First of all many Congratulations! Your phone interview is scheduled. Get in the preparation mode with the following phone interview advices.
- Set up the interview space
- Voice Tone and dressing
- Research before the interview
- Always remember to record the interview
- Keep Pen, Paper and your resume handy
- Prepare your own “cheat sheet”
- Don’t bring up salary
- Say thank you
Companies today are conducting phone interviews to short-list candidates before calling them for face-to-face interaction.
A phone interview has several benefits both for the candidate and employer. It is typically shorter than a face-to-face interview, allowing the interviewer to save the time.
Here are 8 phone interview tips to help you ace your phone interview:
1. Set up the Interview space
Companies normally inform you in advance on call or over email when they will be calling you. The first thing you need to think about is space. Please ensure to choose a room where you can speak without any disturbance. Shut out other noises like TV and radio, take the kids away and lock the room from inside. Ask your family members not to disturb you when the interview is going on.
2. Voice Tone and dressing
This may seem odd, but keep smiling! Though the interviewer cannot see you, it is not difficult to sense your mood over the phone. If you feel bright, happy and enthusiastic, this will reflect in your voice. Some experts also advice dressing for the interview. If you think this will put you in the right frame of mind for the interview, go right ahead and dress up into formal clothes.
3. Research before the interview
Do your homework before the interview, it will really be helpful.
Study the material beforehand and research properly about the company conducting the interview just like you do in a face-to-face interview. Trust me, Your in-depth knowledge about the company impress the interviewer.
For this, you can go to the website of the company or a known person from that company who can be the best to let you explore about the company.
4. Always remember to record the interview
During the telephonic interview, would be good to put the overall interview into the recording. By doing this, it will help you to recognize your mistakes, correct them and to keep in mind not to repeat it in future.
5. Keep Paper, Pen and your resume handy
Make sure you have paper and a pen for taking notes and ensure you have a copy of your resume, cover letter and the job description in front of you. (If you don’t have the job description anymore, ask the recruiter to send it to you when you are scheduling the phone interview)
6. Prepare your own “cheat sheet”
One of the best benefits of a phone interview is invisibility. Prepare for expected questions in advance and note down points on a piece of paper. Write legibly and clearly because you will be referring to it under pressure.
Always practice the answers to expected questions beforehand and prepare for any question that may arise during interview as well.
7. Don’t bring up salary discussion
It will be too early at this stage to bring up discussion on salary and perks . The company is yet to make decision on your suitability for the job. Salary discussions generally take place in the final stage of the recruitment process. So just wait and let the company to initiate this discussion.
8. Say thank you
Please do not forget to say thank you, even if the interview has gone very bad. Some experts even recommend sending a short thank you email to the interviewer same day or at least a day after the interview.