5 Tips for a Successful Phone Interview
Posted September 9, 2013 & filed under Uncategorized
Even in the digital millennium, with Skype and email ruling the communication channels, phone interviews are still a common occurrence in the job seeking world. Since we communicate less and less over the phone, the lack of face-to-face interaction during an interview can be off-putting.
If you are nervous for your upcoming phone interview, try following these easy-to-use tips to make a significant (if only audible) statement that will leave a positive lasting impression on the mind of the hiring manager.
Don’t forget that standard interview rules apply. You should always be prepared during a phone interview just as you would an in person interview. This includes conducting background research on the company and the hiring managers and preparing a list of questions to ask at the end of the interview.
Listen
Communicating over the phone can cause a serious handicap in your listening abilities. Make sure that you are focused on the task at hand by eliminating any and all distractions that may occur during the interview. Turn off the TV, lock yourself in a room, and mentally submerge yourself in the interview. Try to enter a state of mind that is equivalent to you sitting in the hiring manager’s office.
Don’t be afraid to ask the hiring manager to repeat something if your phone has caused the connection to cut out for a second or two. Do not carry on with the interview unless you completely understand everything that has been said.
Embrace the Silence
Silences are normal during interviews, but they can be much more awkward during a phone interview. Since you cannot see the person on the other end of the phone it is hard derive what they are doing while they are not speaking to you. This should not be a cause for concern. The interviewer may just be writing notes or deciding on the next question to ask. Do not attempt to fill in the void by talking incessantly. You may end up talking yourself into a hole or coming off as a chatty Cathy.
Also, do not be afraid to ask for a moment to contemplate a question that has been posed to you. Do not rush yourself just because you want to avoid the awkward silence. Just ask for a moment, think, then answer in a calm and coherent manner.
Do not multitask
Just because the hiring manager cannot see what you are doing on the other end of the phone doesn’t mean that you have free reign to do whatever you want. Washing the dishes, checking your email, or playing video games will tear apart your ability to concentrate on the interview. Plus, any background noise heard by the hiring manager will distract him or her and make you look detached from the interview.
But remember this is an open book test
Having made the previous point, remember that a phone interview is just like an open book test. You should have the company’s webpage open in case you need to refer back to it to make a point. Make sure to have tabs of your resume and cover letter open as well, just in case you need to pull some fact or figures off them as well.
Balance the conversation
It can be easy to prattle on when you cannot see the hiring manager’s reaction to what you are saying. Make sure you balance the amount of time you are speaking by letting the hiring manager respond in kind. This is a conversation after all. Try to gauge the tone and pace of the interview. If the interviewer is curt and wants to keep things moving, then let him or her do so. If the hiring manager seems more open to your responses then extend your answer. Either way, make sure you hit your talking points as efficiently and effectively as possible.
By Kevin Withers
