It’s truly rewarding to receive an interview request once you’ve submitted an application for your dream job. Once you’ve gone through all the preliminary steps of meeting with the recruiter, you can prepare for the next step in the interview process— the phone interview.
Not all interviews go straight to Zoom. Phone interviews are standard for most companies, so your first impressions are everything. Nobody is going to be looking at you, observing your body language, judging your outfit choice or noting how firm your handshake is. It’s all in the voice.
No need to fret. Nailing the phone interview will be a piece of cake for you as long as you follow these tips:
1. Get on the same page
These are the details you absolutely need to know:
- You will need to know the time of the interview and what time zone they’re using. When the interviewer asks you what available times you have, always include your time zone if you’re in different states.
- What number they’re calling you from. Sometimes, even in a phone interview, hiring managers use systems like Teams that require a meeting link.
- Their contact information in case the call drops or there is a technical issue.
- Who you’re speaking to.
If you don’t have these details, always ask.
2. Have a salary number
Figure out what you’re worth. HINT: It’s not always what you’re currently making.
Use a salary calculator, do some market research and have an answer ready in case they ask. They may not ask, but they usually do. It’s often better to have a solid figure vs. a wide range to prevent a lowballed offer.
Also, know the laws in your state. A growing number of states are fighting against the question, “what do you currently make?” because it perpetuates pay gaps.
3. Cheat sheet
The nice thing about a phone interview is that nobody can see you. This means you could have a printout of your resume sprawled out in front of you and no one will ever know.
Obviously, you should not be reading your answers off from a sheet. This is a conversation, not a public reading of your autobiography. You wouldn’t want to listen to a speech presented by someone who is reading off their notes the whole time. Regardless of what the hiring manager can physically see, they’ll be able to hear the unnatural cadence of your voice. Sometimes, a Post-it note is all you need.
4. Treat it like they WILL see you
Yes, the nice part of a phone interview is that they can’t see you, but it also shouldn’t be a reason to not dress up.
Dressing the part has proven to add to your confidence. The same can be said for your facial expressions. People can notice a tonal difference when someone is smiling and when they’re frowning.
Basically, resist the urge to wear sweatpants and make sure to smile.
5. Do your research
Too many people make the mistake of winging phone interviews because they believe it isn’t as important, only to find themselves stumbling over their answers and jeopardizing their chances.
Look at the job description to get a general idea of what kind of person they’re looking for. Look at the company’s website and Google them to see if they’ve been in the news recently. Find their Glassdoor, google reviews and social media pages. This will help you craft your answers for the end of the interview.
Looking for an executive role in hospitality or senior living? Reach out to one of our recruiters here!