A phone interview may feel less formal than an in-person meeting, but it can play an important role in the hiring process.
Employers often use phone interviews to quickly understand a candidate's background, communication style, availability and interest in the position.
Following practical phone interview advice can help you sound prepared and confident.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT LOCATION
Find a quiet place where you are unlikely to be interrupted.
Avoid taking an important interview:
● In a busy café
● While driving
● In a crowded room
● Somewhere with unstable phone reception
KEEP YOUR RESUME NEARBY
Charge your phone beforehand and keep the volume high enough to hear the interviewer clearly.
One advantage of a phone interview is that you can keep useful information in front of you.
Have your resume, job description and a few notes nearby.
You might write down:
● Three achievements you want to mention
● Important skills from the vacancy
● Questions you want to ask
● The interviewer's name
● Basic company information
However, avoid reading complete answers from a script. Your speech should still sound natural.
PRACTICE YOUR INTRODUCTION
One of the first questions may be:
“Tell me about yourself.”
Prepare a concise introduction explaining:
● Your current professional situation
● Relevant experience
● Important skills
● Why you are interested in the opportunity
Keep the answer focused on information relevant to the job.
PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR VOICE
During an in-person interview, employers can see your expressions and body language.
During a phone call, your voice carries most of the conversation.
Speak clearly and avoid rushing through your answers.
Brief pauses are completely acceptable. Taking a few seconds to think can be better than immediately giving an unclear response.
AVOID MULTITASKING
It may be tempting to check messages, open different websites or walk around completing other tasks while speaking.
Avoid doing this.
Give the interviewer your complete attention.
Distractions can cause you to miss important information or give responses that sound unfocused.
PREPARE FOR COMMON QUESTIONS
When preparing for a phone interview, think about questions such as:
● Why are you interested in this position?
● What experience do you have that relates to the role?
● Why are you considering leaving your current job?
● What are your salary expectations?
● When would you be available to start?
You do not need to memorize answers word for word, but you should know the main points you want to communicate.
ASK ABOUT THE NEXT STEP
At the end of the call, you can ask what the next stage of the hiring process will involve.
This might include another interview, an assessment or a conversation with the hiring manager.
Knowing what happens next can help you prepare.
FINAL THOUGHTS
A strong phone interview depends on preparation, clear communication and focus.
Treat the call with the same seriousness as an in-person interview.
A quiet environment, organized notes and a few minutes of job interview practice can make it much easier to communicate your experience confidently.