Acing a Phone Interview
Previously, I talked about how to ace a Skype interview, read up on it here. I gave some tips on how to prepare for a Skype interview as well as what to do and what not to do during a Skype interview.
However, it is also important to note that there are times that a phone interview might also be necessary. Perhaps it might be necessary for the interviewer to shortlist the number of job applications he/she received through a quick phone interview.
Sometimes phone interviews are done in conjunction with physical interviews, at other times, phone interviews are done as a stand-alone interview. Also, a phone interview might just be a surprise call from the prospective employer after he or she has gone through your application.
In addition, phone interviews can be a way of minimizing costs of conducting a physical interview.
Owing to the increase in the need for remote workers, there are so many remote jobs available that you don’t need to be physically present with the employer or prospective employer.
And so, with that in mind, it is important to know how a phone interview should be conducted and not just see it as another casual conversation with somebody.
Here are some ways you can ace a phone interview:
- Find a good location: you need to find a good location that will make it easier for you to receive your calls from the prospective employer. You need to make sure the network coverage is good so that it won’t disrupt your calls. Also, you need to make sure that where you are isn’t noisy, so you can adequately hear the other person.
- Test your equipment: make sure the equipment you will be using is functioning well. If you will be using headset or earpiece, test them so that you will be sure they are working well and not malfunctioning. In addition, you need to test your phone and make sure you can receive calls well, and so on.
- Act professionally: even though it is a telephone interview, that doesn’t mean you should not act professionally. Speak well, and be formal in your conversations.
- Do your research: do adequate research about the organization, this is because you might be asked some things you know about the organization. And if you don’t know anything about the organization, the interviewer might easily detect that.
- Be sure of the job description: you might also be asked questions about the job description; the interviewer might want to know if you understand the role very well.
- Practice likely questions: in addition, before the interview, practice likely questions you might be asked during the phone interview.
- Telephone etiquette: don’t eat while talking, listen carefully before replying, allow the person to talk before talking, don’t interrupt the person when he/she is talking, don’t allow the phone to ring for too long before picking it up, speak in clear manners, etc.
- Have a pen and pen ready for notetaking: you might be required to take down some notes during the course of the interview, and so, have a pen and paper handy. This is because looking for a pen and paper during your phone interview might distract your interview session.
- Be careful about the tone of your voice: your interviewer can’t see you while having a phone interview with you, and so, one of the things that might likely be assessed id the tone of your voice which might depict the way you feel, your disposition, etc.
- Don’t allow yourself to be distracted while receiving your calls: find a location that is free of distractions.
- Ask questions: just because it is a phone interview doesn’t mean you shouldn’t ask questions. Ask meaningful questions that will show the interviewer that you are prepared for the job and that you are ready for the work.
- Thank the interviewer when he/she is through: don’t forget to thank the interviewer after the interview.
Have you ever had to participate in a phone interview? How did it go and what are some of the tips you can share?
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