Conducting Phone Interviews

A potential employer may want to do a preliminary interview by phone. If you're prepared for the call, you can impress the interviewer.  Here are some tips, since doing a phone interview is a unique experience!

First, have all your tools in one place, which should include:

• Your resume
• Pen and paper to jot the interviewer(s) name(s) down immediately and to take notes during the interview
• Company research (with relevant information highlighted)
• Questions to ask about the company and position
• A glass of water

 Some additional tips:

• Turn off distractions. Take your phone into in a quiet room.
• Make sure you write down the interviewer’s name and contact information.
• Dress the part for the interview. Experts say if you're dressed in a professional manner, you'll speak that way.
• Make your answers more concise and to the point.  It is harder to keep the interviewer’s attention on the phone, due to the lack of non-verbal communication.

Some final thoughts:

If an employer calls and wants to do the interview right away (instead of setting up an appointment), tell them you are interested but would like to call them back in five minutes. This will give you time to make the psychological switch from whatever you are doing to your professional demeanor and collect some basic materials.

When the employer ends the interview, thank them for their time.  Be sure you have their full name and contact information.  Close the interview by thanking them for their time and reiterating your interest in the position.

Write a thank-you email within 24 hours of the interview.

If you have other questions, don’t hesitate to come see us!

Gary Alan Miller,
Executive Director