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Powerful Phone Interviews
Phone interviews are de rigueur with many organizations. Companies conduct phone interviews for a number of reasons. It's a way to screen out the dead wood. It gives the next interviewer baseline information from which to work. It saves money. So, how do you prep for a powerful phone interview? And how is it different from a face-to-face interview? Recently, three of my clients aced their phone interviews.Here's what we learned works. Prepping for the phone interview: If you need to call from work or from a phone booth or a cell phone, tell the screener/interviewer what the circumstances are. It's better to explain ahead of time than to suddenly have to stop midway through because of noise or an interruption. Stand up. You project stronger energy when you stand. Or even better, walk around. Remember, the interviewer has only your words and the sound of your voice with which to judge you. You will come across more upbeat and enthusiastic if you stand. Even for a phone interview, you need to do your homework. The interviewer will be asking, "Why do you want to work at XYZ Company?" and "What do you know about us?" Be prepared to answer classic questions, such as: "Tell me about a difficult situation you handled well," "What are your areas of development?" or an all-time favorite: "Why should we hire you?" If you need help in formulating answers to these questions, see the suggested reading section below. Keep your responses brief, 1 - 3 sentences maximum. Choose your words carefully, and be focused. Answer the question. Do not go off on a tangent. This is even more important in the phone interview stage, where the interviewer will appreciate your succinctness. Have water and throat lozenges handy. If you get dry mouth (don't you hate that), these can be lifesavers. How is a phone interview different from a face-to-face interview? You can use crib notes. And I would. Just in case you get the jitters or have a senior moment, have your responses written out (in bullet form). It's better than any security blanket. The timbre and inflection of your voice is critical. Modulate your voice to avoid sounding monotone. When I was a recruiter and conducted phone interviews, I could pick up immediately by the tone of the person's voice whether they had the requisite drive for the job. A phone interview is brief, sometimes 20 minutes or less. It is oftentimes a screening rather than an interview. There won't be a lot of follow-up questions based upon your responses. You won't get to connect with the interviewer. It may feel formulaic. The interviewer asks a question, and you respond. This is normal. You will know immediately if you have done well. They will tell you they are passing you on. If you haven't done well, you will get a vague response. Ask when you should follow-up. Finally, like a face-to-face interview, always send a thank-you note. A handwritten note is best. Sending an e-mail is acceptable, but less personal. Thank the interviewer for her time. Say you enjoyed the conversation and look forward to taking the next step. Indicate you will follow up within the appropriate time frame. A successful phone interview is a wonderful prep for the in-person gig. You've learned what your top lines are. You've done your research. You've made it to the next step. And your confidence level is up. So, when you get the chance for a phone interview, embrace the opportunity. It's practice for the main event. Dale Kurow, M.S., is an author and a career and executive coach in NYC. Dale works with clients across the U.S. and internationally, helping them to become better managers, figure out their next career moves and thrive despite office politics. Visit Dale's web site at http://www.dalekurow.com/newsletter to sign-up for her free monthly ezine "Career Essentials," chocked full of useful career tips and strategies you can use immediately.
MORE RESOURCES: Supply Chain Lowe's Careers Careers City of Phoenix (.gov) Working for ICE ice.gov Careers University of Northern Colorado How to use AI to get a job interview and nail it – along with the salary you deserve | Job hunting The Guardian Meet a millennial who quit her tech job, temporarily moved to Paris, and started a baking business in NYC Business Insider Careers City of Ontario, California (.gov) Careers at Prairie View A&M University PVAMU Home Careers | Home USDA (.gov) Jobs Multnomah County Careers and Jobs at CRS Catholic Relief Services Job Loss Is a Kind of Grief The Atlantic Careers - MDOT Maryland.gov Work at Fairfield Fairfield University Careers Baxter Store Hourly Job Areas Target Corporate Career Job Areas Target Employment Opportunities | Game Commission Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (.gov) Careers at USCIS USCIS (.gov) Improve Your Chances of Landing That Job Interview IEEE Spectrum Careers at TWU Texas Woman's University Jobs and Training at FDA fda.gov Work at Butler Butler University Amazon CEO Andy Jassy shares his top tips for a successful career: ‘Don’t be afraid to fail’ AboutAmazon.com Water Services Careers City of Phoenix (.gov) Job Search Results UnitedHealth Group Careers Jobs City of Rochester (.gov) Employment | Department of Corrections Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (.gov) Work With Us National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (.gov) Careers and Employment with the Northwestern Division nwd.usace.army.mil Career Opportunities UMHB Career Opportunities Gilead Sciences Careers Johnson & Johnson Finding Your New Career at the City of Phoenix City of Phoenix (.gov) Careers at Willamette Willamette University Alcohol Law Enforcement Careers NC DPS (.gov) IOM career gateways International Organization for Migration Careers at University of Missouri Health Care | University of Missouri Health Care jobs University of Missouri Health Care Careers Washington State University Careers BASF Careers at the IOC Olympics.com Jobs at Liberty University Liberty University Healthcare Jobs at Novant Health | Novant Health Novant Health Jobs And Careers | VA Montana Health Care | Veterans Affairs VA.gov Home | Veterans Affairs Student internships at J&J Johnson & Johnson Careers Future of Jobs Report 2025: The jobs of the future – and the skills you need to get them The World Economic Forum Work for the City of St. Louis City of St. Louis, MO (.gov) Ready for your next great job? ADP Careers Careers WV Department of Education Our Hiring Process Target Careers The Ocean Cleanup UF Health Careers UF Health Careers Job Seekers Illinois Human Resources Careers CrowdStrike EPA employees rally in Denver against President Trump’s job and funding cuts Colorado Public Radio Careers at Union Union College KPMG Careers KPMG March 2025 Preview: What to Expect in the Jobs Report Center for Economic and Policy Research Why hasn’t AI taken your job yet? Financial Times Matching Talent to the Jobs of Tomorrow: A Guidebook for Public Employment Services 2025 The World Economic Forum Jobs for Veterans and transitioning military VA Careers (.gov) Human Resources Department City of Phoenix (.gov) Provincial Government Job Opportunities Government of Prince Edward Island Current opportunities Turner & Townsend 15 Low-Stress Jobs for 2025 US News Money 60+ Stats On AI Replacing Jobs (2024) Exploding Topics Talent Solutions CBIZ Careers Euromonitor Careers at WPP WPP Job Opportunities Bellevue School District As Layoffs Continue, Federal Workers Face Sluggish Job Market The New York Times Recorded Video Interviews Target RESTORING ACCOUNTABILITY TO POLICY-INFLUENCING POSITIONS WITHIN THE FEDERAL WORKFORCE The White House (.gov) Work at UI Health Care | University of Iowa Health Care University of Iowa Health Care Medical Center Job application FAQs Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services |
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