Job Hunting Tips: How to Master the Phone Interview

In order to save money, time and resources, employers are beginning to utilize phone interviews as the first line of defense in order to "weed out" unqualified candidates. Therefore, proper preparation is paramount in landing that coveted face-to-face interview. Here are a few simple tips on how to sail through a phone interview.

How to Master the Phone Interview #1: Be Available

First and foremost be sure that you are on "time" and available for your phone interview. Once your phone interview is scheduled, clear your calendar and any other distractions during that time. By giving your undivided attention to the phone interview, the employer will have the impression that you are interested and ready to hear more about the position.

For some employers, the phone interview is the first qualifier in determining if a candidate should be invited for a formal interview, therefore you want to treat the phone interview with the utmost professionalism.

How to Master the Phone Interview #2: No Cell Phones

Cell phones during a phone interview can be very disruptive and are notorious for drop calls, network failure, background noise and unreliable service in some areas. Therefore, try not to use your cell phone to conduct your phone interview. On a phone interview, you want to put your best foot forward so using a regular phone line would be more to your advantage.

How to Master the Phone Interview #3: Research Company

Research the company before the phone interview, this will show your interest and motivation in the job opening. Researching the company will also provide additional questions to ask during the phone interview and will produce an intelligent dialogue with the interviewer about your knowledge of the company's products and services.

How to Master the Phone Interview #4: Be Prepared

Be sure to have your resume and the job description available during your phone interview. Most of the time employers are using your resume as a reference in order to conduct the phone interview and will correlate your experience, talent and skills with the current job opening. Therefore, having this information available will result in providing quick and concise answers without having to recall from memory.

How to Master the Phone Interview #5: Put Your Best "Phone Voice" Forward

Lastly, put your best "phone voice" forward. During a phone interview, the employer is trying to determine your oral presentation and evaluate how well you communicate. If you sound like you are pre-occupied or disinterested, the employer will make note and you will not be invited to a face-to-face interview. Therefore, be upbeat, speak clearly and most importantly, be yourself.

Today, phone interviews are becoming increasingly popular among employers and are being used to determine personality and cultural fit, so putting your best effort in nailing the phone interview could possibly put you in first place to land the job of your dreams.