12 Phone Interview Tips That Will Help You Get Hired
Mastering the art of phone interviews is crucial for securing your dream job. These 12 essential tips cover everything from preparing your materials and researching the company to projecting confidence and enthusiasm over the phone. By following these tips, you can enhance your chances of making a lasting impression and progressing to the next stage of the hiring process.
Phone Interview Tips for Getting Hired
When preparing for a phone interview, it’s essential to keep in mind several key tips that can help you leave a positive impression on the hiring manager and increase your chances of landing the job. Here are some valuable phone interview tips that can help you get hired:
1. Research company
2. Practice your answers
3. Get ready ahead of time
4. Prepare notes
5. Dress professionally
6. Show a positive attitude
7. Don’t talk too much
8. Try to stay calm
9. Speak clearly
10. Ask questions
11. What are the next steps
12. Send a thank-you email
1. Research company
Researching the company before a job interview is crucial for several reasons. It demonstrates your genuine interest and enthusiasm for the position, and it allows you to tailor your responses and align your approach and expectations with the company’s values and culture. Additionally, understanding the company’s mission, values, and recent achievements can help you prepare well for the interview and showcase your commitment to joining their team.
2. Practice your answers
Much like with everything else, practice makes perfect. It will help you remember your answers to common questions and reveal any verbal or pronunciation problems you may have. Prepare your responses to typical job interview questions. A good answer should be short and concise and should expand on the skills you mention in your resume. Also, record yourself or have a friend conduct a mock interview and record you. Then, listen to the recording and identify the main problems. These may be filler words, „Uhm, “okays, “or verbal ticks. Focus on eliminating these to sound as calm and professional as possible.
3. Get ready ahead of time
Ensuring that you are well-prepared for a phone interview by organizing your materials, such as your resume, notes, and any relevant documents, in advance, is crucial. This preparation can help you feel more confident and focused during the interview. By having your materials organized and readily accessible, you can ensure that you are able to effectively convey your qualifications and experiences to the interviewer.
4. Prepare notes
Having key points and examples written down can indeed assist you in providing well-structured and relevant answers during a phone interview. It’s recommended to choose a few strong, versatile example stories and write down key details for each of them. This can help you prepare for various types of questions and ensure that you have important points at your fingertips during the interview.
5. Dress professionally
Dressing as if you were attending an in-person interview can help you feel more put together and confident. It’s also important to be in a professional setting, so avoid taking the call while lounging in pajamas on the couch. Instead, dress up, sit or stand straight, and approach the interview with a focused and professional mindset. This can help you convey a sense of professionalism and readiness, even through a phone conversation.
6. Show a positive attitude
Showing a positive attitude during a phone interview is crucial, as it can significantly impact the tone of your voice and project enthusiasm to the interviewer. Even though the interviewer cannot see you, smiling while speaking can make a noticeable difference in your voice and convey a positive attitude. Additionally, standing and making hand gestures while on the phone can make your voice sound more energetic, contributing to a more engaging conversation.
7. Don’t talk too much
During a phone interview, it’s important to strike a balance between engaging in small talk and providing concise, relevant answers. While it’s polite to engage in small talk at the beginning of the interview, it’s crucial to know when to stop and listen. Your responses should be concise and straight to the point, and it’s important to avoid talking over the interviewer.
8. Try to stay calm
Staying calm during a phone interview is essential for delivering your best performance. While your body language may not be visible, your voice can still convey nervousness or tension. It’s important to relax and stay calm throughout the interview. Waiting until the interviewer finishes speaking before answering and paying close attention to the questions to ensure a clear understanding are key aspects of maintaining composure during the interview.
9. Speak clearly
It’s important to focus on articulating your words clearly and speaking slowly to ensure that your message is conveyed effectively. Additionally, practicing active listening and taking a few seconds to gather your thoughts before answering a question can help you avoid stuttering and mumbling, contributing to a more polished and professional interview performance.
10. Ask questions
Having well-prepared questions and being ready to ask them when prompted by the interviewer is a crucial aspect of a successful phone interview. This demonstrates genuine interest and enthusiasm about the opportunity, leaving a positive impression on the hiring manager. Remember, asking thoughtful questions can also provide valuable insights into the role and the organization, helping you make an informed decision about the opportunity. Here are some questions you could consider asking during an interview:
- What does a typical day in the role look like? Asking about the typical day in the role can provide valuable insights into the responsibilities and expectations associated with the position.
- What are the current priorities to focus on in this position? Inquiring about the current priorities for the role can help you understand the immediate focus areas and the key objectives that need to be addressed.
- How will you measure my success in this position? Understanding how success is measured in the role can provide clarity on the performance expectations and the key performance indicators that are relevant to the position.
Read more: 23 Job Interview Questions to Ask an Interviewer
11. What are the next steps
Affirm your interest in the position by asking the interviewer about the next steps at the end of your phone interview. The goal of a phone interview is usually to set up an in-person interview. But, some companies may be ready to offer you the position straight away. Knowing what to expect will allow you to prepare and succeed in your job hunt.
12. Send a thank-you email
At the end of the phone interview, thank the interviewer and ask for their email address. Then, send a thank-you email within 24 hours of the interview. In the email, thank the interviewer for their time and reiterate your interest in the position. This is crucial, as 80% of hiring managers agree that receiving a thank-you note affects their final decision. If you are unsure about what to write, read Thank You Email After Interview: Examples, Dos, and Don’ts.