Telephone Interview

You impressed the potential employer with your cover letter and resume, but now you have one more test to pass: the telephone interview. You will need to make a great impression to land your next job. Follow these 5 tips and you will leave the interviewer with a memorable impression.

Prepare for your interview

A few days before your interview, make a list of questions. During your interview, keep them in front of you. As you address each question, mark it off the list.  Add new questions as they occur.

Gather resume and other documents

Gather your resume and other documents and use as a reference during your interview. Highlight key information so that you can quickly find what you need.

Find a quiet place

Find a quiet place to hold your interview. It is best to find a space with a table so that you can sit and take notes. Any background noise or interruptions can leave the interview with a bad impression. Never hold a telephone interview outside or use a cell phone with a bad connection.

Take notes by hand

Note-taking can serve two purposes; it can keep you on track with the conversation and it can prepare you for the face-face interview.

Listen carefully and speak clearly

Listen carefully when the interviewer is speaking. When you are ready to respond speak clearly and keep your answers concise.  Avoid slang and don’t ramble.  Wait until the interviewer has stopped talking to respond.  If you need a moment to think about your answer, let the interviewer know and respond when you are ready.

A telephone interview is the last step before the face-to-face interview. By using these 5 tips, you will be equipped to make a great impression.