7 Tips For A Successful Phone Interview

By michael vivar 

COVID lockdowns and subsequent hybrid schedules made it apparent many in-office obligations can be handled remotely. This includes interviews.

Many interviews are now conducted via the many popular video conferencing apps such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams.

Some hiring managers are old school and still hold interviews over the phone. If this is unfamiliar territory, here are seven tips to succeed in phone interviews.

Research

There's a bromide, "To be forewarned is to be forearmed." Do a deep dive into the prospective employer. Interviewers will be impressed by the effort.

Call Ahead

It's never safe to assume a small applicant pool and no possibility for confusion. Call to confirm an interview the day before to ensure no one's time is wasted.

Schedule Ample Time

If an estimated duration for the interview is provided, double it. Prematurely ending the meeting gives a negative impression of disinterest.

Find a Quiet Area

Ambient noise and other distractions can lead to miscommunication. Avoid taking an interview for a new job at the site of a current employer.

Take Notes

Unless it's explicitly stated, any interview can't be assured to be the final one. Notes will help refer to salient points from previous conversations.

Salary Expectations

If asked about compensation, give a range (e.g. $90,000 - $100,000). Emphasize being flexible regarding payment negotiations.

Smile

This may not be obvious to those inexperienced with phone interviews. A relaxed, amiable demeanor is conveyed over the phone as well as it is in person.

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