Preparing for successful telephone interviews

What are telephone interviews?

Telephone interviews are a real interview that is held over the phone as opposed to a face-to-face interview. The purpose of telephone interviews is often to check out whether you are a serious applicant.

Why telephone interviews?

Telephone interviews are very popular for sales-related, telesales and call center jobs, as all these positions require excellent verbal communication skills. First minutes of the interview

Some organizations prefer to conduct telephone interviews in order to create an initial short list as it saves time and is generally shorter than a face-to-face interview. Telephone interviews are both time and cost-effective. They can last anything from 20 minutes up to an hour.

Telephone interviews are also customary when you are applying for jobs abroad. Preparing for successful telephone interviews

An Unsettling Experience!

Although telephone interviews make good business sense, for the person being interviewed, telephone interviews can be a rather awkward experience!

Telephone interviews can be an unsettling experience due to the following factors;

  • Neither party can see one another

  • Body language clues are absent

  • It is difficult to gauge the response of the interviewer to your answers

Your Advantage!

But like anything - telephone interviews have their advantages as well -

  • There is no traveling that is incurred

  • You can prepare some answers and have notes by you whilst the telephone interview is being conducted.

  • You don't need to spend time deciding what to wear How much should I negotiate for my job offer

When preparing for telephone interviews, keep on hand the following items;

  • A list of answers to interview questions you may expect

  • Current curriculum vitae or resume

  • A list of your greatest attributes such as skills, achievements, work experience and qualifications

  • Have at least 3 questions you would like to ask the interviewer.

  • Print information you researched on the organization via the website or any other resources so you can refer to this during telephone interviews.

  • Paper, pen and calculator - you just never know!

  • Keep a glass of water close by - but don't forget to move the receiver away from you when you swallow!

Telephone Interview Manners

Take careful note of the telephone interview tips below in order to make maximum impact.

  1. Relax during the telephone interviews

  2. A positive aspect of telephone interviews is that it can be easier to hide interview nerves and relax. When interview nerves creep up on you, take a deep breath - but make sure the interview cannot hear your heavy breathing!!

  3. Be enthusiastic during telephone interviews

  4. Smile when answering telephone interview questions and speaking to the interviewer. Smiling does make a difference to your tone of voice -it keeps you sounding enthusiastic and upbeat.

  5. So much of the impact you are making comes through your voice, it is especially important that you are vibrant and enthusiastic.

  6. Imagine that the interviewer is in the room and that you are conversing directly with them.

  7. Don't sit huddled up in a chair. Sit up straight and be attentive.

  8. Use hand gestures normally as though you were talking directly to the interviewer.

  9. Answer telephone interview questions courteously

  10. Any irritation in your voice is even more obvious over the phone than it would be in a face-to-face interview. Ensure you adopt a pleasant and warm tone in your voice.

Remember to:

  • Speak clearly and slowly so that you can be easily understood

  • Use correct grammar (yes as opposed to your or yep, etc.)

  • Don't use slang (dude, cool, etc.)

  • Avoid long pauses -the interviewer may interpret this as you not being able to think on your feet.

  • Be aware of what you are saying, avoid the as "uh," "um," etc.