How to Prepare For a Phone Interview

Part 1 of 3: Phone Interview Research

1)Find the resume that you used to apply for the job. Most applicants tailor their resume and cover letters to the job and business they are applying to. Make sure you are looking at the same document as the hiring manager.

      •       If you are unable to find the document on your computer, find the email application in your "Sent Messages." Print off the attachment before your interview.

2)Find the job description you originally applied to. Review it and memorize the key qualifications your interviewer will be looking for.

      •       Request the job description from the recruiter, if they are interviewing you for a different position.

3)Ask the hiring manager how long the interview will take. The time that is allotted will let you know how important the interview is, or whether they are vetting you quickly for some basic information.

4)Print out lists of possible interview questions. Review them in your mind and verbally.

       •      Review situational questions. Many interviewers ask things like "Tell me about a time when you solved a work dispute." Respond with the "STAR" method, or situation, task, action and result. Analyze the situation, describe the options you had for response, describe the action you took and give the results of this decision. If there was something you learned after the fact, explain how it helped you to improve your decision making later on.

      •       Describe yourself in a few words. These questions are often a lesson in succinctness and company culture. Look for clues as to what the hiring manager might be looking for in the job description. Then, respond with honesty and creativity.

      •       List your accomplishments. Respond to questions with numbers and figures whenever possible. Most job applicants list their skills too readily. Accomplishments can prove that you could do the job you are applying for.

      •       Ask someone to perform a mock interview with you. They can do it over the phone or in person, helping you to practice your responses. Ask for constructive criticism to make your answers better before the phone interview.

5)Research the company again. If possible, research the person who will be interviewing you and read reports in the news as well as on the website. Draw similarities between past jobs and this company that you can speak about in the interview.

6)Come up with a list of questions you would like to ask the interviewer. This will show you are analytical and concerned with getting a good fit with the company.

      •       Do not ask the interviewer about salary, unless they bring it up. Phone interviews are rarely a time to negotiate for the salary you want.

Part 2 of 3: Create a Work Station

1)Choose a quiet home space. Make sure you will not be interrupted by anyone. Plan ahead to find the best location without noise from children, traffic, lawnmowers, televisions or phones.

2)Arrange to take the call from a land line. Cell phones frequently drop calls. Improve your chances of a long interview with clear reception by calling from a quality land line phone.

      •       Remove the call waiting from your phone (cell or land line) ahead of time. The person on the other end can hear when another call is being ignored, which can be distracting. You can do this by reading the manual or calling the phone company.

3)Place the documents you just prepared on a clean space in front of you. Have your resume, cover letter, STAR reports and job description on an otherwise empty surface. Highlight things you may refer to.

4)Keep a pen and paper nearby. You can jot down notes or circle things in your resume that you want to refer to later.

5)Pour yourself a glass of water. Drink quietly when the interviewer is talking to ensure a clear speaking voice.

6)Place a clock nearby, so that you know how much progress the interview has made in the allotted time. If the interview is supposed to be 20 minutes long and you have gone 15 minutes without discussing your qualifications, you will know how important your next responses will be.

Part 3 of 3: Phone Interview Tips

1)Use the person's name several times during the call, after they introduce themselves. This will show you are professional, courteous and observant.

2)Dress for an in-person interview. Wear a suit and shoes so that you project a professional image and increase your self-confidence.

3)Smile when you are on the phone. It may improve your confidence and your positive tone throughout the interview.

4)Avoid using tentative words and sounds, such as "like," "um," "err," "kind of" and "maybe." If you do this during regular speech, practice removing then from your vocabulary during work and everyday life. Tentative language gives a poor impression of your speaking skills and intelligence.

5)Never answer a simple "yes" or "no," unless it is a very simple clarification.Balance the need to elaborate with the need to be succinct. Two to four sentences on most topics is adequate.

6)Focus on building rapport. The idea of a phone interview is to encourage them to want to see you in person. Listen, respond succinctly and stay on topic.

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