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Last Updated on March 28, 2025
Telephone interviews have become more popular as a way to start the interview process. It can be challenging to keep an interviewer engaged and ensure they are satisfied with your responses when you don’t have the advantage of body language cues. If you’ve never had a telephone interview, it can feel even more intimidating. With the right preparation (which will build your confidence) your telephone interview can be very successful. The following tips will help you be prepared for your interview.
Key Telephone Interview Tips
- Prepare beforehand by researching the company and reviewing your resume.
- Choose a quiet location with good reception and minimal distractions.
- Test your equipment beforehand to ensure you have clear audio and a reliable connection.
- Dress professionally and maintain good posture to help you sound confident and engaged.
- Speak clearly and avoid using filler words such as “um” or “like.”
- Listen carefully to the interviewer’s questions and take a moment to gather your thoughts before answering.
- Use specific examples from your experience to illustrate your
skills and qualifications. - Be honest and authentic in your responses, and don’t be afraid to ask for clarification if needed.
- Express your enthusiasm for the role and company, and ask thoughtful questions to show your interest.
- Follow up with a thank-you
email after the interview.
1. Location:
Where you are when you have your telephone interview is as important as how well you prepare. Ensure you are in a quiet location (no dogs barking or babies crying). While you may think you have a great location, do a dry run and visit the location at the same time of day as the telephone interview. This will allow you to check out everything prior to your call.
2. Do Your Homework:
Once you know the details of your telephone interview (company,
Explore recent publications, financial results (see what the analysts say about the company), social media outlets, and
3. Review Your Documents:
You have a huge advantage with a telephone interview. You can have whatever documents you want/need right in front of you. Take the time to refresh your memory with the details of
As mentioned above, you lack the advantage of being able to use (or see) body language, a firm handshake, and eye contact, so you need to portray this through your voice as much as is professionally possible.
4. Have your List of Questions:
Asking the right questions (and answering the
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5. Stick to Your Plans:
If for whatever reason you are unable to take the call, make sure you call them back as soon as you can, give a valid reason, and reschedule. Although you might have a small advantage with longer to prepare, only reschedule as a last resort. It is surprising how many people will make excuses for rescheduling.
In many ways, getting the job or course you covet will be based on how strong a connection you develop with the interviewer and how relevant your skills and experience are to the job or course being offered.
Tweet This6. Take Notes:
Take notes during the interview so that you can follow up on key points either during the interview, in follow-up interviews, or in your thank you note (yes, thank you notes are still very important).
7. Check Your Phone Logistics:
There is nothing worse than starting a telephone interview and discovering you have little or no cell signal. Or maybe the area you picked for your call is very noisy with lots of background noise. Scope out the area where you plan to take your call. Check your cell signal and noise level. Ensure there is a place for you to take notes and place your documents.
Sending a powerful thank you letter after an interview can help put you ahead other candidates interviewing for the job so you get the coveted offer. Receive step-by-step instructions on how to write custom thank you letters for every interview.
Interviews are designed for both parties to get the other talking, to find out more about each other, and see whether they would fit well into the company. Natural conversation can sometimes be a lot easier on the phone if you’ve done all of your research and plan ahead. Take everything as an experience and practice will make perfect!
Joey Trebif is the pen name of Mark Fiebert, a former finance executive who hired and managed dozens of professionals during his 30-plus-year career. He now shares expert job search, resume, and career advice on CareerAlley.com.
