Performing well in a telephone interview

Telephone interviews have widely become one of the key stages within the recruitment process. They’re useful for urgent roles that need filling quickly or for first stage interviews to screen candidates. However, these can be daunting for those that may not have much experience with interviewing over the phone.

So, how do you prepare for a telephone interview and what's the best practice during these conversations? 

While they may seem less formal than face-to-face meetings, preparation and professionalism are just as important.  In this guide, we will go through all there is to know about telephone interviews and how to perform well to make a lasting impression. 

Prepare as you would a face-to-face interview

The foundation of a successful telephone interview lies in thorough preparation. Research the company and the role in detail, and be familiar with your CV and any documents you’ve submitted. This will help you respond confidently to questions about your experience and qualifications.

Take time to look at the company's vision and values as well as information about the person interviewing you - they will more than likely be on a 'Meet the team' section of the website. 

Look at things others might not necessarily think to, for example: does the company get involved in any charity work, do they hold any awards or accreditations that you are particularly impressed with, or have they been in any local/national news recently?

It would also be good practice to go back through the job description to make sure that the skills and experience you discuss are the most relevant for the role, fitting the responsibilities and requirements listed. 

Ensure you have got enough signal and battery charge

This might seem obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people get caught out by this and only realise at the very last moment. Make sure you have sufficient signal (you can check this beforehand) on your phone.

Make sure your battery is charged and won’t cut the call off. If you need to, keep it charging or use a power bank.

Create a professional environment 

Even though the interviewer cannot see you, it's still important to make sure you have limited distractions and background noise. Ensure you're in a quiet area where you won't be interrupted - if you live with others, let them know that you have an interview or important call, or try to plan the call during a time when you know the house will be quieter.

Actively listen

In a telephone interview, you lose the ability to rely on body language cues, making clear communication even more important. Listen carefully the the interviewer and don't rush to answer, instead take a moment to process the question and ensure you're fully addressing it. 

Avoid interrupting the interviewer and allow them to finish speaking before responding. If the line cuts out, quickly explain this and ask for clarification or for them to repeat themselves, rather than guessing and potentially missing something they said. 

Communicate clearly 

Without visual cues, your tone and language play an even larger role in conveying enthusiasm and professionalism.

• Speak clearly and at a steady pace: Make sure your voice is calm and avoid speaking too fast.
• Use positive language: Your enthusiasm for the role should come across in your voice. Smiling while you speak can help make your tone more engaging.
• Be concise: While it’s important to provide thorough answers, avoid long-winded explanations. Keep responses relevant and to the point.

Keep your CV in front of you

As previously mentioned, you can use your CV as a reference point whilst speaking to the interviewer. Consider keeping it by the phone so you are able to quickly take a look if you may need to, this may also help in calming your nerves - even if you don't use it! 

Be careful not to have too many documents in front of you though as you still want to sound natural and you won’t have this to rely on if there's a face-to-face interview. 

Sell yourself

If you have a telephone interview the chances are that the employer is also speaking to a number of other candidates, so make sure you stand out. Think about why you should be invited to the next stage and what skills differentiate you from your competitors and get that across throughout the interview.

Tell them what excites you about the role, highlight your strengths in relation to the role, and think about how you are going to stand out against the other interviewees with very similar experiences to yourself.

You voice is your instrument when taking part in a phone interview so there’s nothing wrong with a practice run with a family member or friend to make sure you’re conveying confidence and professionalism. You could also consider recording yourself to check your pace.

If you are able to do a mock interview, think about some of the most common questions: 

• Tell me about yourself and your experience. It’s best here to speak about your current role and how it makes your qualified for the job you’re interviewing for.
  
  
• Why are you interested in this position? This allows the interviewer to get an idea of how serious about the role. You should have researched the company and made sure you are familiar with the job description, expanding on some of the points listed within it.
  
  
• What do you know about the role? Similar to the above question, this is to ensure that you’ve really looked at the position. The interviewer needs to know that you understand the basics of the role and how much research you have done. This is a great opportunity to ask questions you’re not sure on to broaden your knowledge and demonstrate your enthusiasm.
  
  
• Where do you see yourself in the next few years? It’s wise and sensible for hiring managers or interviewers to try and find out early on what your career expectations are, particularly to see whether they align with the company and the possibilities that the role can offer.
  
  
• What is your notice period/when can you start? The interviewer might be looking to fill the position immediately, it would be helpful to check your current contract and see what your notice period is beforehand.

Close the interview well

It is important to end the interview on a positive note. Make sure you ask relevant questions, and listen carefully to the answers in case you need to respond further.

More on interview questions to ask below.

What are the best questions to ask during an interview? 

• What does a typical day look like? This will give a clearer impression of what you could expect your day-to-day responsibilities to be in this new role.
• Are there opportunities for training and progression within this role? This question will help you learn whether or not you will be entering into a dynamic role that can grow and change as your skills expand.
• Can you tell me more about the team or colleagues I would be working with? Not only will this tell you a lot about the team dynamics within the organisation, but it can also reveal details about the structure of the team, the chain of command and their current project focus.

You can see more questions to ask during an interview in our candidate resource.  

A telephone interview is your chance to make a strong first impression. By preparing thoroughly, creating a professional environment, and communicating effectively, you can set yourself up for success and move one step closer to securing your next role.

For more career advice and support, visit our Candidate Resources page or get in touch with our team at Sellick Partnership. We’re here to help you navigate the recruitment process and land your perfect role!

Got a telephone interview coming up and need more help? We would be more than happy to help: get in touch today.