Three Ways to Stay on Track During a Phone Interview

Nancy Anderson
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For many companies, a phone interview is the first step in the hiring process. Companies use phone interviews to get a feel for the candidate's personality and character. Phone interviews are often a challenge because it can be difficult to put your best foot forward if you're not in the room with the people interviewing you. However, if you stay focused and on task, you can ensure you have a successful phone interview.

1. Dress Professionally

One important step to staying focused during a phone interview is to dress as though you are there in person. Believe it or not, the people conducting the interview can tell a lot about you through your voice. If you don't feel professional, you probably won't sound professional. To alleviate this problem, make sure you're in professional clothing during the interview. Wear a button-down shirt, or a nice dress. Looking better makes you feel better, and feeling better can ensure you sound more confident and professional. Looking more professional also helps you maintain a positive body posture and keep your mind focused on the talk at hand.

2. Take the Call in a Quiet Place

Another important step is to make sure you conduct your phone interview in a quiet place. During the interview, you're fielding questions from people you've never met and cannot see; handling this task is made more difficult by unnecessary distractions. Make sure to limit distractions by receiving the phone call in a quiet room. Questions from family members, barking dogs or interruptions from neighbors can derail your train of thought or, worse yet, ruin your chance of getting a great job. Without the worry of being disrupted, you can put all of your energy into thoughtfully answering your interview questions and, hopefully, landing the job.

3. Prepare Accordingly

Finally, conducting a great phone interview is like preparing for a final exam in that you need to study your notes and come prepared. Having a pen, paper and your resume on hand helps remind you of the goal at hand: getting the job. Make sure you have studied your resume. Many employers ask how your past experience prepared your for the current opening. Make sure you are ready to answer these questions by studying your resume and knowing how your skills fit within the company's needs. Having your resume on hand keeps you focused on your skills and experiences, and a blank sheet of paper gives you a place to organize new information you learn during the interview.

Staying focused during a phone interview can be tough. You can't see your interviewer's reactions, so it's difficult to know how the process is going. You can help your cause by dressing professionally, conducting the interview in a quiet area and keeping your resume on hand during the interview. These steps can help you stay focused and prepared as you start the journey to get your dream job.

 

Photo courtesy of photostock at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 
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  • Sylvia F.
    Sylvia F. •

    Thanks. These are helpful tips.

  • Robert S.
    Robert S. •

    I would add a forth point. If you can, have a mirror so that you can SEE yourself. Are you smiling? Do you have a disgusted look on your face at a question or response from the interviewer? What ever emotion you see in the mirror as you respond and interact with your interviewer will be reflected in your voice.

  • Elizabeth p.
    Elizabeth p. •

    I made all telephone interviews then when I get to the interview I fail 6 times already. Your comment is exceptional

  • Helen C.
    Helen C. •

    To get the feel for the person, whether they are smiling, pleasant to talk with, if they are clear spoken over the phone or if you are not the person they want working their front desk.

  • Muhammad A.
    Muhammad A. •

    Very practical and professional advise for all job seekers. Preparing before hand, making the required environment for the telephonic interview and keeping the resume handy are the essentials.

  • Kent V.
    Kent V. •

    I'd like to see more substantive phone interview advice,such as what to do with impossibly open ended questions such as "tell me about some projects you ran, the results you obtained, and the tools you employed." Even an efficient answer will come off as rambling on the phone and might even be cut off with some irritation. The phone interview tests way more than whether you have the sense to send the dogs away or feel good about yourself in your work duds. It's time for career coaches to bone up a bit.

  • Lisa B.
    Lisa B. •

    Definitely food for thought and psychologically sensible. Thanks!

  • LaToya J.
    LaToya J. •

    Very valuable information, for staying on track during a ohone interview.

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