How To Ace The Phone Interview

This article provides information on How To Ace The Phone Interview

There are so many things to remember when it comes to effectively participating in an interview for an open position. It can often be very confusing and intimidating for an applicant to remember all the rules. Take for example, the role of the phone interview-is there a different protocol or list of tips for this kind of interview, as opposed to the standard in-person interview. There is, but the following tips will clear up any confusion you may have on the topic, so that you can effectively ace that job interview, and get closer to getting the job.

Be Prepared
The first thing you should have in mind when you have a job interview is to be prepared for it. This means that you have all the documents that might be needed in front of you, for easy reference. So, get a copy of your resume, your cover letter, a list of clients, and anything else you think might be asked of you and your career experience; so that you don’t look unprofessional or disorganized by rushing around the house shuffling papers and wasting the interviewer’s time.

Avoid Distractions
Do not have a phone interview when there will be any distractions present. Just because they can’t see you, does not mean that they cannot hear you. This means go into a quiet room with no other people or sounds, and use a landline where cell service might be patchy. Moreover, do not eat or smoke while on the phone as it is distracting to both you and the employer.

Practice the Interview
While it is true of all interviews, you should practice a phone interview to make sure that you are comfortable with the type of communication. Some people do better in person than on the phone and vice versa; but in either event, your communication should be clear and focused without a lot of umms and ahhs. Consider the questions that you will probably be asked, and rehearse answers that put forth a number of your best achievements and skill sets.

Project Positivity
One of the most compelling characteristics that a person can offer in an interview-even on the phone-is positivity. So, even though they might not be able to see your smile, they will hear it in your voice; so make sure in all communications with your employer on the phone that you are upbeat, enthusiastic, and positive.

Enunciate
Often, on the phone, people who are untrained at talking to potential employers in this manner, will get a bit nervous; and will either start speeding up their speech or just not enunciating. If this were to happen in an in-person interview, the interviewer would at least have a chance of possibly reading your lips; but this is not an option for phone interviews. So, speak slowly and enunciate your words so your great dialogue is not missed in translation.

In Person Interview
Lastly, the phone interview is often the precursor for an in-person interview. This said, at the end of the interview, you should inquire as to the possibility of an in-person interview in the future.