Steps to a Successful Phone Interview 

By A Kforce Staff Writer


The interview is arguably the most critical step in the hiring process.  It is the only method for hiring managers to become personally acquainted with you and to ensure there is a good fit for their organization.  In this fast-paced environment, phone interviews are becoming a common screening method used in the initial phase of the hiring process.

Appearance is an important part of a face-to-face interview.  But even though you may not be able to see each other during a phone interview, your appearance will still be interpreted.  As a matter of fact, your ability to project a good appearance will be more important during the phone interview than in a face-to-face meeting.  Why?  Because you cannot visibly highlight your discussions with physical gestures and expressions during a phone interview.  So, you must project your character through tone and pace, since you cannot impress the hiring manager with your presentation.

Preparing for a Phone Interview

Dress for Success

The way a person dresses says a great deal about their attitude.  Therefore, you should always dress in your best interview apparel.  Clearly, this is a mental concept, but it will support your attitude.  Your seriousness about the job will be reflected in the way you dress and subsequently communicated by your professional tone.

Solitary Confinement

Find a quiet, secluded room where you will be separated from television noise and background talk.  Be sure that everyone in the house knows you are taking an important phone call and are not to be disturbed.  Above all, make sure that no one picks up an extension in another room until after the interview is complete.

Before the Interview

Dressed appropriately and seated in a quiet, secluded area with no chance for interruptions, prepare for the interview by:

• Having a note pad, pen and your resume in front of you.
  
• Spelling out the name of the person who will conduct the interview.  Say the name out loud until you are comfortable with it and are sure you are pronouncing it correctly.
  
• Having some printed information about the company in front of you.  This way, you can refer to any pertinent corporate information during the interview and answer any questions that may come up.
  
• Preparing a list of questions you intend to ask during the interview.  Asking questions demonstrates your interest and enthusiasm about the organization, its direction, and the hiring manager's knowledge and expertise.

Now, take a few minutes before your scheduled phone call to gather your thoughts and get in the right frame of mind. 

The Interview

Here are a few steps to follow during the interview:

• Take the time to greet the interviewer with the same enthusiasm that would be demonstrated face-to-face.  This initial impression should set a positive tone that will carry through the rest of the interview. 
• Be sure to speak clearly into the phone and maintain a professional posture.  Act as if you are speaking to the hiring manager in person.  It might even be helpful to face a mirror so you can replicate the appearance of talking in person. 
• Maintain a positive, upbeat tone throughout the interview.
  Give clear and well-thought-out answers to all questions.  It is okay to pause when preparing for an answer, but try not to take too much time.  You want to avoid any uncomfortable periods of silence.  Remember, the hiring manager has no way of recognizing your reaction to the question, so it's impossible to see that you are formulating an answer. 
• Conclude by asking questions.  Be sure to ask about the next step in the process and demonstrate your interest in becoming a member of the organization.
  Confirm the hiring manager's mailing address so you can immediately send a thank-you letter. 

Other Tips

Some other helpful hints to make your phone interview go well include:

• Have a glass of water nearby so you can take a drink when your mouth gets dry.  (Just don't sip audibly enough for the interviewer to hear you!)
• Do not chew gum or eat while you are on the phone.  While you may be very quiet about it, a careful listener will still pick up on what you're doing.
• Ignore call-waiting. If possible, disable your call-waiting feature before you begin the phone interview.
• The object of an interview is not to just get an offer -- it is to get the best offer possible.  Undoubtedly, the phone interview will be the first step in the hiring process, but if you follow these guidelines, you will be a leading candidate for the job. 

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