How to Ace a Phone Interview

Employers often use phone interviews to determine which applicants should move forward in the application process.  Here are some tips to help you to succeed:

1)  Prepare for the phone interview as you would if you were going to a face-to-face interview.  Determine what position you will be interviewing for and try to obtain a job description.  Research the company itself.  You should be able to demonstrate that you have a good understanding of the company and of the position that you are seeking. 

2)  Create a quiet space for the interview that is free from distractions.  Let family members or room mates know not to disturb you.  Turn the TV and radio off and put the dog outside.   Keep a copy of your résumé in front of you, along with a pad of paper and a pen.  Keep your calendar handy should you be asked to schedule an in-person interview.

3)  If at all possible, use a land line for the call, and disable your call waiting.

4)  Be prepared to discuss what makes you special, and why you are the best candidate for the job.  Frame your responses in terms of contributions that you've made.  For instance, "In 2008, I increased revenue by 15% by implementing..."  Or, "In my former position, I reduced operating costs by ......."

5)  When on the call, avoid eating, drinking or smoking.  Avoid talking over or interrupting your interviewer.  This can be tricky, since you can't see the person to be sure that they have finished speaking.  To avoid this, pause briefly before speaking to be sure that your interviewer has finished her question or thought.

6)  Do not ask questions about salary or benefits during a phone interview.

7)  Be positive and energetic.  One trick is to smile while talking - this will change the tone of your conversation. 

8)  Obtain the correct spelling of your interviewer's full name, along with his contact information.  You will use this after the call to send an email to thank your interviewer and reiterate your interest, and to send a handwritten thank you note.

9)  At the end of the conversation, ask what the next step is, and thank the interviewer for her time. 

If you are granted a face-to-face interview, congratulations!  We'll discuss how to prepare for that in our next post. 

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