The phone screen is a crucial stage in any selection process. Making sure that you ace the phone interview stage is incredibly important if you’re hoping to move forward with the hiring process. If you screen poorly on the phone, it’s very unlikely that you’ll be asked to continue with an in-person interview. Being prepared and confident for a phone screen is just as important as being prepared for any other step of the process, so don’t underestimate its importance and come unprepared! Here are a few tips to help you ace your next phone interview:
1.Be Prepared
Prepare for a phone interview just as you would for a regular interview. You will want to have any resources you may need such as your resume or computer in front of you so you’re not caught off-guard. Be prepared to speak clearly and confidently about your experience and accomplishments so that you don’t sound unsure or unprepared.
2. Be Aware
There are many factors you must take into consideration with phone screens. Make sure that you are in a quiet area where you and your interviewer won’t be distracted by noise, make sure you have good reception and avoid chewing food or gum during the interview so that you are heard clearly. Also, speak slowly and enunciate more than you would in-person.
3. Practice
Talking on the phone isn’t as easy as it seems, and can even be more difficult than speaking in-person. It can be helpful to conduct a mock interview with a friend or family member. Having them ask you difficult questions and even recording yourself so you can hear how you sound is a great idea. With enough practice your phone screen can seem less daunting and allow you to feel more confident which will be evident when you speak.
4. Sound the part
You want to sound interested and energetic. Since the person on the other end can’t see you or any physical cues like hand gestures, it’s important to relay interest in your voice. Speak clearly, confidently and enthusiastically. Also, it may sound silly but try and smile, it brings energy and excitement to your voice. Try to be as engaging as possible so your interviewer keeps interest in the conversation and wants to bring you in for an actual interview.
Following these four steps will help you feel calm and confident when it’s time for your interview. Want to put these skills to work? Apply to one of our open positions and ace your phone screen with one of our recruiters!
