Phone interviews can be scary.  How do you approach this intimidating situation and turn it to your advantage? How do you convey your value without meeting your potential employer face to face?  It's not a situation in which all applicants thrive, but the good news is that there's a lot you can do to tip the situation in your favor.  This week Lillian Kafka shares five of the most effective ways to prepare for phone interviews.
business women on phone
 On paper, a phone interview sounds pretty nice, doesn't it?  You get to be interviewed for a job in the comfort of your living room, or in your pajamas.  In practice, however, this break from a "traditional" interview setting is a frightening prospect to many interviewees. Which is interesting.  Why do phone interviews end up feeling so awkward or difficult? In short, it's because there are pitfalls to the nature of phone interviews that many interviewees fail to keep in mind.  If you are aware of them, though, you can prepare in advance and give a top-notch impression to the interviewer.  Doing so will help you stand out even further as a strong candidate, as your interviewer is no doubt used to applicants fumbling for answers and not knowing how to convey their value over the phone.  Their loss is your gain.  Come off well, and you come off better. So how do you do that?  I'm glad you asked.  You can stand out (the right way) with these five tips to ace your phone interview.

1. Take it seriously.

It's important to keep in mind that a phone interview isn't any less "real" than a traditional interview.  Don't make the mistake of treating it less formally, or falling into a style of conversation that wouldn't be appropriate for an office setting.  The telephone is a verbal medium, but that's not your cue to get unreasonably chatty or to resort to small talk.  This is the real deal. Just as in a face-to-face interview, you should treat this as an opportunity to impress your future boss. Take the phone call seriously. Maintain a professional tone and candor, and focus on making the best first impression.

2. Take some time to "commute" anyway.

In a traditional interview setting, you should plan to arrive 10 to 15 minutes early.  Take your phone interview just as seriously, and do the same thing. While phone interviews eliminate the potential obstacles of weather, traffic, or unclear directions, it's important to find a comfortable, quiet place to take the call long before the phone rings. Treat this as your "commute," and plan for it accordingly. Take time to make sure the dog is fed and won't be barking with hunger.  Let your family know that you can't be interrupted until after the call is over.  And it should probably go without saying that you should  never interview in public; you can’t control what other people will say or do. And, let's face it, you get annoyed when other people interview in public, so don't do it yourself! The most important part of this "commute," though, is the chance to make sure you're in the right frame of mind. Take a few deep breaths. Clear your mind.  Anxiety is common before interviews, so give yourself enough time to "commute" mentally, and make sure you'll be focused and alert.

3. Watch your (body) language.

Did you know that non-verbal communication accounts for 93% of what you say?  That's staggering.  How could someone possibly get a complete sense of what you're saying when they hear only your words? Well, it's true that your interviewer won't see you.  They will be aware of your tone of voice, though, which can give away everything from nerves to confidence.  How do you make your tone work in your favor?  The same way you would if they could see you:  body language. Even if they can’t see you smiling, smile. It can make a psychological difference, and affect the way you're portraying yourself. You've had phone calls with friends during which you could just "hear" their frowns, right? Interviewers have that same ability. On the same note, don't slouch.  Don't let your eyes wander.  Stay conscious of who you are and how you present yourself; it will make a difference. You can also affect your tone for the more professional by taking the time to dress just as you would for a face-to-face interview. What you wear might seem irrelevant, but it's not. Studies show that a person’s confidence is greatly affected by his or her outfit. If you look better and feel confident, your voice will “follow suit.”

4. Prepare, prepare, prepare.

What do you know about the company?  What do you know about the job for which you are applying?  If the answer to either question is "not much," do some researching, and don't try to hold all of the information in your head. Instead, gather any materials you might need for the phone interview. Keep handy a copy of the job description handy, and mark it up with any questions about the position. Make sure you have your resume at hand. Create a separate, informal list of talking points that spotlight your qualifications and achievements.  This will help you remember to say all of the great things about yourself so that you won't later regret leaving something out. The ability to refer to notes is one of the greatest advantages of a phone interview, so be sure to do it!  You will sound more professional, and you won't ever be at a loss for words.

5. Ask questions.

Never, ever get off the phone without asking at least one question about the job. There are two major reasons for this. Firstly, you should have questions about the job.  If you're going to be working there, you want to make sure it's a good fit for who you are, your work habits, and what you'd like to accomplish in your career.  Secondly, it demonstrates an active interest in the position, and shows that you aren't willing to accept just any job. And, hey, they get to put you on the spot with tough questions. Shift the attention back them, and demonstrate that you're as engaged in the interview as they are. Here are some ideas of what to ask:
  • What does this job look like in four years?  
  • What kind of skills will I learn in this position? 
  • Can you describe the ideal candidate for this position? 
  • What reservations do you have about hiring me for this position? 

Ready, set, ace the interview!

The above tips are only a few things you can do to ace that difficult phone interview, and different strategies will work for different applicants. Remember, you may be intimidated by phone interviews, but you can use that apprehension to your advantage. Plan ahead, stay focused, and take it seriously. You may be surprised at how well you do.