The Phone interview- Do’s and Don’ts

If you are searching for a job, there’s a good chance somewhere along the line, you will be asked to do a phone interview.

Being prepared is critical!

Imagine you are a hiring manager interviewing someone by phone-the candidate is unprepared; you can barely hear what the candidate is saying over the noise in the background.  You feel like this is a waste of your time.

Don’t be one of those candidates!

• Research ahead of time

Prepare for the interview just like you would for a face-to-face interview. This means researching the company’s website/social media sites to learn how long the company has been in business, what type of clients they serve, who their competitors are, who are some of the senior leadership personnel, and what their community involvement entails.

• Have your preparation materials in front of you

One distinct advantage, besides being able to do this interview in your PJ’s, is having the luxury of being able to have your research material and questions in front of you when talking.  But, be sure you converse naturally.  The last thing you want is to come across as someone who is reading from the paper. 

• Eliminate all background noise

Make sure the interview is done in a quiet environment.  This means no other people conversing in the background, no TV or radio on. And, you want to be sitting still yourself as you are conversing.

• Conduct your interview as if you are actually sitting face-to-face across from the interviewer 

There’s something about “dressing the part” that makes a difference.  While you COULD do the interview in PJ’s, wear business attire and practice good posture.  An even better suggestion is to sit in front of a mirror while interviewing.  Watching yourself can be beneficial in helping you communicate a professional impression “through” the phone.

• No speakerphone, please

You want a crisp, clear voice. So, eliminate the chance that a speakerphone will distort or muffle your words.

• Show enthusiasm

Here’s a good idea.  When interviewing, stand instead of sitting.  This gives you energy, allowing you to gesture with your hands if it feels natural. While the interviewer can’t see what you are doing, it’s amazing how the energy translates over the phone.

• Follow up

Just as it’s important to follow up by sending a thank you letter after a face-to-face interview, sending either an email version (or a personally written note by mail) following the phone interview is important.

-from The Key Corporate Services Blog Team