Get Phone Interview Friendly!
Ever had an interview over the phone??It’s a common occurrence in the recruitment process and often takes place in the early stages of applying for a job.
However, when you can’t rely on a smile to convey warmth or understanding, or use your hands to express your enthusiasm, how can you show an interviewer you are the best for the job?
?? Note down all the details
It may sound obvious but, the next time you're invited to have a phone interview, make sure you are clear on:
?? the date and time of the interview
?? the name of the person who will be calling you
?? the name of the company
?? the role you're applying for
Also double check that the company has the right phone number to reach you on the day.
?? Do your research
With any kind of interview, doing research is vital, so don’t skip this step.?The employer will want to hear how enthusiastic you are about joining their company and what you could bring to the role. Take a deep dive into:
?? the company – what are their values, what initiatives are they involved in...?
?? the job description – get to know it inside out!
?? your CV or application form – know exactly what you’ve said you can do and why you care about the job.
Having this knowledge secured in your brain will help you to ask and answer questions confidently in the moment. To help you plan further for the interview, you could:
?? make some prompt cards to have in front of you during the call
?? think about the sorts of questions your interviewer will ask and make bullet point notes with your answers
?? Prepare 2 or 3 questions you can ask your interviewer
?? Plan where to take the call
Make sure you have a dedicated space to take the call on the day - somewhere quiet without any distractions. If you live in a shared space you may need to ask your housemates or family to be quiet during your interview.
?? Practise your interviewing
Practising can boost your confidence and help you perform better on the day.?You could ask a friend or family member to ask you some interview questions , or you could record yourself speaking and then listen to it.?You are aiming for your voice to be clear, to be talking at a reasonable pace (not too fast!), and to sound engaged.
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On the interview day
Be organised and prepared. Make sure you have:
?? a pen and paper or laptop to take notes
?? your CV and application form
?? prompt cards for any reminders you need
?? your phone charged (and your mobile switched off if you’re using a landline phone)
??????earphones to use, if they help you to focus
Top Tip!?Dress smart.?Even though the interviewer cannot see you, dressing smarter can help you get into the right mindset for a formal interview situation. Standing up on the call can make some people feel more confident too.
Be ready at least 10 minutes before your interview time so you have a chance to settle yourself. Take some deep breaths and try to stay calm.
When you’re on the call:
?? be polite and professional
?? tell the interviewer if the line is bad or you cannot hear
?? smile as you talk – this can help you to sound engaged and interested
?? be clear and confident
?? leave a small gap at the end of each question before answering, to avoid talking over the interviewer
?? ask the interviewer to repeat the question if you’re not sure what they’re asking
At the end of the interview, thank the employer for their time. You can also ask them when you can expect to hear the outcome of your interview.
After you’ve put the phone down...
Give yourself a pat on the back – you did it! ???No matter how you feel it went, it was a valuable experience and you should feel proud that you did it.
Think about what you've learned from the experience. Consider updating your prompt cards with your ideas for next time, and consider what went well and what you feel went amiss.
If you need further advice about how to ace your next interview, we always support our candidates as much as we can – get in touch with us for a chat!