The secret to handling phone interviews

Phone interview basics

Phone interviews can be quite intimidating.  So much is lost when we move away from direct and face-to-face communication.  We may misinterpret things, speak at the wrong time or not understand tone.  These interviews are often used by recruiters in the initial stages of the recruitment process as a method to find the best candidates prior to face-to-face interviews.

Their purpose: a basic interview to allow an employer or recruiter to phone screen candidates on their background, experience, qualifications, and remuneration expectations to shortlist candidates for the next interview round.

Some candidates treat phone interviews as informal and do not prepare at all. Your goal is to make it to the face-to-face interview

Preparation is key!

Prepare an icebreaker, for expected questions and to ask questions about the role and organisation. Try to obtain the job description and understand how your skills match. It’s important to prepare as if you are meeting in person.  Make sure you have researched the organisation and interviewer (where possible).

The element of surprise

Phone interviews may be scheduled or surprise calls. Answer your phone professionally and create an appropriate voicemail in case you are not available.  Often a call will come through when you are travelling or in a noisy environment.  We all feel pressured to continue the interview  calls, so we don’t lose out – this is a sure way to interview failure. When you receive a call and it’s about the role you have applied for, don’t feel uncomfortable to re-schedule to a time when you have ideal conditions.

The right environment

Set aside 45 minutes. It is crucial to give 100% of your attention, including having no food, drink or chewing gum in your mouth.  If you have call waiting, disable it for the call duration.  Prepare the people in your home so that they don’t interrupt the call.  Choose a location where mobile reception will be uninterrupted or use a landline.  Create a relaxed environment for yourself that excludes kids and pets and have a glass of water handy.  Have a copy of your resume printed and highlight the areas you want to emphasize.  Have some paper and a pen ready so you can take notes.  Capitalise on the fact that you can use a cheat sheet.

Making a connection

The interviewer does not have body language or facial expressions as cues. They only have your voice to focus on. To make a connection with the interviewer, step one is to listen - take notes while you try to find your skills and competencies that match the role as it’s discussed.  This will allow you to bond with the interviewer.  When you speak, try to drink some water first, to prevent clearing your throat.  When appropriate, smile as you speak.  

The remuneration question

A question that undoubtedly comes up is your remuneration expectations. Be prepared for this.  The first thing you can clarify is your interest in the role.  You can also mention that since the organisation pays market rates, you would be keen to hear what they are offering.  The best ammunition is research. If you are feeling pushed or want to have a quote or figure in mind, have a look at a few job boards for similar roles/job titles and discuss your research on what the market is paying.

Practice

Fine tune your verbal communication skills by practising phone interviews with a friend. Record yourself and listen to your performance. When nerves get the better of us, we tend to increase the speed of our speech. Try to speak more slowly than you would in person and vary your tone to reflect emotion.  Sitting up straight or standing can improve your voice clarity.  Practice avoiding filler words during pauses. If you notice that you are rushing answers, take a deep breath and stand up. This can regulate your speaking patterns

Prepare questions

Have some questions prepared for phone interviews with the goal of learning about the organisation and getting to the next stage.  Here are some questions you could ask:

• Can you describe the company culture?
• Why did you join this organisation?
• What do you enjoy most about this organisation and role

At the end

At the end of phone interviews, it is a good idea to restate why you would like to join the organisation and if possible to ask for a face-to-face interview.  Remember to leave an impression by sending a thank you message straight after.


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