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Your resume was effective enough and
put forward the neat things that caught the hiring manager’s attention.
Congratulations! So, what’s next, an actual interview? Not always.
In
today’s turbulent rhythm of life, more and more employers use phone interviews
as an intermediate stage between resume screening and in-person interview.
Hiring managers see a phone interview as a way to narrow down a pool of
candidates and save their time. Moreover, this can be an only interview you
will have if you have applied for a remote position.
The
peculiarities of a phone interview
If
you don’t see a phone interview as a ‘real’ interview and believe that you can
hold it in a relaxed way, you’re totally wrong. A phone interview requires you
to be more self-collected and focused than in-person interview to make it to
the next round. The matter is, as the hiring manger doesn’t see you, they can’t
evaluate your body language, your appearance, so the answers you will give and
your tone will be the only grounding for evaluating your candidacy.
TIPS
TO EXCEL IN A JOB INTERVIEW
·
Prepare as thoroughly as for
in-person interview
Again, a phone interview must be taken even more serious than in-person
interview. So, prepare for it just like if you were preparing for a job
interview in person: do a research about the company and its goals, think of
your answers to standard and tricky questions, and consider using
stress-reduction techniques if necessary.
·
Be ready for a phone call anytime
If you’re in the middle of a job search process, it means that your phone can
ring anytime. So, keep it out of reach of kids and fully charged.
There are two types of phone interviews: scheduled and unscheduled. If the
prospective employers gets in touch to conduct an unscheduled interview, try
scheduling it at another time by saying that you can’t give the call the needed
attention straightaway.
·
Create a list of smart
interview questions
Although it’s the hiring manager who sets up the tone of the conversation, it
doesn’t mean you should be passive. The interview questions (you can make
research of interview related questions) work it two ways: first, they need to
demonstrate your genuine interest in a position and impress the interviewer.
Secondly, they will help you to find out whether the position really aligns
with your career goals.
·
Prepare a quiet, comfortable
environment
As soon as the interview starts, you want
to be sure that no one will be interrupting you. Switch off the TV and ask your
family to stay out of the room for a while. Have a sheet with information about
the company and your interview questions at hand – they will be helpful if you
forget something due to the stress. Also, make sure you have a pen and a clean
paper sheet nearby in case you need to make notes.
·
Make sure your voice sounds
confident
As you are unable to send nonverbal signals during the phone interview, your
voice is the only tool you can impress the hiring manager with. Prepare a glass
of water so you wouldn’t have to clear up your throat during the conversation.
If you haven’t talked for several hours, Google a few voice exercises to do.
Keep in mind that your posture and facial expression affects the voice too, so
lying on a couch during the phone screening isn’t the best idea. Sit straight
or stand, and smile – surprising, but it’s in this position that your voice
sounds positively and with confidence.
·
Take 1-2 seconds before
answering the interviewer’s question
Sometimes interviewers ask the
question and then continue talking rather than waiting for you to answer.
In this case, if you and the hiring manger start talking at once, it will make
you feel awkward which is poor phone etiquette. So, prior to actually giving an
answer, wait a short pause. Moreover, it will help you focus and give a
thoughtful answer rather than blurt out something that just came to your mind.
·
Speak slowly and follow your
pronunciation
During the call, make sure the
interviewer hears you clearly. It also makes sense to speak a little louder
than you usually do. If the interviewer fails to hear some words, it can affect
the result of the interview.
·
End the interview on a positive
note
Obviously, it’s the hiring manager who dominates during the conversation and
sets the interview tone. Still, you should take the initiative to end the
interview positively. Thank the hiring manager for their time and express your
lasting interest in the job. Also, ask them about the next step of the
interviewing process and when you can follow up to check the status of your
application.
·
Send a thank you note after
the interview
In less than 24 hours (but not instantly after the phone call) do send a thank
you letter to confirm your interest in a job. You can reiterate some important
points you’ve made during the conversation and highlight why you will make a
great candidacy. Sometimes a well-written thank you note can help the hiring
manager make a decision in your favor.
·
Don’t scam the hiring manager
with emails
Even if you are highly interested in a job, no need to bother the company’s
representative with phone calls and emails. This can have an opposite effect.
It’s a good idea to follow up in a week, if otherwise was not specified by the
hiring manager. Indicate your continuing interest in a position and point out
you’d be delighted to meet during in-person interview. After that, leave the
situation up to them.
The
phone interview only allows you to make a good impression with your voice, so
make sure you sound confident. And, if you’ve done all necessary preparation
and took care of the atmosphere for a phone interview, everything should go
well.
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