5 Ways to Ace Your Phone Interview

As a recruiting professional for a growing business-to-business service company, I spend a lot of time conducting phone interviews. At Steritech, the phone interview is our “first touch” with a prospective employee – and I’m regularly surprised by the number of candidates who are qualified on paper but miss an opportunity to shine.  

So how do you ace your phone interview? Job seekers that move from my “B Stack” to  “A list” always do these 5 things:

Be Prepared. Always know the company and position for which you are interviewing. If your interview has been scheduled ahead of time, you should also know the recruiter's name. Asking “What job am I interviewing for?” shows a lack of organization. During a job search, applicants often apply for multiple positions, so keep a list of all your open applications and have it handy so that you can quickly reference it when a recruiter calls.

Know the Agenda.  The phone interview is a two-way conversation! Of course, it’s intended to give you time to share information the recruiter needs to make an informed decision about your match for the particular position. But a phone interview is also a chance for you to ask questions to help you decide if pursing the role is right for you. Ask the recruiter for an agenda of the interview, and stick to it. Each minute you stray from the specific agenda the recruiter has laid out is a minute less you have to highlight your skills, talents, and readiness to take on a new challenge.

Be Professional. Just because this is a phone interview does not mean you should slouch on your sofa, eat Froot Loops, and play with your dog with the TV on full volume in the background. Remember, you are interviewing for a job.  Approach the phone interview in the same manner you would an in-person interview. Sit up straight while talking so that your voice projects strong and confident. Avoid phone interviews while driving: you won’t be able to give the call your full attention, and distractions like fire trucks and car horns only take away from your chance to make an impression. Take the call at a time that is optimal for you and in a quiet area free from disruptions. Recruiters will work with you to coordinate a time that works for both of you.

Smile When You Talk. Although we may not be face-to-face, professional recruiters can spot a bright, energetic candidate easily through the sound of their voice – and 9 times out of 10, they are smiling! Yawns, tiredness, and boredom have a sound that can be picked up right away and indicate a serious lack of energy (or interest). Perk up! Present the best of who you are for a good first impression. Sounding sluggish on the phone won’t get your résumé from the phone interview to the in-person interview with many recruiters. 

Ask Relevant Job Related Questions. Make the most of your interview by asking questions about the role, the company, and the culture.  Steer clear of asking personal questions of the recruiter, and focus on getting information that will help you make an informed decision about whether or not the position is a good fit for you.

Tina Smith is a Sr. Recruiting Specialist with The Steritech Group, Inc., the leading provider of brand protection services in North America. To see more interview, resume, and job search tips from Tina, follow her here on LinkedIn. To learn more about Steritech’s open positions, visit www.steritech.com/careers.