How to Have a Successful Phone Interview

Important Tips for Landing an In-Person Interview

Oct 14, 2009

Many job seekers tend to blow off the phone interview, believing it to be so easy that it doesn't require preparation. This may be a fatal mistake - here's why.

Employers typically schedule a preliminary phone interview with potential candidates before bringing them in. For the company, the conversation screens the person for potential red flags in terms of skills and experience; for the candidate, it provides him or her with a cursory look at the company and the requirements of the position.

Many job seekers don’t take the the telephone screening seriously – after all, they are at home and can can kick back, relax, and sip some latte while getting a feel for the position. While such a casual attitude may be tempting, it may end up biting the candidate in the foot. Here are some important phone interview tips to keep in mind while chatting with potential employers.

Eliminate Distractions

Before the phone interview, eliminate all potential distractions. A distracted tone sends the message that the candidate is easily flustered and may not be able to focus on critical tasks. Find a private location such as a bedroom, basement, attic, home office, or a closet, and close the door. If the home is too noisy and distracting, the garage, back porch, or even the family car will suffice.

Tell children to respect the request for privacy. Consider sending them outside to play, or have a friend or spouse take them out for ice cream. Make sure all television sets, radios, and other electronic devices are turned off. Last but not least, secure pets – a curious cat that lies down on a resume or portfolio when talking to the employer will cause distraction, as will a barking dog that wants to play.

Get Off the Couch

While talking to friends and family, it’s normal to sit on the couch or in a cozy recliner and chat away. But while conversing with potential employers, it’s the last thing a candidate should do. Sitting back and relaxing results in a slower, more relaxed voice which signals to the employer that the person may be lazy, ineffectual, unprofessional, and slow.

Replace the cozy spot on the couch by standing up and walking around, as if hosting an important business presentation. That way, the voice becomes more confident and proactive, signaling to the employer that the candidate is a motivated go-getter who can get the job done.

How to Answer Interview Questions

During the phone interview, the candidate should directly answer all questions with clarity, focus, and confidence. Answer "yes" or "no" without hesitation and without long-winded explanations. The tendency is to go off into directions that may be irrelevant, or that may even harm the person’s chances for an in-person face-to-face. For example, if asked whether the person knows a specific software application:

Remember to speak confidently. Say the words, “I can” often (e.g., “Absolutely – as an experienced technical writer, I can quickly develop clear and concise end user manuals for telecommunications systems”). At the end of the interview, be sure to confirm the interviewer’s email address for the thank you letter and status updates on the position.

Send a Thank You Letter

Though the phone interview is a preliminary screening, the candidate should still send the employer a follow-up thank you letter. This can be done in the form of an email summarizing the conversation and highlighting job skills, accomplishments, and fit for the position.

For the employer, the goal of the phone interview is to screen potential candidates before bringing them in. For the job seeker, the goal is to garner a face-to-face with the company in order to wow hiring managers with an effective presentation of job skills, abilities, and accomplishments. By eliminating distractions, walking around during the conversation, effectively answering questions, and sending a thank you letter, the job seeker can walk into any phone interview with confidence.

The copyright of the article How to Have a Successful Phone Interview in Job Interview Skills is owned by Daniel Gansle. Permission to republish How to Have a Successful Phone Interview in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.