Ten Tips For Mastering The Phone Interview

Phone interviews are becoming more and morecommunicating your enthusiasm to the recruiter.
common as companies gain greater access toHave a glass of water nearby.
candidates and as more recruiters and hiringIf your throat is dry or you get a tickle you can take
managers work from virtual office locations. On thecare of it before it turns into a cough and disrupts the
positive side, with a phone interview you don't have toflow of the interview.
worry about having your suit pressed and you canHave your notes in front of you.
have your notes in front of you. On the flip side, it isA phone interview is like an open book test. You can
much more difficult to establish rapport and get a readhave your company research and answers to
on the hiring manager during a phone conversation.potential interview questions right in front of you. Try
Below are some tips for getting the most out of yourputting key information on colored index cards and
phone interviews.organize by category.
Schedule the meeting during a time when you won't beVary Your Voice.
distracted.Since the other person can't see you, it is critical that
A phone interview should be scheduled like any otheryou vary the tone and cadence of your voice to
interview. At the designated appointment time, makecommunicate interest and develop rapport.
sure the dog is in the backyard and someone else isUse pauses effectively.
watching the kids. If a recruiter or hiring manager callsPauses in an interview situation are always difficult and
you without advance notice and wants to interviewthey can be especially awkward during a phone
you on the spot, use caution. If the interviewinterview. Rather than wondering what the person on
"conditions" are not optimal at the time of the call, it isthe other end is doing or if they are still there, use the
best to tell the interviewer that you are very interestedsilence to ask a question. For example, if the
in the position, but need to schedule another time tointerviewer has just asked you about your strengths
have a conversation. That time can be as soon as tenand your response is met with silence, make that an
minutes later, just make sure that you can take the callopportunity to ask a question like "What are the key
without being distracted.strengths of your ideal candidate?" This takes care of
Conduct interviews from a landline.the silence and allows you to learn more about the
Cell phones are a boon to modern communication, butposition.
the quality is still not the same as that from a land line.Don't multi-task.
You don't want to frustrate the recruiter or the hiringWe have grown so accustomed to multi-tasking,
manager with a bad connection. Plan your interviewhowever it can be counterproductive during a phone
from a reliable phone line.interview. Don't check your email or stick a casserole
Create an office space.in the oven while you are engaged in a phone
Dedicate an area as your office. This could be asinterview. Act the same way you would for an
simple as a card table with a phone and yourin-office interview and maintain your focus.
documents. Conduct your interviews from yourPractice.
"office". Being seated at a desk or table allows you toRecord some of your answers to prospective
create an environment similar to an in-person interview.interview questions. Play them back and critique. Are
Put a mirror in front of you.you easy to understand? Is your presentation riddled
This helps you focus and it anchors your conversationwith long pauses and ums? Do you communicate
to the visual representation of a person. Monitoringinterest and enthusiasm? If necessary, rework your
your facial expressions helps you see if you areanswers and your presentation.