The humble phone interview is most job seekers\u2019 first step onto a path that leads to an employment offer. And while they\u2019re great for a variety of reasons\u2014you don\u2019t have to drive anywhere, and you can do it in your bathrobe\u2014the phone interview is a deceptively difficult skill to master. Here\u2019s how you can stand out and make an impression, even when you\u2019re just a voice on the phone.<\/p>\n
Learn as much as you can about the company and the position that\u2019s being offered. Study the job ad and prepare yourself to answer questions about your resume. Obviously, this could be traditional research about what the company does to stand out, basic capacities, and leadership, but don\u2019t forget to check social media to get an idea of the company\u2019s brand and culture. The more you know, the easier it will be to tailor your answers and impress your interviewer.<\/p>\n
Even when you have a killer portfolio filled with award-winning work, nothing beats the opportunity to sell it by carefully walking the interviewer through it, which you often don\u2019t get during a phone interview. You\u2019ve probably already listed your URL on your resume or the online job forms, but also send a carefully designed PDF that showcases only your best and most relevant work. On each page, add a rationale, or a brief blurb that summarizes the problem you solved, the thinking behind the solution, and your role in the project. You still may not get the chance to review it, but your interviewer will be impressed with your effort.<\/p>\n
This is one situation where you don\u2019t want to multitask. It\u2019s super-unprofessional to have a dog barking in the background or a barista announcing that Michael\u2019s half-caff latte is ready. And even if you\u2019re at home, go to a place where you won\u2019t allow yourself to be distracted (i.e., no TV, family, or even a computer competing for your attention).<\/p>\n
We can\u2019t emphasize it enough: your clothing choices influence how you see yourself and how you present yourself, even in speech. Put on something that reminds you of what an awesome professional you are\u2014maybe it\u2019s a black turtleneck and jeans \u00e0 la Steve Jobs, or maybe it IS a 3-piece suit, as long as it\u2019s whatever you feel.<\/p>\n
Your interviewer will never be more attentive than when they finish their introduction and turn the conversation over to you. This is the perfect time to go to your elevator speech\u2014not only is it a succinct summary of your qualifications, it\u2019s your best opportunity to demonstrate your personal brand. Better still, edit it in advance so you\u2019re including the employer\u2019s keywords and anything else that makes you uniquely qualified for that specific job.<\/p>\n
Starting your answers using the exact same words will buy you time to collect your thoughts, and this \u201cecho effect\u201d is an ingenious little social hack that\u2019s been proven in studies to build feeling of safety, trust, and rapport. Use it sparingly though, or else the hiring manager may start to get a weird feeling about the interview!<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t just take little sips of air, but breathe deeply from your belly or diaphragm. Diaphragm breathing gives you a deeper supply of oxygen, forces you to slow your speech down, and can actually calm your nerves since those frequent, shallow lung gulps are part of the body\u2019s \u201cfight or flight\u201d reaction. When you make it to the face-to-face interview, it will improve your posture and help you sit up straighter, so it\u2019s a win all the way around.<\/p>\n
A carefully planned set of questions can do two things: they can help you look engaged and further cement a winning impression, and they can also help get a better picture of the job since you don\u2019t have any visual cues. Ask about the working environment, the culture, and the number of employees located in the office.<\/p>\n
Even if you don\u2019t want the job, send a thank-you note: after all, other jobs may become available at the company and that recruiter or hiring manager might end up at another company later, so it pays to do the simple things that lead to a favorable impression. If you really did want the job, follow up, but wait at least a week. It\u2019s likely that your interviewer is at the stage where they\u2019re still swamped in resumes, so if you don\u2019t hear from them, it may reveal a lack of time rather than a lack of interest.<\/p>\n
It may take a few tries before you really feel in your element during a phone interview. But like anything else, the more you practice, the better you get, and soon you\u2019ll have to start thinking about what to wear.<\/p>\n