First impressions are everything, and the struggle to put your best foot forward is never more real than during job interviews.
And while all job interviews can be intimidating, phone interviews can often be the most daunting of them all. After all, how do you know you’re making a good impression if you can’t physically see your interviewer? How will you pick up on facial cues and body language? How can you seem prepared without reading notes? If you’re not sure, here are several key things that’ll help you ace that phone interview.
1. Start Strong
Since you won’t be able to make a physical first impression, you need to kill it on your vocal one. Answer the phone confidently as if you’re expecting it to be your future employer. Have a brief yet effective introduction for yourself prepared and let them know right off the bat that you are ready for this interview.
For example, if you were to be interviewing for a job at WayUp you could say “Hi [name of interviewer], I am thrilled to have the opportunity to speak with you about becoming a [position] at WayUp!” This tells the interviewer that you know what you want, and you’re enthusiastic.
2. Do Your Homework
This should be a basic rule of thumb for any interview, but being prepared to talk shop with a phone interviewer can be even more challenging. In person, you can observe an office and make conversation based on the environment. In this case, any conversation you make needs to be planned.
However, not being in a physical office offers you an advantage: You can keep notes on hand about important aspects of a company and the position. While you still don’t want to read off of what you wrote, you may get a couple of cues you wouldn’t otherwise get during an in-person interview.
3. Be Clear and Concise
Phone interviews are particularly hard because you cannot read the interviewer’s body language. Even on Skype interviews, you can tell how a person is feeling to some extent.
Because of this, it’s crucial that you remain upbeat and clear when you speak. This means no mumbling, “ums” or slang. Refer to the interviewer however he or she is introduced to you, avoid stammering and speak confidently.
Another pro tip: Stand up while you’re speaking; sitting down may cause you to slouch or feel tired. And hey, strike a power pose if you’re feeling it.
4. Let Them Finish
Nothing is worse than an awkward phone conversation. To avoid cutting off an interviewer, be patient and give him or her some time to breathe. Be eager to answer, but be sure that the other person is done talking first.
People will often chime in with more thoughts after they finish their sentences, so that extra second or two is crucial and trust me, hiring managers are used to this when conducting phone interviews!
5. Don’t Let The Call Drag On
“You hang up!”
“No, you hang up!”
This is the last thing you want happening on an interview call. If an employer seems like they are wrapping up your conversation, let him or her do it. Final impressions can be as influential as the first. As long as you are sure an interviewer is looking to hang up, be sure to thank him or her for taking the time, express your interest in the position and let him or her know you are looking forward to hearing from them in the near future. Be polite and be professional, and you will be remembered.
Next time you’re preparing for a phone interview, don’t stress about not being face-to-face, rejoice in the advantages you’ve gained. Have your notes ready, get comfortable and make that call. If you do it right, it could be the call that lands you your dream job.
