Make the most of a phone interview

In the current business environment there are so many ways to conduct an interview.  Do we do it in-person? Do we do it over the phone?  Skype?. Regardless of the interview format used one constant has stood the test of time, the phone interview.

When going through the interviewing process, either with a recruiter or the manager directly, it is important to make a first impression as if you were sitting right in front of the person on the other end of the line.

Here are a few tips that I consult with candidates on when preparing to speak with a manager in my company.

1. Give yourself plenty of time before the call, you don't want to roll out of bed to a ringing phone and the manager is on the line.
2. When preparing for the phone call, dress as if you were walking in the door to the business.  Dressing for the interview puts you in a more professional state of mind and therefore you will present yourself professionally.
3. Find a quiet place to take the phone call.  Nothing will turn a manager off quicker than a dog barking next to you or the dreaded whisper to the kids, "be quiet I'm on the phone."
4. Make sure that you are in a place with a good phone connection.  Most of us use mobile phones as our main source of communication, so make sure you have plenty of bars on the strength meter, fuzzy or echoing discussions can be a real nuisance.
5. Keep your voice clear and calm.  Fluctuations in the voice can be just as powerful as a waving of the hand in person.
6. Lastly, keep your responses short and to the point.  Remember, the manager is probably sitting at his desk in front of his computer, don't give him a reason to answer that email that just popped up.

Regardless of the situation or the position, we will all be on a phone interview, whether as a candidate or a manager.  Make that impression up front so that the manager remembers you and wants to meet you in person, or even an electronic face to face is a great result also.

Good Luck and Happy Interviewing!