How to Get a Job Through the Phone Interview ?
Before you get a job, you must pass the phone interview. This is just part of the job hunt - and must be done properly. The issue is many college grads who are looking for jobs have no clue how to handle job interviews! Watch this video to find out how to answer interview questions, fix your voice and tone, and succeed in the phone interview. When you're done watching, browse our other content!
Telephone interview tips
Here are some tips on how to ace a telephone interview.
Do make sure you don’t have a silly voicemail or answering machine message.
Don't make them think you’re crazy and/or unprofessional before you even get to do the interview.
Do get someone on the phone before the big day so you can practise going through some of your answers.
Don't talk to a friend during the interview. Make sure call-waiting is deactivated and do the interview in a quiet place where you won’t be interrupted.
Do conduct the interview on a landline.
Don't rely on a mobile – they can be a little unpredictable.
Do get out of bed, have a shower and get dressed.
Don't wear a ratty pair of pyjamas. The interviewer won't be able to see your teddy bear-covered boxers, but you will feel and sound more professional if you make an effort to look sharp.
Do take advantage of the fact the interviewer can't see you. Have your resume and notes on stand-by so you can refer to them.
Don't write out your answers word for word and recite them parrot-fashion.
Do speak clearly and concisely. It can be more difficult to understand people over the phone.
Don't be scared of silence. Rambling to fill in the vacant airwaves is not going to get you anywhere – they are probably considering your response or getting ready to ask the next question.
Do smile as you speak – it will make you sound warm and enthusiastic.
Don't be tempted to guzzle food during the interview – if you tend to eat when you are nervous, make sure you put the custard tarts in the other room.
Do finish off the interview by asking questions about the job and the company and thanking the interviewer for their time.
Don't think that because it's a phone interview you can skip the usual formalities.
Nailing a phone interview
The day of the big job interview has arrived. You crawl out of bed with five minutes to spare and pick some fluff off your tracksuit pants before plonking yourself down on the couch with the telephone.
There is a good chance you will be interviewed for a job via the phone at some point in your career, so it’s important to master the technique of talking the talk when you’re not required to walk the walk.
An organisation may choose to interview over the phone as part of a preliminary selection process or because it’s geographically more convenient.
The biggest trap you can fall into is not ‘turning up’. Just because you won’t be physically going into the office doesn’t mean you should take it any less seriously.
Make sure you do your research just as you would for any other job interview. Find out as much as you can about the company and think about possible answers to questions. One of the benefits of doing it over the phone is that you can have your resume and notes on standby to refer to when the pressure is on. Jot down things you would like to say but be careful not to read your answers or it will sound unnatural. Also have a pen and paper handy so you can keep track of any important things they say during the interview.
While you don’t need to worry about which tie to wear, or whether your shoes are polished – smartening yourself up can be an important way of psyching yourself into the right professional mentality. Have a shower, get out of your pyjamas and drag a comb through your hair – your head will be in a much better place for wooing the employer. If you look professional, you are more likely to sound professional!
Your surroundings are even more important. Your potential boss wants to hear what you have to say, rather than kids crying, dogs barking and TVs blaring in the background. Find a quiet place where you won’t be distracted and make sure your mobile is turned off! Don’t conduct the interview on a mobile if possible – it can be difficult to hear the person you are talking to and you might lose the connection.
Think about how you can give a stellar performance and build up a rapport without the face-to-face tricks. Using the employer’s name during the course of the interview and smiling when you talk are the telephone equivalents of a firm handshake and eye contact. Make sure you speak clearly and concisely as it can be more difficult to interpret a person without body language – also try to make your tone vibrant and dynamic so the interviewer can get a sense of your character.
At the end of the interview, thank the interviewer for their time and say you hope to meet them in person. Follow it up with an email of thanks to let them know you are keen and to keep yourself fresh in their mind.
