Top Ten Tips of Telephone Interviewing

There’s a recession out there--so, many companies are looking for ways to save money on recruiting new employees.   If you don’t live in the same city as your desired employer, that employer may not want to pay for your travel without having some assurance that you’re a good prospect.  That’s why more and more companies are using telephone interviews as a way to screen candidates for jobs.  Usually, if you do well over the telephone, they will then ask you to come into their office for a conventional interview.   

Is there any real difference in how you should prepare for a telephone interview as opposed to a face-to-face interview?  Why, yes!  

Of course, some of the steps are the same:  you still want to research the company, the job, the industry, etc.  And you should think of how your training and experience fits into the desired job and company.  All of that preparation is standard, and it applies to any kind of interview.

But there are some tricks to performing well in a telephone interview.  Here are my top ten—

1.    Plan ahead:  try to do your telephone interview from a quiet, private room.  Remember, your interviewer is going to hear everything going on around you.  The ULM Career Connections office (Library 302) has private interview rooms available for your use.  Just call us at 342-5338 to make an appointment.
2.    Use a land line, not a cellular phone, if at all possible.  Using a headset will also help you talk more naturally since you’ll have your hands free to gesture or move papers around.
3.    Set a definite interview time, just like in a face-to-face interview, and be available when you say you will be.  Also, be clear about who is supposed to call whom.
4.    Have “cheat sheets” printed up about the company and, if possible, the interviewer.  If you’re talking with multiple interviewers, you might want to write down each person’s name and job title as they are introduced—what they do in the company could affect your answers.
5.    Prepare written answers to expected questions like “Tell me about yourself.”  Then don’t read your answers word for word—just have them handy in case you need to refresh your memory.
6.    Prepare several intelligent questions to choose from when you’re asked, “Do you have any questions for me?”  (Prepare several in case your interviewer has already covered some of them.)  Before closing, be sure to ask what your next step should be.
7.    Match your interviewer’s pace and tone.  If your interviewer talks slowly and thoughtfully, you do the same.  If your interviewer is quick and witty, try to match that mood as well.   Do not interrupt!  Wait your turn to talk.
8.    Remember, the interviewer can’t see you, so your personality must be communicated through your voice.  SMILE!  Dressing professionally will help you to sound professional as well.
9.    Do not do other activities while you’re interviewing.  Zoning out while checking your email would be bad.  But worse, one interviewer reported hearing the flush of a toilet!
10.    And finally, send an immediate thank-you note or email to your interviewer.  

Remember, we at ULM’s Career Connections office are glad to help you prepare for interviews of any kind—just ask!