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how to nail a phone interview: How to Nail Your Phone Interview (With Tips)
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If you’re like me, you’ve had a few phone interview fails in your day. Maybe you were too nervous to answer the first question properly and never recovered from that awkward pause, or maybe you were so excited about getting an interview that you didn’t take time to prepare beforehand. The point is: no matter how many times I’ve been on one of these calls, it’s always nerve-wracking! Thankfully though, there are ways to help ensure your next phone interview goes smoothly. In this post we’ll share some tips on how to nail those important conversations with potential employers — and hopefully score yourself a new job offer!
Be prepared.
The best way to prepare for a phone interview is by knowing everything you can about the company, job and interviewer. If you’re applying for an entry-level role at a large corporation, this will be easier than if you’re applying for an executive position at a small startup. In either case, there are some things that all candidates should do:
Practice the key things you’ll need to say.
Practice is key. It’s the only way to know if your answers feel natural, and it will help you avoid awkward pauses or rambling.
It’s also important to avoid practicing with friends or family members who might give you feedback that doesn’t reflect what an interviewer would say. Instead, find a few people who are willing to be your mock interviewers and have them ask some questions based on the job description and research you’ve done on the company (you can even use this article as a guide).
Once you feel like your answers are solidified in terms of content and delivery, then it’s time for another round of practice–but this time with an actual phone call!
When you’re ready, let the interviewer know you’re calling in.
When you are ready, let the interviewer know you’re calling in. If they don’t pick up right away, don’t worry–in some cases, it might take a few minutes for them to hop onto their computer and dial into their conference line. If there’s no conference line and only one person can call at a time, let them know when it’s your turn so they can answer right away (and not miss anything).
If there is a conference line set up for this interview and multiple people are interviewing for the same position with different companies or organizations at once, make sure everyone knows who is talking and keep track of which questions belong to whom!
Bring pen and paper.
The best way to prepare for a phone interview is by having everything you need at your fingertips, including a pen and paper. Write down any questions that come up during the call so that you don’t forget them when it comes time for the next step in the process–either an on-site or video interview. You’ll also want to take notes on what the interviewer says during this conversation; they may ask some questions back later in order to gauge how well prepared you were for their initial inquiry! Additionally, if there are any important dates or times involved with this position (such as when they’ll be making their decision), jot those down on your pad too–you don’t want anything slipping through the cracks! Lastly, if possible try asking some follow-up queries about yourself into which direction does this company see itself heading over next six months?
Make sure your phone is in a quiet place, with no interruptions.
Talk slowly and clearly, enunciating words without rushing or mumbling.
But don’t be too slow or monotonous either — it’s okay to speak with some excitement and emotion.
This can help you nail your phone interview
In the end, there’s no magic formula for nailing a phone interview. But by following these tips and taking advantage of the resources we’ve provided here, you can make sure that your next call with a potential employer goes as smoothly as possible — and that you come out on top!
how to nail a phone interview: How to Nail Your Phone Interview (With Tips)
Introduction
While phone interviews are a lot less stressful than in-person ones, they still require a lot of preparation to achieve success. In this article, we’ll go over how to nail your next phone interview so you can make the most of this opportunity and impress potential employers.
Practice Makes Perfect
Practice makes perfect. The more you practice your phone interview skills, the better you’ll be at answering questions and selling yourself to employers. Here are some tips for perfecting your technique:
Prepare for questions
Anticipate any problems or issues that might arise.
The recruiter might ask you about a time when you’ve had to deal with a problem or issue. If this happens, think about how you dealt with it and what your reaction was. The recruiter will want to see that you can handle stressful situations in a professional manner and come up with solutions on the fly.
Build up your confidence.
The first step to nailing your phone interview is to build up your confidence. It’s okay if you don’t feel confident right now–it’s normal to feel nervous about a big new opportunity or job offer. But if you want to get through this interview, it’s important that you do everything possible so that when the hiring manager asks how confident you are in yourself and your skills as an employee, there isn’t any hesitation in your voice when answering their question.
You can do this by thinking about all the reasons why someone would want themself on their team: what makes them such an excellent candidate? What experiences have they had that will help them succeed at this role? If nothing comes immediately to mind, take some time beforehand (while waiting for or riding in public transportation) so that when asked these questions during an actual phone call with HR representatives or recruiters who might be listening in at some point during our conversation together later today/tomorrow morning/afternoon/evening…
Know how to answer questions about your skills, experience and how you’re qualified for the job.
You should be prepared to answer questions about your skills, experience and how you’re qualified for the job. The best way to do this is by using the STAR method:
Always respond to questions with confidence.
Always respond to questions with confidence. Remember that you’re the expert in your field, and they want to hear your ideas and opinions. So don’t be afraid to speak up!
Use positive language when answering questions, such as “I can,” or “I have.” This will help you sound more confident and give off a better impression of yourself as an applicant. You don’t want the person on the other end thinking that you lack any skills or experience for this job–so always use words like “I” instead of “we.” This makes it seem like everything was done by one person (you), which is helpful when talking about past projects or experiences where multiple people were involved but only one person did most of the work (and therefore deserves credit).
Be prepared with answers ready when asked about how qualified someone may think they are for this role at their company! If there is something specific listed out in particular from their requirements sheet then feel free too mention them specifically..
Don’t get caught up in the minutiae.
The most important thing to remember is that you should be prepared to answer any question they ask you. Don’t get caught up in the minutiae of your resume or experience, as this can make you look unprepared and disinterested. Instead, focus on the big picture–why are you a good fit for this job? How have past experiences translated into what they need from their employees?
So don’t sweat the small stuff (or even worry about it). Instead, focus on demonstrating why your skills and experience make you a great asset to their organization.
A phone interview doesn’t mean you have to be held hostage by it.
A phone interview doesn’t mean that you have to be held hostage by it. You can still use your phone like a normal person would, which means taking notes and asking questions if needed.
It’s important not to forget that the interviewer can’t see you, so try not to worry about how you look or sound. Just treat this like any other conversation–and if it helps, pretend they’re in front of you! Remember: they want what’s best for their company just as much as you do (or at least they should). If there is anything about the job or company that doesn’t feel right for whatever reason, then don’t take it personally–just say thanks for considering me but no thanks!
Conclusion
As long as you know what to expect and how to prepare, there’s no reason why your phone interview shouldn’t go well. In fact, it can be a great way for both parties involved to learn more about each other before deciding whether or not they want to move forward with hiring someone in person or over the phone. So don’t be nervous–just make sure that everything is ready before calling!