How To Prepare For A
Positive Telephone Interview
Katie Jackson from Kindred Recruitment takes a closer look
at telephone interviews and how to prepare for a positive
conversation with a prospective employer.
Telephone interviews are now commonplace in today’s
recruitment landscape, yet many candidates are interviewing
in this manner for the first time. In lots of ways, telephone
interviews present more challenges compared to meeting a
future employer face to face. Telephone interviews rely
almost completely on the sound of our voice. There is no
opportunity to use facial expressions or to make eye contact.
You can’t make that all important first impression with a
smart suit or firm handshake. We aren’t able to connect with
someone in the way that we can face to face, but you can still
make preparations to ensure the interview goes well and you
progress to the next interview.
Research
Prepare for a telephone interview as you would for any other
type of interview. Split your preparation into three key areas:
1. Research the company and the role.
2. Familiarisation of your own CV and why you are a good fit
for the role (skills and experience).
3. Questions you would like to ask – focus on the
company/brand, responsibilities of the role or team. Avoid
questions on salary, bonus, holiday and promotion.
Interview Day
It is important to get into the mindset of interviewing. This is
your opportunity to sell yourself and the skills and experience
you could bring to the role. I know someone who as a fresh
graduate wore a suit during all of his telephone interviews. It
got him in the correct mindset and today he is a successful
leader for a well-recognised global business. Consider where
you will have the interview. Find a quiet room where you
won’t be distracted and there is plenty of signal if using a
mobile phone. There is also no harm in having a copy of your
CV and the job spec in front of you, as well as two or three
questions.
During the Interview
Answer the phone in