How to Conduct Oneself in a Phone Interview

In the absence of physical cues, pay attention to your voice and tone during phone interviews.

Interviews conducted over the phone can be challenging for job seekers ands interviewers since neither party can see who they are speaking to. Despite not seeing your interviewers face to face, phone interviews should be treated like in-person job interviews. Interviews by telephone can be used by companies for preliminary screening in advance of face-to-face interviews, or by companies when they are interviewing prospective employees who reside out of the state or country.

Instructions

1. Prepare yourself. Phone interviews can be scheduled and structured like an in-person interview, or they can be sudden and unexpected if they are screening interviews in advance of a formal interview. For scheduled phone interviews, review your resume and the job description, and prepare practice questions that might be asked during the interview. It may also be helpful to prepare a cheat sheet with important points you want to raise during your interview about your experience and why you are interested in the job. You should keep this reference material and your resume close to your phone in case of unscheduled screening interviews.

2. Ensure you have a quality phone. Make sure the phone you are using is reliable so that the interviewer is able to hear your voice clearly and you can hear the interviewer. If it is a mobile phone or a handset, ensure the phone is charged. If possible, use a landline during your interview.

3. Get dressed. Even though the interview is over the phone, you should prepare yourself like any other in-person interview. If you are doing the interview from home, getting dressed can help you get into the proper frame of mind for an interview and help you take the conversation seriously.

4. Stand up or sit up straight. Whether you are sitting on a chair or sofa, at a table or at a desk, make sure you sit up straight so that your interviewer can hear you clearly.

5. Stay focused. Avoid interruptions and, if possible, conduct your interview in a quiet room or at home alone where interruptions can be minimized. Avoid doing other tasks at the same time, such as watching television or checking your email account if you are sitting at your desk.

6. Have a pen and paper in front of you during the interview. Write down the questions that the interviewer asks you. You can also try to organize your thoughts during the interview and write down key words to keep yourself on track when answering questions.

7. Sound positive. Try to sound upbeat during the interview to give the interviewer the impression that you are excited and interested in the position. You should use simple, direct and enthusiastic responses when answering the interviewer's questions.

8. Answer the questions like you would in an in-person interview. Answer honestly and fully, providing as much detail as you would in an in-person interview. If the interview is a pre-interview for screening purposes, be brief and save details for the second or in-person interview.

9. Be courteous. When you begin the call, be sure to say hello and introduce yourself to establish a positive tone at the start of the interview. Although a phone interview can seem impersonal, you should be sure to extend the same courtesies to your interviewer as if you were conducting the interview in person. This includes greeting your interviewers and thanking them at the end of the phone call.

References

• Monster: Mastering the Phone Interview
• From Graduation to Corporation: The Practical Guide to Climbing the Corporate Ladder One Rung at a Time; Andy Teach; 2008
• The Everything Job Interview Book: All You Need to Make a Great First Impression and Land the Perfect Job; Joy Darlington, Nancy Schuman; 2008
• Adams Job Interview Almanac; Adams Media; 2005