Phone Interview Tips

Interviewing

by Alex Rudloff on Apr 26th, 2007

Phone interviews can be tough. With the lack of visual communication, you must be able to rely on auditory feedback and be disciplined enough to keep focus. We have compiled this handy guide on phone interview preparation to help ease your fears.

With these interviewing tips, you will be able to face your phone call with confidence!Phone Interview Preparation and Tips

Preparation

There are two main types of phone interviews - expected and unexpected. In order to be prepared for the unexpected phone call, make sure you have access to proper materials near your phone or desk. Keep a file of "employer research" near by along with a fresh copy of your resume. (Wouldn't it be great if you could just open up your resume as a web page?) Your resume will allow you to easily answer questions about your past experiences. Company research can help you quickly come up with a few questions for your interviewer. Having access to a notepad and a pen is probably a good bet as well.

For expected interviews, make sure you have a space set aside that is free of distractions. Keep a glass of water nearby in case you need to clear your throat, and of course, make sure to use the restroom before the call. Have a copy of your resume and any research you have done on the employer. Keep a pen and paper on hand.

Remember, phone interviews are just as much of an interview as a traditional meeting. Take a look at our interview guide to help make sure you are properly prepared.

Tips

Know your comfort zone. Some people perform best in a quiet room, while others prefer to pace around. If sitting still is your style, a room free of distractions is best. If you are the type of person that likes to walk-and-talk, consider determining a predefined route. This will help ensure that there are no outside noises or unexpected distractions like sirens. Make sure it is a leisurely walk so you can maintain calm breathing patterns.

Smile. Negativity or a uneasy attitude can easily show itself over a phone call. Before the interview, consider spending a few minutes listening to your favorite song or watching a funny video on YouTube. Make sure you are in a good mood.

Disable call waiting. If for some reason you are not able to disable call waiting, absolutely ignore it if someone calls.

Enforce a dress code. Believe it or not, properly dressing in at least a business casual attire will make a big difference in your ability to focus on the interview. Wearing the right clothes and taking a serious approach to the call will help you maintain a professional attitude regardless of your surroundings.

If you are taking the call on a cell phone, make sure there is no wind in your vicinity. Wind noise will prevent you from hearing the questions and make it harder for them to hear your answers.

No chewing gum, cigarettes, food or other things that may interfere with your vocal chords during the interview.

Listen. Without the visual communication of an in-person interview, it can be tough to know when to stop talking. If your nerves are high and your blood is flowing, you can easily make the mistake of saying too much. Make sure to speak slowly and articulately. When you have answered the question, allow for that possibly uncomfortable moment of silence. This will let the interviewer know that you are through, and then they will proceed. Listen and wait for them to finish with their next question, and then proceed. Consider taking notes on the key aspects of each question.

Stand up. Stretching out your torso will allow you to have the full strength of your lungs. You will be able to speak more clearly and powerfully.

Practice makes perfect. As with all interviews, practicing before hand helps you prepare for common interview questions. Remember to "play in practice as you will in the game." It will make a huge difference.

If you wear earrings, remove them before the call. Many people tend to adjust the phone's headset during a call. Chances are that the earrings will rub up against the mic creating an awkward, distracting noise for everyone on the call.

No speaker phone.

Make sure to ask for your interviewers name. Follow up with a thank you note.

---
Questions? Comments? Experiences to share? Join the discussion in the comments below! Check out our free resume creator and search for local jobs!

53 Comments

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

Janardan Pal says: (10:38AM on Sep 11th 2009) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5

Well described. All the conditions given are right, But I personally feel that cracking an telephonic interview is easy than other one.

Admin says: (11:27PM on Apr 4th 2010) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5

Excellent stuff for the folk who ever attending interviews.

Regards,
Admin,
http://www.interviewqueries.com

Moderator says: (8:03AM on Apr 16th 2010) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5

A nice article on phone interview tips. very useful to job seekers.

Swetha says: (8:05AM on Apr 16th 2010) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5

Very informative article on phone interview tips

Regards,

Swetha
http://www.govtvacancies.com

MBA Jobs says: (3:54AM on Apr 19th 2010) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5

Thanks for the tips, Recently i got job in Oracle. I cracked Telephonic round with these tips and i m very thankful.....

Regards,

Rana Dheer
www.mbajobs.in

MBA Jobs says: (3:57AM on Apr 19th 2010) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5

if anybody wants reference feel free to contact me..

