How to Ace a Phone Interview

Typically, many companies will reach out to candidates who look good on paper for a phone interview to determine if those applicants should advance to more in-depth interviews. This phone call may be with a recruiter, HR manager, or hiring manager—and sometimes, all three. With the right preparation and approach, phone interviews can be seen as an advantage to interviewees. Since phone interviews are where most job opportunities begin, follow our tips below on how to ace a phone interview, showcase your qualifications, and advance to the next step of the interview process.  

Tips on How to Ace a Phone Interview

Prepare and do your research

This interview is the company’s first impression of you, and it will be evident if you don’t know key facts about their company.  Be sure to prepare as you would for a formal, in-person interview. Look on their company website, social media, LinkedIn, and current news for information on the company culture, the specific position you are interviewing for, as well as the person who will be conducting the interview. Preparation will greatly differentiate you as a strong candidate compared to an unprepared one. 

Be sure to review common interview questions as well as conduct research on this company’s specific interview process. Having answers prepared to common questions you may be asked will help you in the moment to sound confident and competent. Additionally, prepare three to four good questions to ask your interviewer about the company culture, position, or challenges to help convey your interest in the opportunity and provide you with more insight on whether or not you want the job. 

Side note: Before the call, be sure to confirm all the details including the date, time (and time zone!)  and who you will be talking to. Be sure you know whether the interviewer is calling you or if you need to make the call, and have an email address of the interviewer in case the call drops.

Make a cheat sheet

The biggest advantage of a phone interview is that you can use notes rather than relying solely on memory. This eliminates the risk of freezing up or fumbling words during the interview due to nerves. Print out a copy of your resume as well as notes on the company, a list of your qualifications and job-specific skills, and questions you may have for the interviewer. It is crucial to practice with these notes before and only use them as necessary rather than read them like a script. 

Practice

Calling with peers can help to manage tone and volume, check connection, and rehearse how you want to execute the interview. During your practices, pay attention to the pace you’re speaking at and how clearly you are articulating your words. During the interview itself, pace can quicken and make you harder to understand. You also want to be overly cognizant of cutting the interviewer off or rambling too much. Keep your stories concise and professional. 

Set up a professional environment

Use a quiet, comfortable space. Eliminate distractions and any chance of loud noises (dog barking, people talking, car honking, etc.) Make sure you have a strong connection, and that the phone call likely won’t drop or break up (even if the interviewer is calling from far away).  Have a glass of water nearby if you need it, and avoid gum chewing or eating as it will distract both you and the interviewer. 

Have a notepad and pen handy to take notes of details the interviewer mentions during the interview about the position, process, and company overview. If you are moving forward, this will be valuable information to create questions later in the interview process or even at the conclusion of the phone call. 

Remember that body language still matters

If you are comfortable standing while talking, you can fill your lungs better and project your voice (which makes you sound confident). Avoid pacing if you can to eliminate distractions. One of the biggest mistakes you can make on a phone interview call is to not sound enthusiastic. Without an in-person first impression, you want to give a strong first impression over the phone and let them know you’re excited about this opportunity. 

Remember to smile during the call even though they cannot see you. Smiling and good posture will project a positive image to the listener and will noticeably change the tone of your voice. 

Follow up

Be sure to send a follow up thanking the interviewer for their time and asking about next steps. This shows that you are passionate about the position and attentive. It also gives you the opportunity to remind them why you’re most qualified for the position. If you are unsure of how to word your follow-up professionally, there are many templates and examples available online to help you.

Join The BCTG Community

With the correct amount of preparation, you can confidently tackle your phone interview and secure the job position as a prospective IT consultant. Contact us today to learn more about joining the BCTG community. 

Contributions from Julia Hoffman