The JobSync Blog
Don't Phone it in when You Phone it in
September 14, 2011
With recruiters being flooded with many applicants for each job posting, the phone interview has become an increasingly used screening tool. Adding to the pressure is that recruiters will often decide within the first few minutes of a phone conversation whether they wish to advance the candidate to the next round (and you thought first dates were brutal?). With only 20% of applicants moving on to in-person interviews, you must be on your game for this often neglected phase of interviewing.
Getting Prepared
Dress the part. When Shakepeare said “…apparel oft proclaims the man,” he obviously meant don’t conduct a phone interview in your pajamas or workout clothes. Wearing business attire will help you maintain your focus, visualize more effectively, and conduct yourself professionally.
Pop a menthol cough drop before the call and keep water handy to help you sound your best.
Keep your resume and a list of thoughtful questions handy. It’s also a good idea to have some notes about the company nearby as well.
Disable your landline’s call-waiting and turn off your cell phone (that’s right, since you have the latitude, you’ll be making this call from a landline).
Answer the Call
In many ways, the phone interview itself is like in-person interviewing. You need to show enthusiasm and poise.
While you can’t mirror your interviewer’s body language (a favorite tact to put others at ease) or make appropriate eye contact, your choice of words should parallel your interviewer’s in terms of its sophistication.
Be patient and avoid interrupting the interviewer.
Take notes. Phone interviews give you the freedom to put key points down on paper that you can follow up on later after the call. At the end of the call, ask the interviewer if she has any concerns about your background with respect to its fit for the position. If the interviewer mentions any issues, do your best to defuse these concerns.
Post-chat Cheat Sheet
Much like a face-to-face interview, follow up with a thank you note and use it to address any unresolved issues from your phone call. Reiterate your interest in the position and explain why you are a good fit for the job. A surprising number of candidates fail to take these steps, underestimating the magnitude of a phone interview.
Hopefully, by following these simple phone interview tips, you will be able to move on to the next round instead of being disconnected.
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