Regards,
http://www.mbajobs.in/

Mobile Phone says: (4:56AM on May 4th 2010) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5

Hiiiiiiiiiiii
Its really a very easy way to get the job.

joseph
Mobile Phone

Mobile Phone says: (4:59AM on May 4th 2010) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5

Hiiiiiiiiiiii
Its really a very easy way to get the job.

joseph
[url=http://mobilephonehomepage.com]Mobile Phone[/url]

Seattle Interview Coach says: (7:51PM on May 9th 2010) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5

Great article! I love the tips around food and speaker phones. I wrote a blog post about how to ace the phone interview. Check it out: http://blog.seattleinterviewcoach.com/2010/05/10-ways-to-ace-phone-interview.html

- Seattle Interview Coach

Resume Cover Letter Samples says: (4:49AM on Jun 3rd 2010) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5

Wow! I impressed by reading your article. It is really good opportunities for good job. thanks for sharing phone interview tips!!!

http://www.resumecoverlettersamples.net/

Ali says: (1:55AM on Jun 6th 2010) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5

Check this interview questions and answers site. It's very nicely organized and have amazing collections of interview questions

http://www.interviewqna.com/

robertbrown says: (4:38PM on Aug 11th 2010) Vote Up Vote DownReport2.5/3

This is a wonderful opinion. The things mentioned are great and
needs to be appreciated by everyone.Internet Business

Tracking Key says: (2:11PM on Aug 17th 2010) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5

The subsequent data varying with every 2.5 meters is recorded by using the LandAirSea Tracking software, by which an individual’s position,
http://www.quantum-wireless.com/store/index.php/landairsea-gps-tracking-key.html

Amanda Dream says: (11:37AM on Aug 22nd 2010) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5

You can find some helpfull info at http://www.alljobinterviewquestions.com/

NavigationGerät says: (9:50PM on Sep 17th 2010) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5

With the adoption of SaaS applications, augmented reality, visual recognition and other next-gen phone apps, the smartphone processing model is looking for.
Mehre Informationen besuchen Sie bitte :http://www.efox-shop.com/
Navigation
Kfz -DVD Spieler

Greg says: (6:50PM on Sep 25th 2010) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5

All true but i think there is a little more to come out of a phone interview..
-especially since its getting more and more relevant its getting harder as well

i found some good infos on http://www.phone-interview.net

cheers

jeety says: (1:34AM on Oct 1st 2010) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5

Interview Tips is very important for everywhere because when we want to get job then we have to clear interview
so in my site some important tips which is very urgent for every person. open this site and gain lot of knowledge.
You have called for interview to judge your manners, confidence, communication, poise and self assurance.
Display all these in ample measure. While answering hold yourself straight, Mention your achievements, medals,
prizes both in academic field and in social field. However nothing should be said with arrogant pride. Unless you
are specifically asked to give details of your family, there is no need to mention your parents,
siblings, their profession etc. All questions related to your subject should be answered accurately and briefly.
Other questions which can come up are about your hobby. Make it certain that you name your hobby on which you can
take questions. For instance if you say reading is your hobby you may be asked who is your favorite author and
what is it from him that you have read. Inability to answer or a diffident response exposes the lie.

Interview Tips

ugg brand boots says: (9:25PM on Oct 20th 2010) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5

When you enter your name and email address, you'll be sent a link to confirm your comment, and a password. To leave another comment, just use that password.www.thebrandboots.netwhat stores sell ugg boots? www.boots-online-store.com! Now there, big sales are on the process! They are ugg factory store. And you know ugg brand boots usually sell various ugg boots in high quality and low price.

ugg brand boots says: (9:25PM on Oct 20th 2010) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5

what stores sell ugg boots? www.boots-online-store.com! Now there, big sales are on the process! They are ugg factory store. And you know ugg brand boots usually sell various ugg boots in high quality and low price.

ugg brand boots says: (9:28PM on Oct 20th 2010) Vote Up Vote DownReport2/5

1 | 2 | 3 Next 20 Comments

Add your comments

Please keep your comments relevant to this blog entry. Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments.

When you enter your name and email address, you'll be sent a link to confirm your comment, and a password. To leave another comment, just use that password.

To create a live link, simply type the URL (including http://) or email address and we will make it a live link for you. You can put up to 3 URLs in your comments. Line breaks and paragraphs are automatically converted — no need to use <p> or <br> tags.