Telephone Interviews

Interviewing

Discover who you are, what your skills and abilities are, and then find a career that fits you

Telephone Interviews

Many employers use an initial telephone interview as an efficient way to screen candidates before choosing which ones to interview in person. Since this is probably your first opportunity to market yourself with the organization, and to be selected to interview in person, keep the following tips in mind:

Be prepared:

Have your resumé, job description, and questions to ask the employer in front of you during the interview.
Be ready to give examples of your accomplishments and previous work experiences.
Write down the names of the people who are interviewing you so you can refer to them by name and also write a follow-up thank you note.
Have notes about the company on hand so you can refer to them quickly if needed.
Have your calendar ready.

Be present:

Stand up! Your voice will project better.
Be enthusiastic and smile—it will come through in your voice.
Conduct your telephone interview in a quiet place. Be sure children and pets are not in the room. Do not answer another phone or the door bell, or have any other distractions.
Speak directly into the telephone. Land telephones are better than cell phones for clearer connections and less chance of being disconnected.
Speak slowly and clearly. Remember your voice is all the interviewer has to distinguish you from other candidates.
Ask for clarification when needed, especially if you are unsure of the question and need time to think or process the question and forthcoming answer.

Practice:

Ask a career counselor, human resources professional, or even a friend or family member to practice a telephone interview with you. Ask for feedback on your answers, your voice inflections, and any habitual flaws in your speech like “um,” “er,” and “ah” that you may not be aware of.
Sell yourself in every response.