Mastering Phone Interviews: A Step-by-Step Guide
Understanding Phone Interviews
Phone interviews are an important step in the recruitment process. Companies use them to assess your skills and qualifications, gauge your working knowledge, and get an idea of what kind of person you are. Phone interviews are often stress-inducing, but they don’t have to be. Learning how to master a phone interview can help you prepare, make a positive impression on your interviewer, and increase your odds of snagging the perfect job.
Importance of Preparation
As with all types of interviews, preparation is essential. Begin by researching the company. You should know enough about the company and industry to ask meaningful questions during the interview. Search the internet for information about the company and the position you’ve applied for. Make sure you closely review the job description so you’re aware of the job requirements. Furthermore, prepare a few questions of your own, which convey interest in the job and the company.
Be Confident and Show Your Personality
Your tone of voice can set the tone for the entire interview. Make sure your voice is steady and your tone confident. You don’t have to be too boisterous, but you don’t want to sound timid either. Speaking in a clear, enthusiastic voice shows that you’re involved and interested in the conversation. Additionally, try to show your personality. It’s hard to read or interpret body language during a phone interview, so you need to make sure your personality and good qualities come across in your voice.
Know Your Resume
It’s imperative that you review your resume before the interview so that you can confidently discuss your skills. Go into the interview with a plan. As the interviewer asks questions about your past experiences or skills, you should be able to succinctly and competently explain in detail the skills that make you an ideal candidate. If the interviewer asks about a certain experience, be prepared to explain the context and how it makes you an ideal candidate.
Research Competitors and Relevant Concepts
Conducting research on the company and the position will give you insight into the company’s competitors and the industry landscape. Familiarize yourself with the industry vocabulary and key players. Prepare a list of terms related to the industry, products, technologies, and business processes and be prepared to explain and define them during the interview. Also, be ready to talk about the differences and similarities between the company you’re interviewing for and its competitors.
Ask Relevant Questions
Asking questions about the job and the company conveys your interest and engagement in the position. Prepare a few questions beforehand to ask during the interview. Your questions should be related to the company’s mission, values, goals, and projects and position-specific questions. Stay away from pressing topics such as salary and vacation time until the job has been offered.
Show Enthusiasm
Enthusiasm is key to making a good impression during a phone interview. Use positive language such as “I’m energized” or “I believe passionately in this project” to convey your dedication and commitment to the job. Additionally, sound engaged, and make sure you take breaks during pauses in the conversation. Doing so allows you to digest what’s being discussed, while also conveying your enthusiasm for the topic.
Follow Up with a Thank You Email
After the phone interview, it’s important to keep the conversation going. Follow-up with thank you emails expressing your gratitude for the phone call. Reiterate your commitment to the job and provide any additional information the interviewer may have asked for. Writing a thorough thank you email demonstrates professionalism, commitment, and drive.