If you live far from the company you want to work for or if the company has received a lot of applications, you may be asked to take a telephone interview. Your goal here is to get to the next stage of the hiring process, where you will have the interview in person. To make a good impression, treat the phone interview as if it were in person. Respond professionally, keeping a polite and appropriate tone throughout the conversation.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Answer the Phone Call Correctly
Step 1. Greet the examiner in a professional manner
Probably the most important part of a telephone interview is how you answer the call. You know you are about to be contacted. Even if you get the call on your personal number, answer as if you were in an office.
When the phone rings, answer as soon as possible, no later than the third ring. Start with "Hello", then say your full name clearly. For example: "Hi, I'm Mario Rossi"
Step 2. Confirm that you were expecting the call
After the greeting, the examiner will also greet you and introduce himself. Write the name so you don't forget it, then let him know you were looking forward to being contacted.
For example: "Hi Laura! Thank you for taking the time to talk to me today. I am looking forward to discussing the opportunity to work for your company."
Step 3. Respond politely to the examiner
You should dress professionally and sit tightly at a desk or table to remind you that this is a job interview. Even if you're on the phone, be careful not to switch to too casual a tone.
- When using the examiner's name, call him by surname, with "Mr" or "Madam", or by the title he used when he introduced himself.
- Call the examiner by name only if you are specifically asked to do so.
- If the examiner compliments you or makes a positive comment about you, be sure to thank them.
Method 2 of 4: Make a Good Impression in the Rest of the Interview
Step 1. Take notes to rearrange your thoughts
One of the benefits of telephone interviews is that you can take notes while the examiner speaks or asks you questions. This can help you plan what you will say so that you can be sure that you have fully answered requests.
If the examiner asks you a multi-part question, write down a word or two for each part so you can remember them all. The examiner will be positively impressed when you answer in an organized way, listing all parts of the question
Step 2. Listen carefully and pause before answering
When you only hear a voice, with no visual input, it can be difficult to focus. Think about what the examiner is saying, try not to anticipate what you will say and not to take your mind off.
- Be silent for a few seconds before starting to speak. This not only allows you to make sure the examiner has finished speaking, it also gives you the option to rearrange thoughts before answering.
- If you miss part of the question or if you don't understand what the examiner is saying, ask for clarification before starting to answer.
Step 3. Speak clearly and spell the words
Regardless of the quality of the communication, it is more difficult to understand someone talking on the phone than listening to them in person. Compensate for this by speaking slowly and clearly.
- Practice this way of speaking during test interviews if you have speech problems or if you have a tendency to eat words.
- When you speak, make sure that you sit with your back straight and that you are not lying down or leaning back, as well as keeping your hands away from your face. Following these tips is easier if you wear headphones or if you put the call on hands-free, so you don't have to hold the phone close to your mouth.
Step 4. Ask follow-up questions to communicate your interest
The best interviews are two-way conversations. While the examiner will likely ask you at the end of the interview if you have any questions, you should take the initiative and ask questions when you have the opportunity.
For example, the examiner might ask you a question that reminds you of an article you read about one of the products their company is about to reveal. When you are done answering, you can ask "This reminds me of the article I read in Focus on your new technology! What impact will it have on remote communications?"
Step 5. Send a thank you note after the interview
At the end of the interview, take a few minutes to write a handwritten thank you note and mail it to your examiner. The ticket must no longer contain two or three sentences. Just thank him for his time and the opportunity given to you, then let him know that you are looking forward to being contacted again.
- Try to be as specific as possible. If something he said really impressed you, write it down.
- If you have been notified of a deadline by which you will receive a response, write it down.
Method 3 of 4: Look Professional and Confident
Step 1. Sit up straight at a desk or table
A phone interview is not a good time to lie down in bed or on the sofa. The way you sit affects your voice and the examiner will likely notice if you are leaning back. This sends the message that you are not taking the interview seriously.
- Lying down may also reduce the quality of the phone call, or make a lot of noise when you change your position.
- If you sit with your back straight, your voice projects authority and confidence, which your examiner will notice.
Step 2. Consider telephone interviews like in-person interviews
While it is true that the examiner cannot see you, the way you are dressed and your appearance have an effect on your tone and overall attitude. The examiner will notice this difference.
- You don't necessarily have to dress up like you would for an in-person interview, but at least put on clean, professional clothes before the phone call.
- Prepare for the phone interview as if you were preparing to go to work after being hired.
Step 3. Don't drink or eat
Even if you put the examiner on speakerphone, he can hear if you eat or drink during the interview. If you've ever heard someone drink or eat when they're on the phone with you, you can understand how distracting this can be.
- To continue with the idea of considering the telephone interview as the one in person, do not do anything that you would avoid in the course of a meeting with the examiner in his office; this includes eating, drinking or chewing gum.
- Keep a glass of water handy if you get a dry throat. Take your mouth away from the phone to drink and avoid ice cubes that can make noise and be heard.
Step 4. Smile when you speak
When we smile, our face is more relaxed and the tone automatically becomes more friendly and cheerful. Even if the examiner can't see you, your voice will communicate positivity and enthusiasm.
Method 4 of 4: Prepare for the Call in Advance
Step 1. Research the company before the interview
Even if you've already gathered information about the company before submitting your application, once you've been granted a telephone interview it's time to dig deeper. Know what's going on in the company, as well as that industry in general.
- Search for news and go to the company's website to read press releases and find out what new products or services are about to be launched on the market. Take notes on the things you want to ask the examiner.
- Also learn about the activities of the company's main competitors. Also read news about that whole sector of the industry, in order to know the strengths of the market.
Step 2. Prepare answers to common interview questions
When you have a telephone interview, the examiner cannot see you. Use this advantage by writing notes that can help you when you have to answer particularly difficult questions.
For example, you will likely be asked what your strengths and weaknesses are. The answers to these questions should be organized and concise, as well as be related to professional and non-personal traits
Step 3. Practice talking on the phone
A telephone interview is very different from a chat with friends and family. Especially if you have no previous experience of using the telephone professionally, try to call as often as possible in the days leading up to the interview.
- When you talk on the phone, you don't get visual indications that a person has stopped talking or that it is your time to answer. Practicing your calls can help you get used to it so that the conversation runs smoothly.
- If you have no reason to use the phone, ask a friend or relative if they are willing to practice with you. Ask him to call you at a specific time and consider it an interview.
Step 4. Find a quiet place to answer
Prepare an area of the house or a quiet area where you have the ability to control background noise and activities around you. If you are using a mobile phone, make sure the reception is good.
If your home is noisy, with children and roommates coming and going, find another place where you have enough privacy. Many libraries have conference rooms or study rooms with closed doors that you can book; just make sure you prepare the room well in advance
Step 5. Turn off notifications and electronic devices
If the examiner hears alerts or vibrations from a device during the interview, they will get the impression that you are doing something else while you are talking to them. Give him your full attention, just as you would if you were in his office.
Other devices can also interfere with the signal and affect the quality of reception if you are using a mobile phone. Turn off all Wi-Fi devices in the zone where you will receive the call, or move them to another room for the duration of the interview
Step 6. Collect all documentation
Organize your notes, company information, copies of your resume, and other materials so you can easily refer to them when you are on the phone with the examiner.
Keep everything in sight, so you can easily browse what you need without having to move or flip through many pages. The examiner may feel that you move when you are on the phone and you risk looking more disorganized and cluttered than you really are
Step 7. Try some breathing exercises before the phone call
You will likely feel nervous as the interview approaches. Deep breathing can calm your voice, help you relax and focus.
