Landing a dream job can be challenging, especially when the competition is so fierce. A moderately established company will receive many resumes when a new job post drops. But how can a company filter out potential candidates from thousands of applications?
The answer is an initial screening process also known as a “phone interview”. The whole purpose of a phone interview is to assess a candidate’s suitability for a job before inviting them for an in-person interview. Phone interviews are typically short, and involve a series of questions to summarize the qualifications, skill set, and experience of the candidate. A phone interview also helps the interviewer to check on the communication skills and whether the candidate is fit for the position they are interviewing him for.
So, how do you prepare yourself for a phone interview? After all, it is quite different from an in-person interview and you only have your voice to bamboozle the interviewer. Do not worry, to help you prepare, we have compiled a comprehensive list of phone interview tips that will increase your chance to clear the initial screening process. We divided our tips into three segments: Tips before an interview, Tips during the actual interview, and Tips at the end of a phone interview, feel free to navigate according to your needs.
Tips before an interview
You have just received an email or a phone call informing you about a phone interview. You are panicking about what to do and how to prepare. Here are some essential tips to help you out.
Get clear instructions
The first tip is to get clear instructions on when the interview is going to happen and who will be talking to. It is common for applicants to apply to several places at once, so make sure you know which company they are calling from. Additional details like which number they will call from or at what time the call may be initiated may also help.
But what if you do not know the answers to these questions? It is completely fine to send a follow-up email inquiring about your confusion. Here is a sample email that you can use.
Hi [Name],
I’m really excited to speak with you on our phone interview! I just wanted to double-check what time the call is scheduled (If you are unavailable at a particular time of the day, mention it ) and what number you’ll be calling from.
Please let me know if there’s anything else you need from me before our call. I look forward to our call.
With kind regards
[Your Name]
Research
Now you are aware of the details of the meeting, it is time to dig deep for some research. The key to clearing the initial phone interview is to treat it as any other interview and plan accordingly. You can learn more about interview tips by clicking here.
The art of any research for an interview starts with the job description. This is where you get an idea of what exactly is the role you’re interviewing for and what the interviewer may ask you about over the phone. Make sure to understand clearly what is expected of you and the skill set that may be required for the role.
Next, check the company website and its social media handles to get some intel about their recent news updates, past achievements, and an overall vibe of what it’s like working there. Having this information will help you answer their questions in a more tailored way as well as ask the interviewer thoughtful questions. You can read our article on what questions to ask at the end of an interview by clicking here.
Prepare a sheet
Once you are done with the research phase, make sure to jot down all the information in a piece of paper. This way you can recall any information that you may need during the call without having to memorize anything. You can make bullet points and prepare some of the questions or topics you may want to discuss during the call.
There is no good or bad way of preparing your sheet as some people prefer a piece of paper, while others prefer having a soft copy on their computer. But make sure it is accessible during your call.
Prepare Your Salary Number
It is likely for the interviewer to ask you about your salary expectations as it is one of their go-to ways of filtering out candidates. Therefore, it is a good idea to know what you are worth and be prepared to present some justification for that number.
Prepare your tools
- You do not want to run out of battery during the interview call, do you? So prepare yourself with all the necessary tools you may need for the call. Here is a list of things you may need.
- Charger/Power bank
- Headphone ( Make sure it is compatible with your device)
- A notebook for note taking
- Calculator to help negotiate and crunch numbers
- Calendar
- Any other items you feel you may need during the call
Practice
And the final tip before you start your call is to practice answering the questions yourself. I personally ask myself questions and try answering them loudly, this helps me iron out any inaccuracies I may encounter.
It is also important to find a quiet room from where you can take the call. Cut any distractions that may hinder your focus and most importantly, try to be calm and composed. DO NOT answer what is not asked and try not to be diverted from the question asked. Remember, you have passed the initial screening process and if you answer everything accordingly, you have a good chance to get the final interview call as well.
Tips during the actual interview
Now that you have prepared for the decisive and often terrifying phone call, it’s time for some tips during the actual interview.
Start on good terms
First thing first, receive the call on time and start strong by introducing yourself. You can say something like “Hello this is [name]” and when the interviewer introduces himself, thanks for calling I am really excited about our phone interview.
A big disclaimer here, do not start saying words like What’s up as they may not be appropriate for the person on the receiving end.
Show that you are excited
Have a tone that shows you are excited about the interview. Speak slowly and most importantly do not forget to take pauses when speaking. It is also important to listen carefully to what the speaker has to say and answer accordingly. Ask any relevant questions that you have prepared earlier during the preparation phase and try to showcase that you have made the initial research and are willing to put in the effort to land the job.
Finish strong
Just like starting the interview, it is also important to finish on good terms. Finish the interview by stating how grateful you are for the opportunity and it was nice speaking to the interviewer over the phone. Leave a positive impression by confidently stating your interest in moving forward to the next stage of the hiring process and briefly reiterate your enthusiasm for the role highlighting key points that align your skills and experience with the job requirements.
After Your Phone Interview
After you have completed the interview, take some time to point out the details covered in the interview. If you were asked to do certain assignments as part of your evaluation process, it is now a good time to get started. Also, make sure to check your email or text message for any updates that you may receive.
Send a Thank You Note
A simple thank you note can take you a long way so make sure to send one as soon as you end the call. Let the interviewer know how grateful you are for the opportunity and your willingness to work at the company.
We have a detailed guide on how to write Thank You Note after an interview, do check it out.
Follow Up
If you do not hear back from the employer in around a week don’t hesitate to follow up. It is not uncommon for large companies to interview multiple candidates for a role and the hiring process can be longer than anticipated. So a quick update on the progress of your application won’t hurt.
Final word
A phone interview can be daunting, and if you are not careful it is very easy to mess things up. We hope our guide will help you and take you a step closer to your dream job. For more tips and tricks, don’t forget to follow our blogs.
