Tips to Have a Successful Phone Interview

My role here at TYGES is as an Executive Recruiter. This means that my main responsibility is to talk on the phone with candidates and learn more about their background and career interests. At the end of the day, the goal of these conversations is to put me in a position to connect them with the most fitting opportunities as they emerge.

So, I have talked with a lot of candidates.

And I now have some tips and tricks for any person in a phone interview. There are a few things to consider both before you pick up the phone and during the actual conversation.

Before the Call

• Set all the basics in front of you.

I suggest having a pen and paper ready to take notes on information provided by the interviewer and any questions you have in response.

• Have a printed copy of your resume in front of you.

The interviewer might be running through your background for part of the conversation, so it is helpful if you are both looking at the same document to reference during the call. Personally, I can often tell whether or not someone has come prepared with this.

• Sit in a quiet place that has solid cell reception.

There is nothing more frustrating as an interviewer than when I am trying to connect with a candidate but cannot hear what they are sharing with me, either due to background noise or choppy signal.

When the candidate is in a quiet place, it also reassures me that they put some thought into the conversation and respect the process.

• Research the company.

The interviewer might share some details with you regarding the role, but you might feel more grounded during the conversation if you already have a basic handle on the position. This will also help you come prepared with questions.

• Be able to articulate why you would fit well with the company and in the role.

Consider making a list of significant ways you and the company align. Jot those notes down on your paper so you can be sure to hit them during the conversation. Be able to convince your own self that you are a fit.

You could even go one step further and practice answering specific questions that you think may be asked of you. You could even create a rough outline of your answers to specific questions.

During the Call

• Take Notes.

Remember, the phone interview is not only for you to be evaluated but also for you to evaluate the organization itself. So, you will want to take notes on anything you learn.

As an added bonus, I have personally found that keeping some brief notes helps my distractible mind stay engaged throughout the conversation. Interviews can run a bit long sometimes, and in a phone interview where you are isolated and sitting still, it can be helpful to have a tool to let loose any nervous energy in a productive way.

• Stay confident.

I cannot stress enough how far this goes in a conversation! In an interview, you are selling yourself. If you believe in yourself, it is easier for the interviewer to believe in you.

• Avoid asking about salary.

The interviewer will hopefully share this with you at some stage in the interview process when the time is right. If you ask this right off the bat it might appear as if all you care about is the compensation, when in reality there are a lot of other factors that both you and the hiring authority will need to weigh.

• Indicate interest and ask about next steps.

This will help the process move forward efficiently and will ensure that both parties are on the same page.

As a recruiter, I am rooting for you to do well when I first pick up the phone with you. TYGES’ mission at the end of the day is to Make Good Things Happen for Other People. I want you to do well. Being prepared ahead of time and staying confident and engaged throughout the call will give you a bit of an edge as you begin your interview process.

For more tips to help you prepare for your telephone interview, check out the telephone interview resource guide on our website.

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