Answering the Call: Common Phone Interview Mistakes & How to Overcome Them

Phone calls may be going out of style in your personal life, but they are a foundational part of the interview process. Recruiters, like me, utilize phone screenings to gather basic information about candidates, pitch the available role, gauge a candidate’s interest, and ensure that they meet the qualifications for the role. During the past couple of years as a Professional Recruiter for Calculated Hire, I have conducted thousands of phone screenings and have noticed that many candidates are guilty of making the same simple, but costly mistakes. On average, I only moved 28% of my candidates to the next stage of Calculated Hire’s?interview process. In other words, whether you are new to the job market, or an experienced professional, we all could benefit from some phone interview practice.??

It's Still an Interview?

Before we take a deep dive into the things that might hinder a recruiter from moving you forward, let’s establish what makes phone interviews/screenings special. For starters, people are visual communicators, and the phone removes a lot of those non-verbal cues like eye contact, talking with your hands, and even facial expressions. Having no visual cues is tough, but the possibility of other challenges like disruptive?background noise can also affect your?performance.?

The last thing to keep in mind while reading is that we use phone screenings to ensure that only qualified candidates that are truly excited about the position move on in the process. Throughout the interview, I am looking for quick insights into how you will behave in future rounds as well as in on-the-job situations. In later stages of the process, recruiters will dive extensively deeper into your background, so still view the call as an interview, but also a bit of a relaxed experience.??

The Most Common No Reasons & Phone Interview Mistakes:

• No Apparent Interest in the Role?– You’ll recall that “gauging a candidate’s interest” is the main goal of the phone interview, so showing a lack of interest or not conveying that interest is a major reason why candidates DO NOT make it to the next round.?

-?Not Researching the Company?

-?Not Reading the Job Description?

• Poor Professionalism?– At the end of the day, it is still an interview, and professionalism is key! Any sign of not taking the process seriously could be all?a recruiter needs to deny you.?

-?Having a noisy or distracting background.?

-?Doing something else, like grocery shopping or talking to other people.?

• Being Able to Start Without a Notice?- This may come as a surprise to some candidates, but no recruiter wants to hear that you can quit your current job and start without notice. Some think that this shows their dedication to the potential position, but it hints at your unprofessionalism – and even that you might do it again?in the future!?
• Negotiating Pay Upfront?– Another?controversial topic, as candidates have the right to know the position pay range before applying. I personally share the compensation range on all job postings and even in my initial outreach messages. We usually have a very strict budget with little room for change, so even a few dollars over the posted rate would cause?hesitation.?
• Speaking Badly About Past Roles, Employees, or Managers?– Technically this could fall under poor professionalism, but I specifically mention it because it is such a common mistake. We have all had rough working conditions but bringing them up in the first stage of the process is like talking about your ex on the first date – it is only going to make you look bad.?
• Year-Long Job Gaps with No Explanation?– If you just wanted to take time off for yourself or your family?own it! There are plenty of valid reasons to take a break, but the idea that someone has been seriously looking?for 2 years with?no luck is a huge red flag.?

Simple Solutions for Simple Mistakes?

If you got to this point in the piece, then you may have noticed that most of the “No Reasons” can be chalked up as simple mistakes. I couldn’t agree more! Let’s talk about how?you can avoid these mistakes and stand out as a quality candidate.?

Addressing the Most Common No Reasons & Phone Interview Mistakes:?

• Express Your Interest in the Role!?– I say “express” because there are no visual cues on the phone. However, there are a few measures you can take to sound informed, confident, and, most importantly, interested!?

-?Use the Job Description?– When I chat with a candidate, I have their resume pulled up?so I can quickly reference past experiences and skills. As a candidate, you should do this with?the job description and?highlight specifically how you will be a good fit.?

-?Research the Company?– Besides?the job description, an organization's LinkedIn profile and website will also be a great insight into the organization's culture, operations, and industry.?

-?Stand Up?– Yes, I mean physically stand up! By standing up, you will sound much more confident on the phone, and thus more engaged!?

-?Take Notes?– I take notes so that I can reference anything said on the call. I encourage you to do something similar.?

-?Ask Quality Questions?- Having questions prepared is another great way to express interest. The recruiter should be able to provide answers to anything?about the company/team culture, core values, compensation, and even what the interview process entails.?

• Have an Elevator Pitch?– What’s an “Elevator Pitch?” Picture yourself taking a quick ride?in an elevator with a future boss, what could you say to this potential employer that would highlight your qualities?as a candidate, skill sets, and past accomplishments??

-?My Ideal Elevator Pitch?– I always open interviews?by giving the candidate a chance to quickly share their most recent positions, what a typical day looked like, as well as why and what they are looking for in their next role.?

• Avoid Negative Talk?– Recruiters understand better than most that not every position is a perfect fit, but we still interpret negative remarks as unprofessional. It’s best to avoid it but sometimes it just comes up, so here are some better ways to address past experiences. Regardless of what you choose, keep it simple!?

-?“Not a Good Culture Fit”?– Here at Calculated Hire, culture is everything! We know just how important culture is to your success as an employee. Use this phrase instead of mentioning details of past troubles.?

-?“No Room for Advancement”?– This is the catch-all response for most candidates as we mainly leave a job in hopes of advancing our career.?

-?“Wanting to Grow New Skills”?– Whether you are burnt out on your current industry or?role, this answers that?and highlights your willingness to grow!?

• Time Management is Everything?– Keep the following tips in mind before the call.?

-?Find a Quiet Place?– Dedicate a space for yourself to take notes, easily view the job description, and limit background noises.?

- Check Your Equipment Beforehand?– Whether you are using a headset, speakerphone, or a standard phone, test it!?

- Pay Attention to Time?– Remember?short and sweet! Make sure your conversation?is targeted and deliberate. It’s okay if the phone interview ends early – most do, but they should never go over 20 minutes.?

• Be Your Best Self!?- Ultimately, we want to get to know you, your future goals, and your interests?so that we can ensure?a great fit for the position. Only by being yourself can you increase the odds of not only landing the job but?loving it!?

Before I Hang Up?

I hope you enjoyed learning these tips and tricks, and more importantly, that they will help you progress in the interview process! As a Professional Recruiter for Calculated Hire, I am passionate about helping professionals, regardless of their industry, to?find the next step in their career journey. I care about the success of my candidates and how I can help improve their job search! Please feel free to comment or share any other mistakes or tips that I may have missed. You can also reach out to me via a message on LinkedIn, or via email at?[email protected]?if you are looking for more interview help!?

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I hope you enjoyed this piece and encourage you to follow me on LinkedIn for future interviewing tips. You can also visit Calculated Hire’s website to learn more about our?current openings?and the?professions?we support. If you are looking for more insights from Calculated Hire, feel free to read?“What is Staffing & Why Are Recruiters Emailing Me?”?by Hayes Donahue, Professional Recruiter to learn more about the benefits of working with a recruiter. Happy hunting!??