How to Do a Phone Interview

Often, a job interview has several stages. Most likely, it will include a phone interview. Here's how to succeed at one.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Phone

1. Be in a quiet place. A noisy setting can be distracting and unprofessional.

2. Use a land line phone. Cell phones can break up and lose their signal at the most inappropriate times.

3. Use the speaker instead of holding the phone up to your ear. This will keep your hands free to take notes. Also, it will feel more like a real interview if you don't have to keep a device attached to your ear the entire time.

4. Place a mirror in front of you. You can monitor your facial expressions and feel like there is someone in front of you.

5. Dress as if you were going to an interview. This can put you in the right state of mind.

6. Smile when you speak. This may sound irrelevant, but that smile will change the way you sound. You will sound positive and upbeat.

7. Stand up. This will give you more confidence.

Tips & Warnings

• Act as though it is an in-person interview.
• Make enough time in your schedule to hold the interview in its entirety.