Some companies may choose phone interviews first, then go to in-person interviews when they have narrowed down the candidate pool. Therefore, you need to be well-prepared yourself for a phone interview to increase your chance of being hired by the company you want.
Here are some phone interview tips that you can use:
Contents
- 1. Confirm The Scheduled Time
- 2. Ask Who Will Interview You
- 3. Ask What Questions The Caller Will Ask Before the Interview
- 4. Research the Company and the Position You’re Applying for
- 5. Be Professional
- 6. Create A Professional Environment
- 7. Be Enthusiastic
- 8. Listen Carefully
- 9. Prepare for Common Phone Interview Questions
- 10. Answer The Questions to the Point
- 11. Ask Questions
1. Confirm The Scheduled Time
If the hiring manager thinks you may be suitable for their position when looking through your resume, he or she will call you to ask if you still have interest in their position. If you answer is yes, then your both will arrange a time for the phone interview.
During this conversation, the hiring manager will ask you which day and time would be best for you (the interviewer), so that you can confirm whether you are available at that moment or not.
If you are not available, try to offer an alternative time but if both of your schedules don’t match, then you can choose another candidate. Therefore, as soon as you know that the company is interested in your resume, start clearing your schedule for the interview.
2. Ask Who Will Interview You
When you know the scheduled time for the phone interview, it is also important to ask who will be interviewing you. If it is the hiring manager, then you should prepare some answers based on his or her position in the company.
For example, if he or she is in charge of the budget, you can talk about how well you handle money and how you are always looking for ways to save the company money. If the interviewer is from the HR department, you can focus on how well you work with people and how you handled conflicts in the workplace in the past.
3. Ask What Questions The Caller Will Ask Before the Interview
Generally, you’ll not be told what questions will be asked in the phone interview. The best way to be prepared is to first ask what topics will be covered. If the interviewer refuses to give you a straight answer, try to at least get an idea of what kind of questions will be asked.
For example, if the position is for a customer service representative, the interviewer may ask you about how you would deal with a difficult customer.
If you know the general topic of the questions, you can prepare some answers in advance. This will help you sound more confident and polished when you are on the phone with the interviewer.
4. Research the Company and the Position You’re Applying for
The more familiar you are with the business and the position for which you are seeking, the more certain you will sound during the phone interview.
One of the most important phone interview tips is to research prior to the conversation. This way, you can ask thoughtful questions that show how much you know about what the company does and what their needs are.
When you know more about the company, you will also be able to connect your personal career goals with the company’s mission. This is important because it shows that you are looking for a long-term fit and not just any job.
5. Be Professional
You need to leave a professional impression during the phone interview just like you would during an in-person interview. This means that you need to answer the phone professionally, using a courteous and polite tone.
In addition, pay attention to the way you dress because your interviewer can probably see you if your conversation is by video call interview. Although he or she may not be able to see everything, it is still important to be well-dressed from head to toe.
6. Create A Professional Environment
Try to find a quiet place where you will not be interrupted during the phone interview. This means that you need to turn off your television, radio and any other type of noise-making device. In addition, if you have pets, make sure that they are in another room so that they will not create any type of disturbance.
It is also important that you let the people who live with you know that you will be interviewed so that they will not interrupt you. If possible, find an empty room where you can close the door so that you can have some privacy.
7. Be Enthusiastic
The employer like to see candidates who have a great attitude and are enthusiastic about the position. Therefore, you need to sound like you really want the job and are excited about the opportunity to be interviewed.
You can do this by smiling when you talk because your smile will come through in your voice. In addition, try to use positive words such as “great”, “excited” and “pleased”.
8. Listen Carefully
It is important that you pay attention to what the interviewer is saying so that you can answer his or her questions properly. If you do not understand something, do not be afraid to ask for clarification.
In addition, you shouldn’t interrupt the interviewer as this will make you seem rude. Let the interviewer finish asking the question before you start answering.
9. Prepare for Common Phone Interview Questions
There are certain questions that are commonly asked during phone interviews. Therefore, you should take some time to prepare for these questions so that you can give the best answer possible.
Some of the most common questions include:
- Tell me about yourself
- Why are you interested in this position?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- Tell me about a time when you faced a challenge at work
- Tell me about a time when you went above and beyond the call of duty
10. Answer The Questions to the Point
When you are asked a question, make sure that you answer it clearly and concisely. Do not ramble on and on as this will only waste time and bore the interviewer.
Stick to the point and if necessary, provide examples to illustrate your point. The interviewer will appreciate your ability to get straight to the point.
11. Ask Questions
At the end of the phone interview, the interviewer will ask if you have any questions. This is your opportunity to find out more about the position and the company.
Therefore, you should take advantage of this opportunity and ask questions that are important to you.
Prepare a list of questions in advance so that you will not forget to ask them when the time comes. Do not ask questions that can easily be found on the company’s website or elsewhere online.
Some good questions to ask include:
- What are the responsibilities of this position?
- What’s the salary and bonus?
- What type of training will I receive?
- What are the long-term goals of the company?
Asking questions shows that you are interested in the position and that you have done your research about the company.
