Hints and Tips for a telephone interview

Facing a telephone interview can be more daunting than an actual face-to-face interview, and that’s because most interviewees would rather gauge reactions face-to-face from the hiring manager you are meeting. It is worth noting that telephone interviews are largely not preferred because clients like to meet and assess a cultural fit, so below are a few of CassonX's helpful hints and tips on how you can make sure you perform well in one of the more difficult types of interviews:

• Most modern mobile devices are smartphones. As most of us carry one of these, in most cases we have a picture assigned to our contact details. Make sure the picture is professional as you don’t want the hiring managers first thoughts of you being distracted by a picture of you in a less than perfect situation.
• We are always uncomfortable answering calls from withheld or unknown numbers, but your interviewer might be calling from an anonymous number, so make sure you still answer the call as planned. Make sure you answer the call professionally and when confirming the time, always be aware of any international time zone differences.
• You must still use professional language as you would in the office environment. Deliver as you would in a face to face interview. By them not being able to see you doesn’t mean you put less effort in. Enthusiasm is the key.
• Make sure you standing or sitting up straight and still. It is important to make sure you don’t slouch because when you do you squeeze your diaphragm and it makes it harder to breath, and thus making you sound out of breath. Do not get distracted or multitask. Turn your music or TV off and sit in silence. Just concentrate on convincing them to hire you. Just focus your attention on the other person you are talking with. Make sure that you have the conversation in a stable quiet environment - for instance do not do it on a treadmill or on a train that could go through multiple tunnels and lose connection as example.
• Smile and deliver your answers in a slow, clear and concise manner. It may sound weird, but you can always tell when someone is happy on the phone! You may also have an accent so it’s important your interviewer understands you, in these cases it is recommended you talk a little slower than usual.
• It is a must that you have your CV and the spec in front of you, that way you can refer to your examples on your CV and the requirements they have presented to you in the spec.
• Take the time to listen to your interviewer and don’t interrupt them. Always make notes.
• Do not eat or drink. The hiring manager doesn’t want to hear you chomping or slurping down the phone.
• Some international calls may experience delays, so make sure you have connected to your Wi-Fi or internet to help the call, and that your device is fully charged.
• If you are having a video based conversation, dress professionally! then make sure you are not in your pyjamas and you are still presenting yourself professionally for the role in question.

For more information of why you may not succeed at interview, please review CassonX’s previous blog:

https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/why-you-may-succeed-interview-james-manders?trk=prof-post