A successful phone interview is certainly the big prerequisite to the in-house/face-to-face interview which will hopefully lead to the offer. So how do I start the process?

Preparation is Key

How should you prepare for the phone interview? Here are five of our best tips we have developed from experience over the years:

1. Be prepared and don’t “wing it”.
Prepare as you would for a regular interview. Compile a separate list of your strengths and weaknesses, as well as a list of answers to typical interview questions*. In addition, plan on being prepared for a phone conversation about your background and skills. As a rule, follow the resume flow. It will impress the interviewer.

2. Have your resume in front of you.
From a point outlined on your resume, be prepared to give a project overview from start to finish. As you go through the project, shorten or lengthen your discussion based upon the interaction with the interviewer. But do keep it short and concise. Your objective here is to relay to the interviewer your thinking process!

3. Ask questions pertinent to the position.
Don’t ask those “pie in the sky” questions like “what’s the company outlook for the future?” Stick to the relevancy of the position for which you are interviewing. You are being evaluated on skills first. Save the company questions for later.

4. If you must use a cell phone, make sure it has a strong signal.
We have interviewed folks from their cell phones that had AWFUL reception. Technology and professionalism go together. Upgrade to a better phone or better signal–it will reflect better on you.

5. Remember your goal is to impress the interviewer enough to move on to a face-to-face interview.
If you focus on your skills, answer the questions precisely, and come across in a professional yet communicative manner, then you will hit the double off the center field wall. Now get ready to hit a home run when you get that call that says, “We want to bring you in!”