Four Tips for Better Phone Interviews

A phone interview is a simple way for an employer to evaluate a job candidate on its own turf. Job seekers who perform well during a phone interview become promising candidates for available positions. You can ace your next phone interview to land the job if you maintain a professional approach.

Warm Up First

Do not neglect to warm up before your interview simply because it is over the phone. To place yourself in a professional frame of mind, dress in business attire for your phone interview. Print your resume and other materials early. Walk around for a few minutes and breathe to stretch your limbs and lungs. Keep a glass of water nearby to prevent your mouth from becoming dry. Do not overeat before your phone interview to avoid embarrassing digestive sounds.

Brainstorm your answers to typical interview questions just as you would in a face-to-face interview. Ask someone to help you rehearse for your phone interview to calm your nerves and get you prepared for the process. Perform additional research on the company to answer job-related questions more appropriately.

Check Your Vocal Quality

The sound of your voice tells the interviewer a lot about your attitude; make sure to check your tone throughout the phone conference. Job seekers with harsh, snappy tones rarely receive a follow-up call. Pay attention to how you convey emotion in your words over the telephone.

By smiling on the phone during your interview, you project a positive tone into your voice and show greater enthusiasm for the position you want. Remember to take a moment to think before you respond, and formulate your words clearly so the interviewer does not ask you to repeat yourself. Use a landline phone to obtain better sound quality and a good connection.

Monitor Your Conduct and Surroundings

Making sure that your environment is calm and distraction-free is essential for an excellent phone interview. Turn off all electronic devices in the background to avoid disturbing yourself or the interviewer. Refrain from smoking and eating until after the interview. Do not interrupt the interviewer, and listen carefully to answer questions wisely. Avoid talking too fast or using slang speech in a casual response. Talking to other people in the room during your phone interview is not a good idea; make sure you can be left alone until the phone interview concludes.

Maintain a Proactive Approach

Although a phone interview can be less stressful than a face-to-face interview, resist the temptation to relax too much. Before you begin, ask about the structure of the interview process so you can silently prepare for every phase of the interview. This gives you a chance to pace yourself better. Keeping your ears and mind open is crucial for making a good connection over the phone. Pay attention to what the interviewer says and how it is stated as you progress to excel during a phone interview.

Do not forget to send a thank-you note after the phone interview to leave a better impression. A successful phone interview could score you a new position, so never leave the outcome to chance. Follow the necessary steps to prepare for your phone interview and perform well.

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