15 Phone Interview Tips to Help You Win the Job

After 4 years and now 4 jobs later, I would say one of my strengths is interviewing. I recently took a personality test and my number one trait was competition, so it’s no surprise that I feel like I have to “win” the job. During my height of competition dance team, I was an average dancer but when it came to auditions I always exceeded expectations. It’s something about the pressure that really motivates me.

Over the years, I have picked up a number of interview tips and especially phone interview tips that have helped me. Phone interviews are always awkward because you can’t tell what’s happening on the other end of the line.

15 Phone Interview Tips

1. Make sure you are in an area with proven cell phone service to avoid any unwanted static or dropped calls.
2. Be sure to minimize external distractions and/or noises, such as other people talking, dogs barking, children, or television, radio, coffee shop noise, etc…
3. Answer the call with “First Name, Last Name”.
4. Have a pad of paper and pen nearby to take notes with while talking.
5. Stand up or sit tall when speaking.  (It helps the projection of your voice be heard over the phone).
6. Speak at a regular or partially- slow pace.  Sometimes we get nervous during interviews and have a natural tendency to speak fast, or rush through our answers.  On a phone call, this can make the other person have a difficult time understanding you, or hear what you are saying.
   • Remember: take a deep breath right before you respond to a question and answer with poise and articulation.
7. Do not put the phone on speaker, Bluetooth, or hands-free car Speaker mode.  This causes the recipient to hear external noises or sometimes makes you sound as if you are in a tunnel, or echo.
8. Try to breathe through your nose (if possible).  Stay with me here. On a phone call, “mouth breathing” can cause poor phone communication quality, and make it difficult for the other person to hear you.  When possible, try to breathe through your nose.
9. Have a mirror nearby.  I know this one may sound strange, but it can oftentimes help you realize when your body language and/or demeanor may have relaxed during the call.  Believe it or not, body language can be “heard” over a call.  Sit up straight, as if you were interviewing in-person.
10. Be sure to Smile- people can hear smiles as well
11. Be sure to research the product/services and business online.
12. Have your questions pre-written prior to the interview.  Sometimes, we get distracted during an interview and forget what we had intended on asking.
    • Do this for in-person interviews as well! I always bring a notebook with pre-written questions, so I don’t forget. This always makes you look extra prepared.
13. Have the job description printed and nearby, in case they want to ask you specific questions related to the job.
14. Have your resume printed and nearby, in case they want to ask you specific questions about your resume.
15. Turn your phone on do not disturb. The last thing you want is another phone call coming or your phone buzzing from a group text while you are trying to talk.

Best of luck in your interview! Hopefully, these tips help you win the job!