In the midst of the dreadful pandemic that we are all currently facing, it isn’t a surprise should you encounter your first line of the interview via telephone. But the rules of engagement are certainly different from a telephone interview. On the one hand, the physical anonymity of talking to someone on the telephone as opposed to in-person can be a relief of nervous (and more) on introverted candidates. You could breathe easier since you don’t have to maintain eye contact, the feeling of the firmness of a handshake, or even that awkward body language that you need to control over the interview itself. Despite all that, make no mistakes that telephone interviews should also be taken as seriously as a face to face interview.
Here are a few tips to help you make a lasting impression on your next phone interview, and could certainly get you to the next round:
Benjamin Franklin once said: “by failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” You cannot stress enough of good preparation for a successful telephone interview session. While you don’t have to put on a suit or professional attire for a telephone interview (assuming not a video conference/chat), you will have to convey a professional tone and character; which for starters means no loud coffee shop chatters or children screaming in the background should you take the call from home. Prepare and make a small research to acquire the perfect time for your telephone interview and also the quietest, comfiest, and most secure place for the interview to take in place. Besides that, do also prepare your CV up to date and in front of you while having the telephone interview as it will guide you for a smoother interview session.
One of the advantages of taking an interview over the phone (assuming it isn’t a video chat, obviously) is that your interviewer can’t see what you’re doing during the call, which can make it tempting to give in to distractions like surfing the internet, scrolling through social media on another device, or doing your research on the fly. Resist the temptation at all costs and only focus on the interview. Remember, good Interviewers/Recruiters can sense your focus even over a telephone interview, and you will come across as distracted and/or worse: uninterested in the position should you lose that focus. Again, always prepare for the telephone interview and do your research beforehand as you would for a face to face interview and give the call your full attention.
It might sound like a cliché, but over the phone, your voice is your instrument. The interviewer will have nothing else to go on but the impression you make over the phone, so you will have to do less with more. Consider doing a practice call or two with a friend or trusted colleagues to make sure that your voice is steady, strong, and conveys confidence and professionalism, especially if you are prone to nervous laughter or chatter when you’re anxious or stressed.
Showing your personality over the phone can be difficult, but you don’t want to come across as a robot or worse – not as yourself. Be prepared and work to keep your nerves in check but let your interviewer “see” who you are to get a leg up on the competition.
After the call, follow the same protocol as you would with an in-person interview to reinforce your professionalism and interest in the position and the company. Do thank the interviewer for his/her time and request a follow-up or a possible next step.
Good Luck!
