Have you been invited to a phone interview in the job application process? If so, congratulations! That's a big step forward.
Now comes the hard part: acing that interview. Although it might not have the same pressure as a regular in-person interview, doing well on a phone interview can increase your chances of getting hired or landing a second interview.
Here are four tips to help you get ready for and ace your phone interview:
The first step in preparing for the interview is to do your homework on the company and the role. This means looking up information about the company online, reading their annual report, and researching what they do and how they do it.
You'd want to understand the company's mission statement, history and business goals. This will help you prepare better answers to questions about its products or services, culture and industry trends.
You should also look into any news stories about them – whether positive or negative – so you can see what kind of issues they may be facing. If there are no recent stories, find some older ones that will give you insight into how they operate as a company.
Also, research about the role you are applying for to know the skills, qualifications, and experience the company is looking for in an ideal candidate.
In addition to reading up on the company and the role, you should also research their job interviews process, too. Check the Interviewand Reviews section of Glassdoor to see what you can find. You want to gain insights into the following: What types of questions will they ask? What are some good answers to those questions? How can you prepare for interviews at that particular organization?
All this information will help you feel more comfortable going into the interview. Plus, this information will give you insight into how well suited you are for this position and whether or not it's worth pursuing.
Prepare the space where you'll be answering the call.
If possible, pick a quiet place where you can concentrate and focus on the conversation.
If others are around, ask them to be quiet while you're on the call. If that's not possible, ask them to avoid distracting conversations while you're speaking with the interviewer.
Have a pen and paper nearby so that when it's time for notes or questions, you can write them down without having to multitask too much.
Make sure your phone is charged enough to get through the call.
Set up with all your tools in place prior to starting the call so that once it begins, there's no delay in getting started or having technical difficulties.
Also, turn off call-waiting and silence your phone before the interview begins to avoid any interruption.
The phone interview is a great opportunity to demonstrate your professionalism and enthusiasm. Though the interviewer might not be able to see you, they can hear your tone of voice, so it's important to be friendly and positive.
Here are some tips for making a building rapport with the interviewer over the phone:
Be enthusiastic — Employers want to hire people who are excited about their work and what they do. Showing that you're enthusiastic about the job can help you stand out from other candidates.
Speak slowly — If you're nervous or excited about an upcoming interview, slow down your pace of speech so that it doesn't sound like an auctioneer talking into his microphone!
Listen carefully to the interviewer — Be sure to pay full attention to your interviewer. Listen carefully to what is being said so you can provide answers that address the question directly, instead of rambling on with irrelevant information. Take note if necessary!
Ask questions — It's a good idea to prepare questions ahead of the interview based on findings from your research. This shows that you did your homework while preparing for the interview, and you're enthusiastic about the company and what they do.
Don't fidget too much — Try not to move around too much or make distracting noises (like clicking a pen). Instead, breathe deeply and stay focused on the conversation at hand.
Though we have touched on this a bit earlier, it's still worth mentioning.
Ask the right questions in your job interview and you’ll impress your potential employer with your knowledge, interest and enthusiasm.
Here are some questions you could ask the interviewer:
â— What are the most important skills needed to succeed in this position?
â— Can you describe a typical day for me in this position?
◠What are the company’s top goals over the next 12 months? How does this role contribute to those goals?
◠How does this position fit within the company’s overall structure?
â— What is the first project I will work on after being hired?
â— How long do you expect it will take me to become fully productive in this position?
â— What aspects of my background, skills or experience make me a good match for this position?
One of the best ways to prepare for a phone interview is to practice answering common interview questions (you can search for these types of questions online).
For example, if you're applying for a sales position, you may be asked to explain your sales process or how you would handle an objection from a customer. If you're applying for a marketing position, you may be asked to explain your marketing strategy, or how social media can be used in advertising.
You should also practice answering basic questions about yourself and why you want the job. It's important to sound confident even if you're nervous — and remember that your voice is one of the most important aspects of an interview. Practice speaking clearly into the phone so that it sounds like you're sitting right across from someone instead of on another continent.
Sending a thank you note is always a good idea, but it's especially important when you are interviewing for a job. It lets the interviewer know that you appreciate their time, and it shows that you're serious about the job.
Think of the thank you note like an opportunity to reiterate your interest in working for the company and why you're qualified for the position. It's also a chance to highlight any additional information you want them to know about, such as any relevant experience or skills that didn't come up during your interview. Here are some tips for writing an effective thank-you note:
Keep it short and sweet — a quick note thanking them for meeting with you is more than enough. If there's something more specific in which they can help, like connecting you with another contact at the company or providing feedback on an important skill they think needs improvement, include that with your thanks.
If possible, send your note via email rather than postal mail so it will be easy for them to read right away.
Make sure your signature includes both your name and contact information (email address, phone number) so they can reach out if they want follow-up questions answered or need more information.
Wrap Up:
You can successfully navigate a phone interview by reducing distractions, setting up your equipment beforehand, building rapport with the interviewer and listening carefully to what is being said so you can provide answers that address the questions directly!