Picture this: You’re sitting at home, dressed professionally from the waist up, nervously fiddling with your resume as you wait for the phone to ring.
It’s time for your telephone job interview, and the butterflies in your stomach are doing somersaults.
If this scenario makes you break out in a cold sweat, you’re not alone.
Many job seekers find telephone interviews particularly challenging, and for good reason.
Lack of visual cues and struggle with silence
Missing body language is one of the biggest hurdles in a telephone interview.
- You don’t have the advantage of seeing the other person.
- You can’t judge how your answers are received.
- You can’t obviously use your hands and body language to make your point.
In face-to-face interactions, we rely heavily on body language to assess reactions and adjust our responses accordingly.
Without these visual hints, it’s like trying to navigate a dark room. You are never quite sure if you’re on the right track.
Have you ever experienced that awkward silence during a phone call and wondered if the other person is still there?
In a telephone interview, silence can be particularly unnerving.
Lack of visual cues and struggle with silence
Preparing yourself is the most important advice I can give you as a candidate regarding telephone interviews.
Have your resume placed in front of you and next to the phone. Have any other document or notes on the table which you can refer to if needed.
Consider this a business meeting so bring your supporting documents.
Keep a pad and pen handy to take notes during your phone interview.
Have your calendar within reach if the client wants to schedule a follow-up personal interview.
Have a glass of water by the phone and be ready five minutes early.
Get the family and dogs outside
Be in a quiet place, turn off the television or music, get the dogs outside, and ask your family and children to be quiet and not disturb you during this important phone call.
Stand up and get your energy going, warm up your voice, and smile (it can almost be heard over the telephone).
Even if you are not on camera, dress businesslike to put yourself in the proper frame of mind.
Sit or stand with good posture. In fact, if you can, stand up when you talk as your voice will sound more powerful than if sitting (an old tele sales trick).
Although your interviewer cannot see you, these things affect the quality of the image you project through your voice.
Speak slowly and clearly, with moderate volume and plenty of enthusiasm, positive energy and inflection, keeping your mouth about an inch away from the mouthpiece.
Do not eat, chew gum, or smoke.
Always answer your phone in a professional manner, whether at home or at work, because you never know who may be calling.
Smile, smile and smile
Smiling will project a positive image to the listener and will change the tone of your voice.
Be prepared with a summary of yourself, your strengths and accomplishments related to the position, just in case the caller starts by asking you to present yourself.
Throughout the interview, use interesting, descriptive language and proper grammar – not slang. Say “yes” rather than “yeah”. Do not swear or use four-letter words under any circumstances, even if your interviewer does so. Avoid fillers such as “ums” and “errs”.
Try to avoid yes or no answers; answer in short, complete sentences. Let your interviewer speak the majority of the time.
Let your interviewer know you are listening. Periodically use their name. Say “yes” or “I see”, repeat their words, and ask follow-up questions.
Do not rush, interrupt, or contradict the interviewer. Listen carefully and make sure you understand the question before you answer. Your answers must be direct and relatively short.
During the interview, most of the same rules of in-person interviewing apply. Never say anything on the telephone you would not say in person. Don’t chitchat; stick to business, and don’t let your guard down.
Never ask about compensation
If you are asked directly about your compensation requirements, try to sidestep by saying:
“Salary is important, but I am more interested in the opportunity at this time.”
If asked again, state what you are currently earning (breaking out base, bonuses, and benefits).
Thank the interviewer at the end of the conversation.
In summary, the telephone interview is just like a personal interview, but shorter and without the benefit of non-verbal communication.
If you take the telephone interview seriously, prepare thoroughly, listen carefully and respond effectively.
Conclusion: Mastering the telephone interview
While telephone job interviews present unique challenges, they’re not impossible.
The key is to approach the telephone interview with the same seriousness and preparation you would give to an in-person meeting.
With the right mindset and strategies, you can navigate this tough challenge and come out on top in your job search journey.
