How to prepare for telephone interviews

Telephone interviews are increasingly popular as an early or first stage of the selection process. These are also quite common if you’re applying for a job which is based internationally. You should prepare for a telephone interview in almost exactly the same way you would for a face to face interview and not be tempted to look on it casually. Follow our tips below to ensure a smooth and successful telephone interview...

• Ensure you have access to a quiet place for your telephone interview, where you are unlikely to be disturbed. If possible use a landline rather than a mobile to lessen the risk of technical or signal-related faults.

• Make sure you have all the information you might need ready for the phone call. You should have a copy of your CV to hand, a copy of the job description/specification, your research on the company and notes to help with your answers.

• It can be difficult to come across on the phone the way you do in person. Try to interject confidence and enthusiasm into your voice when you answer questions.

• Ensure that you speak clearly and loudly enough to be heard at all times. Make sure you answer each question fully but equally, try to be concise and not risk rambling or going off on tangents as you might lose the interest of the interviewer.

• Listen to the interviewer’s questions extra carefully and ask for clarification if you haven’t heard or understood the question properly.

• When the interview is over, don’t make the mistake of simply thanking the interviewer and then hanging up! Make sure you are clear on what the nest stage of the process is and when you are likely to hear from them next.

See also:
Types of interview