6 steps to a successful telephone interview

It's becoming more and more common for employers to gauge whether a Candidate is worth spending their precious time interviewing face to face by firstly conducting a telephone interview.

Step 1- Prepare

Analyse the job description and do your company research. All your preparation should be done as you would a face to face interview.

We've got tips in our Blog "Things to research about a company before going to an Interview" to help you with your research.

Step 2- Isolate

Don't jeopardise your interview with the distraction of a barking dog or screaming child! Shut yourself away in a quiet room 10 minutes before your phone call is due, using this time to go over some last minute notes.

Another important thing to consider is sufficient phone signal- if you have a landline, use that. If not, make sure you have plenty of reception and battery on your phone.

Step 3- Get dressed

You don't have body language or facial expressions to convey your enthusiasm to your interviewer, so you need to make sure it comes across in your voice.

It might help you to get dressed in interview clothes- if you don't want to take it that far, at least make sure you're not lounging on your bed in pyjamas. Your relaxed state might come across in your voice.

Step 4- Have notes in front of you

The good thing about telephone interviews is the 'invisibility factor'. You can print off as many pieces of information as you like and have them to hand. The job description is another useful document that you could stick to the wall to keep it in sight.

Whatever you do though, don't be rustling through papers while trying to answer questions, if the interviewer hears it, it could make you seem unprepared.

Step 5- Be concise

Phone interviews are considerably shorter than face to face interviews, so try to keep your answers short but thorough. Practice general interview questions and how you might answer them, as this is the first time you are speaking to your interviewer, chances are the questions will be quite generic.

Step 6- Follow up

Not everyone chooses to do it, but 24-48 hours after your interview is a good time to follow up with an email, reinstating your interest in the job. Look out for a Blog coming soon on follow ups!