I have put together a list of tips for how to do well on a phone interview and advice for how to prepare for a phone interview! I am a post grad who has recently been on the job hunt and wanted to share information that I have found to be helpful! Good luck with your search! (The information contained in this post can also be applied to internship searches as well if phone interviews are required). This post includes tips that I have come across and/or come up with while preparing for my own phone interviews.
Although looking for a job and getting a job can seem overwhelming at first the best way to go about it is to be as prepared as possible for every step of the process. This applies to internships as well!
Related: How to Get an Internship
When you have a phone interview scheduled one of the most crucial things you need to do is to "study" beforehand. It may help to liken it to a presentation that you need to prepare for in order to perform well. Just try to be confident. I know it's easier said than done though. Personally, I get really nervous but the more prepared I am the better I feel. I make sure to drink water and take deep breaths. Also, for me the anticipation of the call is worse than the call itself and once it starts I am okay - you will be okay too.
Before the Phone Interview
To prepare before the interview doing the following will be immensely beneficial.
1. Research the company. You should know a bit about the history of the company; when they started, where, why, and by whom. Know the company's product(s) or service(s), their demographic (customer base and target audience, the location of the company, and it's customers). During every phone interview I have had I have been asked a variation of "What do you know about our company?". This question lets the interviewer know how interested you are in the company and the role. It is one of the things that helps them determine if you are actually going to care about the job (not just the pay check and/or benefits).
2. Another tip is to look up recent news about the company you are interviewing with. Again, it is important to show that you are knowledgeable about the company and what is going on with that company and the industry in general.
3. It is great to research whether the company is affiliated with any charities or foundations (mentioning your knowledge of this in a natural non-forced way in the phone conversation would be a positive).
4. Look at the company's social media and LinkedIn page to get more of a personal feel of the company culture and a general sense of who works there. You need to make sure it is a good fit on your end as well.
5. Re-read the description of the position you applied for and know how your skills and experiences match what the company is looking for or how they could apply (know your transferable skills). You will most likely be asked questions that will relate to why you are the right person for the job and what makes you qualified for it.
6. If possible it is helpful to look up the person interviewing you. If you know their name LinkedIn is probably your best bet. Knowing a little about their background such as where they went to school, what they majored in and some past work experiences can help you feel more comfortable. It won't seem like you're talking to a complete stranger. Also this research will allow you to find any similarities you may have with the interviewer. It is always a good idea to find ways to connect with them by mentioning something a bit personal (don't seem like a stalker though of course).
7. You can also see if any alumni from your school work at the company you are interviewing with by searching on LinkedIn. Reach out to them and ask how they like the company and ask if they have any advice for you regarding the interview.
8. Write down notes to look at during your interview with some of the information you gather during your research. Keep the notes brief so they can just jog your memory when you need to glance at them during the phone interview. Writing the notes by hand will also make it easier to absorb/memorize the information.
9. Well in advance to the phone interview you should make sure you have a quiet place to be during the interview. Limit the amount of distractions that could interfere with your interview and have your notes ready.
10. Moving on to attire for the interview: even if it is a regular phone interview and not a video one it is recommended that you still wear something somewhat professional. Something that you feel good and confident in which will allow you to be in right mindset for the interview (you can of course dress how you want but pajamas are definitely not recommended). As the saying goes "dress for the job you want, not the one you have".
11. Another aspect to prepare is what you are going to ask the interviewer when it is your chance to do so. Having at least 2 questions ready is a good idea. Again this will show that you are invested in getting this job and are serious about it. You can look up common questions to ask but having them tell you about the company culture, a "typical" day or work week, and/or their favorite aspect of the company are nice starters.
12. This may be a given as it may be one of the first things you do (or have done) but looking up common questions they may ask you during the interview is very important. This way you can have a general idea of how the conversation may go and you will be able to think of some possible answers. There is no way to know exactly what you will be asked but knowing the common questions will help. Looking up possible questions will also help to inform you of possible ways to answer. Now I do not mean for you to look up answers but ways to answer which I mention in tip 16.
During the Phone Interview
13. Have a notebook or some pieces of paper on hand to write down notes during the interview. The phone interview is a great way to learn more about the company and you will need to remember what was mentioned during the interview. Use your discretion to determine what to write down.
14. Although the interviewer cannot see you your posture still matters. It can make a difference in your confidence and how you come across to the interviewer. Also remember to smile at least occasionally while you are talking, it does affect how your voice sounds and seeming friendly and positive is a plus.
15. During the interview show you are interested in the conversation, the job, and the company by mentioning things that are specific when applicable. Use the information from your research to show that you actually did your due diligence.
16. When answering the interviewer's questions be specific and use examples. If being organized is a skill you have don't just say you're organized, but show it by describing an example.
17. During the interview if you need a second to think or catch your breath you can take a pause and say something along the lines of "Great question, I'm just gathering my thoughts". I used to think that there should not be any silence during an interview but that is not the case. A career counselor from my college informed me that it is okay if you need a short pause as long as you say something like the example in the previous sentence, don't just have radio silence.
18. At the end of the interview you should ask about next steps, and when you may hear back as well as say thank you!
After the Phone Interview
19. Send a thank you email and mention something specific that you and the interviewer discussed (refer to the notes you took during the interview). You want to make the thank you message personal. Do not send a generic one to all of the people who you interview with. People may compare thank yous and again you want to make a personal connection with people so mention something specific to show that you paid attention during the interview and were listening.
20. If you do not hear back by the time they said they'd contact you, you can send a polite follow up email showing that you are still interested. It is understandable that you will want to know where you stand with the company and whether or not you will be moving forward onto next steps with them. There are various templates online with examples of appropriate follow up emails to send.
Do not think of the interview as something that is scary or that the interviewer wants to find reasons to dislike you. That is not the case, they want to find out more about you and your abilities and see if you are capable of doing the role. If they think you are a good match for the role and their company that is great but you want to make sure that the company matches you as well and that it will be a good relationship for everyone. Try to think of it as a two way conversation where you are learning about the company and the job position as well as the company learning about you. In the end everyone wants to be successful (you, and the company) and in the end the interview process is to try to determine whether or not you and the company will be successful together or apart.
Good luck with you interview(s)!
Two career websites that I found to be very helpful!
https://thebalancecareers.com
https://themuse.com
Thank you for reading! I hope you found this beneficial, all feedback and thoughts are welcome! What helps you in regards to phone interviews?
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