Telephone Interview Tips

Looking for Telephone Interview Tips? I am glad that you are taking your phone interview this seriously. One of the biggest mistakes that many job candidates make regarding a phone interview is that they become complacent by the fact that they are not facing a panel interview, in person. Since you are NOT one of THOSE people, take a look at the telephone interview tips below:

Success Tips for Phone Interviews

Research the Company

Before sitting down for a telephonic interview do some solid company research. Check their background, the area of operation, their future plans and all other facets that affect you as a potential employee of the company.

Know Your Job

There is nothing annoying than appearing a phone interview and not knowing what position the discussion is all about. Before getting into a telephonic interview make sure you understand the job you have applied for. It can be really embarrassing to know that you have been discussing about a job for half an hour that you can never be interested in.

Be Professional, Add the Appointment to Calendar

Of all the phone interview tips you get here this is the one that you should be extra cautious about. Most candidates fail to realize that the phone interview is the real thing like a physical meeting, which in my opinion is a huge mistake. So please take your phone interview very seriously and add the appointment to your calendar. This will keep reminding you of the schedule and have you better prepared.

Who Should Call?

It is important that you are clear as to who will be the one calling. When the interview is scheduled and you hear that from the company’s representative, politely ask him if you should call at the stipulated time or they will be calling you. Usually the interviewer makes a call, but then it’s a good idea to make things very clear right from start.

Schedule the Interview Time Right

A phone interview need not necessarily happen at the interviewer’s convenience. You have an equal right to decide on the opportune time for yourself. If you feel that you have other engagements at the proposed time, then politely convey it to the representative of your prospective employer and request for a new date or time. You may even suggest some of the dates that you feel would be right for you.

Have a Professional Tone of Voice

In a phone interview, the interviewer can’t see you. They will form a picture of you in their mind based upon how you talk and present yourself through your voice. Thus be careful about your tone. Be friendly and professional. Make sure you don’t be mushy or rude.

Get Professionally Dressed

Most of the people I have come across ignore getting properly dressed for phone interviews and strictly speaking that is not mandatory as you will not be visible to the interviewer. However dressing properly gives that extra air of professionalism and makes you feel comfortable and confident. So please be dressed well for your phone interview.

Take Notes and Keep Notepaper Handy

Most telephonic interviews involve in depth discussions. So be prepared to take notes and refer them as needed. Keep a good pen, notepad, pencil and eraser handy at your desk. This simple trick will help you concentrate better and be more involved in the entire discussion.

Keep Your Resume Handy

Usually interviewers ask questions based on your resume. Most of those questions are on the past experience with other organizations. Therefore keep your resume ready for reference. When the interviewer asks a question related to a certain page of your resume you will be in a position to refer that page and answer.

Keep Your Cell Phone Charged

If you are using a mobile phone for the interview charge it fully. It will look very unprofessional if your mobile phone dies down during the interview.

Send Minutes of Meeting Mail

After the discussion is over and you have understood the action items from your side send an email thanking the interviewers for their time and the opportunity extended to you. In this email mention the action items that will be taken care of from your side and the ones that need to be addressed at the other end. Also highlight the important nuances of the discussion if you feel like it.

I hope these telephone interview tips will help you in the next interview scheduled for you. If you have any interesting phone interview tips then please feel free to write to us. We would love to hear from you.

Carla Bosteder Best-Interview-Strategies.com