Telephone Interview Tips for a Great Impression

Telephone interviews are important because they are often the first interaction you have with a representative of the company and serve as a time efficient method to help the interviewer through the initial screening process of filtering candidates qualified to move forward. A phone interview is your opportunity to pique a hiring manager’s interest by summarizing your qualifications and displaying how you would be a good culture fit.

Having enough information at hand during a phone interview can help you leave a strong impression and increase your chances of moving forward to the next steps with the company. Here are 10 tips to keep in mind to help you prepare before your phone interview:

Verify the scheduled appointment time

A couple of days before the interview, verify the appointment time by calling or sending a short and professional email message. Once you receive verification, you can add the time to your planner or calendar and set a reminder on your phone. Being punctual, even for a telephone interview, sends a strong message of dependability and responsibility to the interviewer.

Clarify the identity of the person who will conduct your interview

Be sure to verify the name of the interviewer, or at least their official title. You can search online on the company website or inquire directly when checking up for the interview time. Most phone interviews are conducted by recruiters, hiring managers, or supervisors. Knowing who you are conversing with can help you address them professionally at the onset of the interview and avoid any awkward situations of mistaken identity.

Understand the company’s background

Visit the company’s website, available social media pages, and search outside media outlets to learn more about their mission, goals, and values. Knowing the type of non-profit organizations they support and the events they participate in can help you understand their mission, vision, and values clearly.

Review the job description and requirements

Access the official job description you applied for, which can usually be located on the company website. Read it thoroughly to identify the core responsibilities required of the role. Understanding this information can help you focus your answers and provide stronger responses.

Write some notes

Write down key talking points in neat handwriting so you aren’t struggling to understand your own writing during the actual interview. You can write in print and large enough so you can see or even type out your notes and print them on computer paper. Try recording some insightful questions you may have about the role, company culture, or the company itself to communicate your passion for and interest in the position.

Print your resume and professional portfolio

Some of the questions asked of you might be informed by the information you submitted when applying for the position. It is best to have these documents printed and readily accessible to you for fast reference. You may also consider having them open on your computer or laptop if printing is not an option, but be sure there is a dependable power source to avoid access issues.

Identify some probable interview questions

Familiarize yourself with typical interview questions to so you know what to expect. Being prepared may give you the ability to provide a stronger answer. This can help you gain the confidence you need for the interview.

Practice some effective responses

After determining some possible questions, evaluate how you will respond. Consider preparing a list to help organize your ideas and as a reference during the interview. You may want to rehearse a few answers to help your responses sound more fluid and natural over the phone.

Select a quiet area

Choose a room or spot where you can have some privacy and minimal distractions. You’ll want to be certain you can hear questions clearly and that your voice is not muted by background noise. Turn off televisions, radios, and other telephones that could interrupt your telephone interview or train of thought as you respond. Also consider notifying friends, family, and those living with you that you will be occupied for a specific amount of time. These steps to minimize distractions enable you to focus entirely on the interview.

Prepare your phone

Make sure your device is fully charged and has a dependable connection. Additionally, consider recording a professional voicemail notification in the case that you are unavailable and miss their initial contact call. This will leave a good impression despite your being unavailable, and prove your professionalism.

Discover real interview questions asked for thousands of job titles

It is important to remain composed and engaged during a phone interview. Here are some tips to help you focus your efforts and feel more confident when interviewing by phone:

• Be ready by telephone. If possible, be prepared to answer the telephone yourself to streamline the interview process and prevent any confusion or downtime. Answering your own call shows enthusiasm and communicates that you value the interviewer’s time and effort.
• Speak clearly. Even when interviewing in person, it is important to ensure that others can hear you clearly. On the phone when you can’t depend on the added benefits of body language and facial cues, speaking clearly is even more crucial. Be articulate and annunciate your words carefully to demonstrate your communication skills. This will help the interviewer better understand your qualifications and confidence in your abilities.
• Have a confident and assertive tone. Although you can’t be seen, try to smile when you respond to project a confident and friendly tone. Take your time when answering questions and be sure to ask for clarification if needed.
• Listen carefully before responding. Especially during an interview when nerves are high, you may feel the need to jump into a conversation before the other person has completed their thought. Be sure to let the interviewer finish their message before you respond. Having good listening skills is an essential quality in any industry.
• Take your time. You may have a small gap in conversation after a question is posed to collect your thoughts. Take your time and understand that the interviewer is aware of the process. Compose your answer so that you provide a thoughtful response that showcases your abilities.

Consider the following tips to use after the interview to leave a positive and lasting impression.

• Ask them what is next. A good question you can consider asking, even at the end of the telephone interview, is what you should expect the next step to be. This indicates your continued interest in the position and allows the interviewer an opportunity to provide a timeline for you. Use their response to prepare any follow-up questions or necessary information.
• Send a thank you note or email. It is customary to send an email or note to the interviewer after your interview thanking them for taking the time to interview you. This message helps you stand out among the other candidates and is generally good manners. Try to send the email within 24 hours and reiterate any important details about your conversation. You can also take this opportunity to mention any valuable information you didn’t have a chance to discuss during your interview.
• Follow up after some time. After one or two weeks, you may consider sending a follow-up email to understand where the company is in the hiring process. It may be that other candidates are still interviewing or they are preparing notices and lists for candidates to move to the next step in the interview process. Making follow-up contact can express to the company that you’re still interested in the position.