How to Standout From a Phone Interview

You have worked so hard to find your next job and finally you had a breakthrough - you just secured a phone interview! You are happy and somewhat relaxed, a phone interview is easier to handle than an onsite interview, right? Wrong! In fact, a phone interview is much harder than the next round interview, because the success rate (meaning you could move on to the next round) is much less than the next round interview's success rate. A hiring manager typically talks to 20 or so people to decide which three to bring to an onsite interview. This makes it even more important for you to standout from that phone interview, but how? Here are something you should do.

Instructions

1. First, secure a comfortable and quiet place.

   Don't because this is a phone interview so you can talk anywhere at anytime, since the other party cannot see you. You want to focus on your interview and don't get distracted. So lock yourself in a quiet room and find a comfortable chair and table before start talking.

2. Second, do not use cell phone.

   Yes, wireless technology has improved a lot and the cell phone quality is much better than a year ago, but you cannot afford any risk that could negatively affect your performance becaues either you couldn't hear clearly what the interviewer is talking or the other party misunderstands you. Find a landline, not VoIP based line, before you start talking.

3. Third, print out lots of materials.

   You should have a copy of your resume in front of you, also have the job description printed out and put in front of you. Do as much research as possible and print all related materials since you are free to check them while you are talking on a phone interview. Finally, make sure you prepare some possible questions that might be asked and jog down your answers so you can referrence them.

4. Finally, in your answers, make sure to referrence every required job skills.

   In the first round of interview, it's more important for you to let the interviewer to check the box next to each and every skills that are required for the job. So make sure in your answer, you reference how your past experience and background is relevant to the position you are applying for.