Assistant Director for Professional Development
Being offered a phone interview as the first step in the interview process is becoming more and more common. Phone interviews are arduous for all interviewees because of the difficulty in making a connection and building rapport with someone that you can’t see. Below are several helpful tips on how to impress a potential employer over the phone: - Prepare for a phone interview as if it were an in-person interview: Phone interviews are first interviews; you will be asked a similar set of questions and the employer will have similar expectations as if you were speaking with them at their place of business. Therefore, be sure to do your homework beforehand, practice your answers, and prepare a set of questions. The more you prepare for the interview, the more confident you will be during the phone conversation.
- Make sure you have a location to take the call that is quiet and free from distractions. The last thing you want is to not properly hear a question or appear unfocused. The interviewer does not know what may be happening at your end of the phone, so by all means make sure that you are in a quiet, well lit and comfortable location.
- Wear something that makes you feel like a winner. Dress in an outfit that makes you feel good about yourself, while being comfortable at the same time.
- Keep things simple. Don’t expect to have the time to look at notes while answering questions. You’ll need to focus on what the interviewer is saying, and want to keep the discussion as a conversation.
- Do not reveal your salary expectations in a phone interview. You do not want to be boxed in on a salary before you have met the employer in person and discussed the position with them face-to-face. Respond with something like, “Well, I think we are a little ways from having that chat, but if it seems like a good fit for the both of us, then I’m sure salary won’t be a problem.” If pushed further, explain that you are not comfortable stating a number until you have a full picture of the position, including meeting your co-workers, visiting the firm/company, and having a better idea on what the job will entail.
Some content was provided in an article by James Clear entitled 99 Interview Tips That Will Actually Help You Get a Job. Click here to read the article.
