How to Prepare for a Phone Interview

Phone interviews are becoming more and more popular as a way for hiring managers to find the perfect fit for the jobs they are trying to fill. This means it is more important than ever to know how to prepare for a phone interview. Check out these quick tips to get you started:

1. Take Your Phone Interview Seriously

It may be tempting to think of your phone interview as a casual first conversation with the hiring manager, but in many situations, this may be the only interview you have before the hiring manager makes his or her decision, so it is important to take it as seriously as you would an in-person interview. Make sure you have ample time set aside in your schedule as you would for an in-person interview and present yourself professionally.

2. Prepare Your Information

Just like you would for an in-person interview, you need to have information prepared so you can answer the hiring manager’s questions. You will not be sitting across from someone going over your resume item by item. Have your resume, work history, and references in front of you during your interview, so you can answer any questions he or she may have.

3. Find a Quiet and Private Location

Because you are not going into an office to meet with the hiring manager, you will need to find a space to do your interview. Ideally, it should be indoors, quiet, and private with minimal distractions. You also should not use speakerphone when doing a phone interview. You want the hiring manager to be focused on you and your skills not what is going on in the background.

4. Use a Reliable Phone

Another important step to preparing for your phone interview is checking the reliability of the phone you are using. When scheduling your phone interview, make sure you know how the interview will take place. Is there a call-in number? Will the hiring manager call you? Do they have the correct phone number on file? Is the phone with that number reliable and available to you at the time of the interview? These are all things you will want to verify before your interview.

5. Speak Clearly

You want to present yourself as professionally as possible, even in a phone interview. Part of that is speaking, slowly, and loud enough for the hiring manager to hear you over the phone. He or she will not be able to see your body language or facial expressions so enunciating is super important. Also, be patient if your hiring manager asks you to repeat something; they may not have been able to hear you.

Phone interviews can be very effective in helping you get the job you want, especially if done thoughtfully and professionally. Try these tips on your next phone interview and check out our other blog posts on interviews.