6 Tips For A Successful Phone Interview

A good résumé may no longer be enough to get you in the door. Many companies use phone calls with candidates who look good on paper to determine if those applicants are ready to move to longer, more in-depth interviews.

Whether you make the first cut for a job may depend on what you do before, during and after a phone interview. Here are our 6 top tips to up your odds for success.

1. Just like a face-to-face interview, do your homework. Make notes on the company, research potential questions and, of course, be well rested, sharp and interview ready. One of the greatest advantages of the phone interview for job candidates is the ability to have all your talking points physically laid out in front of you during the interview. So be prepared!
2. Practise your tone. Your voice will take centre stage and replace vital body language, so before the call practise and perfect a clear, positive tone.
3. Unlike a standard interview, you are in control of your location, so be sure you have as little background noise or distractions as possible and have all your research, notes and resume information to hand. And while the interviewer can’t see you, you won’t feel, or sound, as business-like in your pyjamas, so wear business attire!
4. Don’t be caught off guard. Get yourself stationed for the call 10 minutes before the arranged time and make sure your phone is charged and in full signal
5. Listen first, then talk. Usually the interviewer sets the stage. He or she will talk about expectations, why the person before you left, what it takes to be successful in this company and what the major challenges will be. Take notes so you are able to respond to all these points when it is your time to talk.
6. A phone interview still plays host to interview protocol, so greet your interviewer by name, ask lots of questions and confirm the next steps when the interview is finished. You should also make sure that you call your recruitment consultant to give feedback as they will be talking to the hiring manager following your interview.

One benefit of being on the phone is that you can take a moment to collect your thoughts, look at your notes, and breathe before answering a question. It’s always ok to pause for a few seconds — these breaks in the conversation often seem longer than they really are! If you need extra time, you can say to your interviewer: “That’s a great question, let me take a moment to think about it.”

So, that’s it! If you follow all of the above, you should be well on your way to having a fantastic phone interview that will help to get you your dream job.

Wishing you the best of success in your future career! If you would like any free and confidential advice on achieving the career of your dreams in the Animal Health, Agricultural, Equine or Pet industries, please do get in touch.