Preparation for a Telephonic Interview

A large number of companies nowadays start their selection process with a telephonic interview before calling a candidate for a face to face interview.

Once your CV goes through the initial screening process, a member of the company will line up your telephonic interview with one of the managers who would, after the interview, assess whether you should be called for the main interview round(s). So it is very important that you make a good impression. In addition, if you are applying for administrative jobs, sales jobs, or customer service jobs, this is an excellent way for an employer to determine the level of your effectiveness on the telephone. 

Tips to Prepare

Preparation. This is the key to any successful interview whether it is on the phone or face to face.

• Research the company you are interviewing with.

• Anticipate interview questions and have answers ready.

• Prepare good questions to show your interest in the job.

• Ensure this information is arranged and organized in front of you. In a telephone interview, you have access to all your written materials, including prepared answers.

• It is also a good idea to practice an interview with a friend or family member over the phone and get feedback on your performance.

Be Professional. Just as it is important to be professional when meeting face-to-face, this also applies to phone interviews.

• Wear formal clothes. You will take the interview more seriously.

• Remove all noisy distractions such as dogs, kids, other phones ringing, television, radio, and computer noises. Decide which room you would want to take the interview in.

• Ask and check that your interviewer can hear you properly and clearly.

• Don’t eat or chew gum, avoid coughing, yawning, and constantly clearing your throat.

• Be ready to speak and practice speaking in advance.

Project a Good Attitude

• Use an enthusiastic voice to sound energetic, interested, and ready to take the challenge. Smile as you talk. This will reflect in what the interviewer hears.

• Refer to your materials, don’t read from them.

• Don’t rush through your answers.

Listen

• Just because you are on a telephone interview does not mean you should talk more than if you were taking a face to face interview. It is very important in any kind of interview to listen and only speak when appropriate, without interrupting.

• Take notes in a phone interview. Note what the interviewer asks/ tells you and, if required, your responses as well.

The telephonic interview is growing in popularity as companies rely more and more on technology and less on personal contact. Make the most of this first opportunity to get your foot in the door, and treat it with the same importance you would treat a face to face interview.