How to Prepare for a Phone Interview Like a Pro

If you have written your CV well, you will see that potential employers are contacting yourself for an interview. Today, the first contact with companies is through phone calls. So knowing how to prepare for a phone call can give you a distinct advantage over the competition.

Phone calls aren’t everyone’s favorite step in the job search process, but they’re more common than ever. Just like creating perfect resumes, phone calls are often necessary to find your dream job. As we become more dependent on digital tools, phone calls and conversations with potential employees over Skype, WhatsApp, and Google Hangouts are becoming increasingly popular among employers.

Because there is no way to read your interviewer’s statements, phone calls can be more misleading than regular face-to-face calls, dressing to impress makes less difference, and poor cell coverage issues can cause headaches. However, it’s important to remember that this is the first step towards meeting your potential employer face-to-face and getting a job. Still, a phone call is still a conversation and should be handled as such.

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Top Phone Interview Tips

Be Prepared

Like any formal job interview, it’s important to be prepared. The phone call is no different.

There are a few things you can do to make sure you are completely prepared to meet with a hiring manager. First of all, try to do some research about the person you are talking to. A quick LinkedIn check or Google search can tell you a lot about the experience and motivations of the person on the other end of the search.

Additionally, don’t forget to research the position and company. It’s worth re-reading the original job description or advertisement you originally answered. That way, you’ll be fully prepared to answer questions about the role.

You should also spend some time looking at the company’s website. It will help you understand the corporate message and mission much better.

What the hiring manager will be looking for is that you will benefit from doing this job as you can really showcase your knowledge. It also helps you prepare a few questions of your own to give the interviewer extra enthusiasm.

Here is a quick preparation checklist for your phone call:

Find a Quiet Place to Talk

The best part of a phone call is that you can do this almost anywhere without going to your prospective employer’s office. There are a few drawbacks though, the biggest being background noise or bad signal. What is the best way to prepare for a phone interview?,#How do I prepare for a 15 minute phone interview?,#What is asked in a phone screening interview?,#How long should you prepare for phone interview?,#Is a phone interview a good sign?,#How do you nail a phone interview?,#How do you say hi on a phone interview?,#What are the top 10 phone interview questions?,#How do you end a phone interview?,#What are the 3 best questions to ask in an interview?,#Is a 10 minute phone interview bad?,#What are the top 5 questions to ask an interviewer?,#How do you answer why should we hire you?,#How do you answer why do you want to work here?,#How do you know a phone interview went well?,#How do you sell yourself on a phone interview?,#How do you close an interview?,#What are your weaknesses?

If you are taking the call at home, it will be easier to find a quiet place to interv

iew. On the other hand, if you’re getting a call at your current workplace, it might be a little more misleading. If for some reason you are outside the house when an interview is due, find a quiet place to sit and, more importantly, come prepared with a headset. After all, you don’t want to miss any important information from the interviewer.

Don’t worry if the worst is the worst and you can’t find a su

itable place to chat, or if you find yourself in an area with pimply cell coverage. You can always reschedule until a more convenient time.

Speak Clearly and Smile

Talking on a phone isn’t always as precise as talking to someone in the same room, even with the best coverage. Therefore, it is important to make sure you speak clearly when speaking so that you can be understood correctly. First of all, avoid using slang and keep your language more formal and professional.

It may seem odd, but smiling in search really helps. While the interviewer may not be able to see this, it can positively affect the tone and frankness of your voice while speaking on the phone. Little touches like this will make a big difference.

Listen Carefully and Take Slowly

Phone calls are almost always the first step in a company’s hiring process. So the person you are talking to will likely spend most of the phone call explaining the business and the company in detail. Let them speak and never interrupt.

When it’s time to give the speech, remember to slow down and not rush while talking. This will not only keep you calm under pressure, but will also get your message across clearly.

Common Phone Interview Questions

As the interviewer will take more searching time to get to know you, your career history and motivations, you will likely encounter the following general interview questions in your interview:

What Happens After a Phone Interview?

When you’re done, don’t forget to send a quick follow-up email to thank your interviewer for your time and to re-express your excitement for the role. Much better if you can do it within 12 hours after the call. Proper job interview follow-up steps like these make a positive difference, especially if there are many other candidates for the position.

It’s probably a good idea to get information quickly and jot down any observation points that could help you improve in your next interview. This will also be useful if you are invited to a face-to-face meeting in the future.

As you can see, phone calls aren’t as scary as they seem. Like any other step of your job hunt, they take just the right preparation, calm and collected demeanor.

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