8 Great Tips for Phone Interviews

8 Great Tips for Phone Interviews8 Great Tips for Phone Interviews2You may have noticed- we certainly have- that more and more, employers are opting for phone interviews. Whether it be a quick screening call, or a full-fledged interview, this type of interview is convenient, cost-effective, and time-saving. Communication skills are important in any job, and even more so for telecommuting positions where the majority of your conversations will be done through phone or e-mail. Being able to present yourself well over the phone is an essential skill for every job seeker.To prepare for phone interviews, follow these tipsChoose a quiet schauplatz.Where you conduct your interview is one of the most important things to consider. Avoid places like the outdoors, your car, or any other noise-prone area. Find a quiet space in your home where you can close doors and windows to limit interruptions. Sometimes, as silly as it may seem, the bathroom is an excellent option.Remove distractions.If you are in a home office, or another room with distracting items like computers, books, magazines, laundry that needs to be folded, etc., remove those distraction before you begin the interview. Turn off your computer and cell phone, put away the laundry, and hide the books and magazines. If you must use a cell phone for your interview, be sure to choose a location that has excellent cell service.Practice speaking professionally over the phone.Enlist a friend or family member to help you with a mock-phone interview. Its one thing to be able to speak casually on the phone, but its quiet another to speak with authority, confidence, and clarity when youre under pressure.Research the company and even the interviewer.Familiarize yourself with the company by spending some time on their website, reading their recent press releases, news coverage, andAbout section. Also, use LinkedIn to learn about the person interviewing you. Doing both of these things show that youre proactive and prepared go od traits for an employeePrepare a list of bullet points.One of the biggest benefits of doing a phone interview is that you can use notes to help with your responses and to make sure you convey important points about yourself. Its a great idea to review the job posting, and take 10 minutes to brainstormas to what experienceswould make you a great candidate for this role,jotting down specific accomplishments or anecdotes that are related. Also,note any specific questions you haveabout the role or the company that you want to ask.Act the part.Just because you arent in the employers office doesnt mean you can slack on the details. Smile as you are speaking because this tends to be heard in your voice. Dress uppeople feel more professional in a suit. Avoid smoking, chewing gum, eating, or drinking. A glass of water is fine, but try to be very quiet as you drink. holding-gesellschaft the mouthpiece of the phone away from your face if necessary. Treat your phone interview just as you woul d treat an in-person job interview.Put a period on it.Phone interviews dont afford the benefit of body language and facial expressions to move the conversation forward. Be sure to end your answers clearly, so that the interviewer knows that they can proceed with their questions. Trailing off isnt an option in a phone interview. Rephrasing the question can help you end your answer. For example, I have 10 years of experience, I am a self-starter, and an excellent communicator. And this is why I feel that Im well-qualified for your position.Have the necessities ready.Youll want to have a copy of the job posting, your resume and cover letter handy, as well as a pad and pen to take notes.