Graduate recruiters often carry out initial interviews via the telephone. These interviews are a time efficient way for a company to assess your suitability for a role, and to filter out candidates who do not meet the required experience. A telephone interview might be carried out by a representative from HR, a recruitment team, or possibly your potential new line-manager. Whoever you are interviewed by, they are likely to ask about general competencies and skills, and are looking for an interested and committed candidate.
While phone interviews have the advantage of being convenient and quick, they can feel different to a face to face interview as there are no visual clues to pick up on. The effects of distance and technology can make the conversation more awkward than a face to face meeting. One way to combat this is to prepare thoroughly.
Before – Prepare effectively
- Read the job description and have your CV / application form to hand so that you can refer to it if you are asked about your experience.
- Research the company you are applying to. Explore their website / social media / LinkedIn pages.
- Write down any questions that come to mind while you are doing your research. The phone interview is as much for you to find out about the company as it is for the company to find out about you. Ask about the company culture and development opportunities, as well as details about the role you are applying for.
- Think about the questions that you might be asked. Try to prepare examples of how you meet the requirements they are looking for.
- Set up a suitable environment for the interview. Where possible, try to provide a number that will only be answered by you, ideally a landline. If you are using a mobile make sure you have a fully charged phone and you are somewhere with a good signal.
- Make sure you are taking the call in an environment where you will not be disturbed. Avoid locations where you could be interrupted or where ambient noise could make your conversation difficult.
- Make sure your voicemail message sounds professional in case you miss the call.
- Try to get some practice – if you have had any work experience where you have used the phone in a professional context this will be useful. Try asking a friend or relative to help, they will be able to provide feedback about how you come across on the phone. Recording yourself and listening back can also help you to identify problems, such as using filler words (e.g. ‘like’ and ‘um’) or speaking too quickly.
The interview
Do
- Make sure you have a pen and notepad nearby to jot down any important information. It’s worth having easy access to your diary, so that any questions about your availability for further interviews are easy to answer.
- Have a glass of water handy.
- Try to dress smartly for the occasion and sit up straight or stand. This will make you feel and sound more professional.
- Answer the phone in a professional manner and make a note of the name of your interviewer. If there is something you do not understand then ask for it to be repeated.
- Speak clearly and try to smile – this will make you sound more confident and assertive.
Don’t
- Eat or drink while you are on the phone. A sip of water is fine, a big mac and large coke is not. Similarly, do not chew gum, or smoke / vape while on the phone.
- Check emails, social media, text messages etc. The interviewer will be able to tell that your attention is divided.
- Have the television, music, or conversation in the background.
- Interrupt – let the interviewer finish their sentence before you reply.
At the end of the Interview
If you are asked whether you have any questions then refer to your research notes, as well as the notes you have taken during the interview. Remember to thank the interviewer for their time and reiterate your interest in the role. Ask what will happen next and what the timescale for this is. Finally, send a follow up email, thanking the interviewer for their time and restating your interest in the role.
Image Credits:
Image credit: Joan Blondell, “Desk Set” 1957 by Classic Film / Flickr / CC BY-NC 2.0
