of your CV in clear view and all the other relevant information you might need, so it’s at your fingertips when you need to answer questions.

3. Do Some Research Before The Interview

“You should have some information from the prospective employer about the role and company. Think about answers you might give to their questions, particularly with regard to competency based questions. Do your research and prepare some questions to ask them exactly as you would for a regular interview,” Menhenett advises.

Here are some typical interview questions:

• Tell me about yourself and your experience
• Why do you want to work in this industry?
• Why do you want this role?
• Why do you want to work at this company in particular?
• Why should we hire you?
• What is your greatest achievement?
• Can you share any experience of when you managed a team?
• What do you do in your personal time?
• Tell me about a challenge you have faced and how you solved it
• Where do you see your career heading in the next five years?

4. Phone interviews are often shorter than in-person interviews

“It’s a good idea to ask at the start, if not before the interview, about the structure or sequence of the interview process so you know what to expect. If part of the process is going to be that you are offered a choice of topics to brainstorm, you don’t want to be taken by surprise.”

5. Stay calm and smile

“If you sound confused and disorganised, you might not get a second chance,” Menhenett says. “Smile when you talk on the telephone,” she adds. This can also be helpful to stand during the interview, since this typically gives your voice more energy, confident and enthusiasm.

6. Listen, slow down and don’t dominate the conversation

The interviewer may well have a set script of questions and while you may feel rushed, at some points, if the interviewer thinks they have the information they need they will want to move on. Be aware that they may be pushing you to answer as part of their interview technique. Listen carefully and if you don’t fully understand the question, ask for clarification.

7. Say thanks

Get the interviewer’s email address so that you can write a thank you note afterwards, Menhenett advises. This gives you a chance to remind the interviewer of your interest in job and to mention your qualifications again.

Do you have any other tips for effective telephone interview that you would like to suggest? We welcome your thoughts or questions in our comment box below.