Phone screens have become the top choice for busy recruiters and human resource managers. . Phone interviews are generally less expensive for the employers and can provide the interviewer with a glimpse of whether the candidate is worthy of a in person interview. Candidates should take these types of interviews seriously. Your next job offer can be dependent upon it!
1. Pretend this is a face to face interview.
This means that you should be focused and come prepared with knowledge of both the company and the job. One benefit of having a phone interview is that you can have company materials in front of you for handy reference. Some people like to have the company’s website in front of them on a computer screen and others like to have a copy of their resume or job description. Figure out what works best for you and have those things available before you take the call. Be sure that you aren’t typing while you’re doing the phone interview. The interviewer may be able to hear your keyboard clicking, so pull up all the necessary websites and documents a few minutes before your scheduled call time.
2. Sit in a quiet location with great phone reception.
Background noises are very distracting to the interviewer and you want to make sure that the interviewer knows you are taking the interview seriously. If you take the call at a coffee shop or restaurant, you really aren’t in control of the ambient noise. Would you want a screaming toddler to interrupt your train of thought and be distracting to the person on the other end of the phone? Probably not. If you don’t have a quiet space available in your home, try sitting in a parked car.
3. Don’t let distractions lead to a poor performance.
Say no to the radio, shopping center music, noisy children, tv chatter…all of which can help form a negative impression of you with the interviewer. You should only be focusing on what the interviewer is saying. It’s very difficult to do so when there are other things competing for your attention. Be sure to follow up with a thank you email.