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A telephone interview may be the first contact that the prospective employer has with you so it is important to prepare thoroughly for your phone interview.  This article will outline the importance of telephone interviews, why they are used and what interview skills you need to concentrate on.

From an organization’s perspective, the telephone interview is a highly effective tool to quickly determine which candidates to interview in person and allows them to reach a number of people quickly, thus enabling the reduction of a long ’short-list’ to a final short list of candidates to call in for a face to face interview.

From your perspective as a candidate for employment, the phone interview allows you to talk to the organization without the pressure of a face to face meeting and with all your notes, other aids and data at hand.

How To Prepare For A Telephone Interview

Begin by studying the job description and the person specification or candidate profile. This will enable you to identify the organization’s particular needs and what specific information you need to successfully demonstrate that you possess the skills and experience they require.

Do some research to discover all you can about the organization’s products, services, history, and culture. Make particular efforts to identify where your skills and experience match their processes and may be of value to them.

Your online research must include a visit to the organization’s business website to get an appreciation of what it is like and what your initial impression is; you may be asked to comment on your thoughts about it.

Write your own list matching your achievements to the organization’s stated requirements. Keep this list in front of you during the interview and refer to it at every opportunity.

A telephone interview is similar to other interviews and demands the use of the same interview skills so avoid any temptation to generalize when asked about your accomplishments. Be specific, for example “improved stock turnover by 36%” or “reduced scrap waste by 24%”.

Interviewers need to hear about relevant challenges or problems you have experienced in the workplace, the specific actions you took, and the measurable results you achieved. They seek to identify key competencies such as communication skills, analytical skills, teamwork, drive and initiative. Work out and write down some examples of how and when you have demonstrated these key competencies.

As with any job interview, it is a good idea to compile a list of likely interview questions beforehand. To simulate the telephone interview ask a friend to ‘interview’ you by phone first. Prepare your answers carefully, matching your words and phrases to the job description and candidate profile. It’s best not to write out your answers in full because they never end up sounding natural or spontaneous.

Make sure that other family members know you are expecting the phone interview and keep the line clear and away from the the area you are using so will not be disturbed during the phone call. Have your resume and cover letter, a copy of the job advertisement, and all your notes laid out in front of you. Have a pen and paper to hand so that you can note down key points throughout the course of the telephone interview.

Professional presenters will advise you to stand up during an interview by telephone because this makes you sound more authoritative and helps project a positive and professional image. They will also advise you that smiling creates a friendly and enthusiastic impression. So make an effort, it IS worth it! To help you in establishing the all important rapport on the phone, try to vary your speaking rate and pitch so that you match yours to that of the interviewer.

As with every interview it is important to convey the impression that you are genuinely interested in the organization and eager to make a contribution, so include references to information you discovered during the course of your research.

Listen carefully to the interviewer’s questions and comments. If you don’t understand a question, its OK to ask for clarification. Provide well-developed, balanced, and analytical answers, not just a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’.

You may be asked to explain your reasons for wanting to leav your present job, so make sure you have positive reasons prepared. Under no circumstances should you criticize your previous employers or colleagues. Having researched the organization and analyzed the job description as suggested, you should find it easy to prepare a few thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer when the opportunity arises.

At the end of the phone call, emphasize your interest in the job and the organization and reiterate your qualifications.

After the telephone interview, write a short thank-you letter, again reiterating that you would welcome the opportunity of a face-to-face interview.