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Phone Interview Tips

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emir deniz
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33 views

Phone Interview Tips

Uploaded by

emir deniz
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The Phone Interview

Cheatsheet
Print and place this cheat sheet in front of ■ Prepare your answers to commonly asked ■ Seek permission to follow up for information or
you to cruise through telephone interviews. interview questions and visualize your response in queries.
detail. (Refer to the last section of this PDF for a ■ Ensure that you have the right contact details and
Such interviews are often trial runs to shortlisting few interview questions you can expect.) the correct spelling and pronunciation of the
and face-to-face interviews. They are quite interviewer's name.
convenient for both the interviewer and the Pre-Interview Prep: Set Your
candidate as time and distance are no longer
Environment The Follow-Up
issues.
■ Find a quiet room that allows you to give an ■ Ask when and how you can follow up.

Both voice and video interviews bring a unique set interview without any disturbances. ■ When you don't hear back, it's ideal to send an

of challenges. But with the right preparation, you ■ Optimize the room temperature and light so you email a week after the phone interview.
can make the best of them and even take surprise can be comfortable during the interview. ■ Send a thank-you email.
calls in your stride. ■ Find a comfortable chair and desk to use.
■ Inform your family ahead of time about the Common Questions to Prep For
Advantages of a Phone Interview interview to ensure no one interrupts you. ■ Can you tell me a little about yourself?
■ You can participate from the comfort of your ■ Drink plenty of water and keep more close by.
■ Can you walk me through your life?
home or from anywhere else in the world. ■ Switch off all push notifications on your phone.
■ You can schedule the interview in advance and ■ Why do you want this job?
■ Charge your phone and keep your charger handy.
this flexibility can win you extra points. ■ Why do you want to work at this company?
■ Use a good set of noise-cancelling headphones.
■ You can give more descriptive answers. ■ What do you know about our company/and the
■ Have a pen and paper available to take notes and
■ You can cover up gaps in your resume by position you are applying for?
a calendar to schedule any follow-up interviews.
explaining the reasons behind them. ■ Why did you leave (or are leaving) your last
■ Dress professionally for the interview.
■ You can showcase your verbal communication position?
■ Visualize any obstacles or interruptions (for e.g.,
skills if body language is an issue. ■ Tell us about your current job role.
call drops) and your ideal response to manage
■ You can have relevant facts and figures handy ■ Are you willing to relocate or travel?
them.
and refer to them while giving the interview. ■ What applicable experiences or skills do you
■ Rehearse a simulated interview with someone
have?
and practice answers.
Pre-Interview Prep: Do Your Research ■ Why do you think you are the best person for the

■ Record a professional voicemail message as soon job?


The Interview
as you submit your resumes as calls can come at ■ Why is there a work gap in your resume? (If there
■ Mind your posture and avoid slouching.
the worst possible times. is...)
■ Do not eat, drink, or smoke during the interview.
■ Make a list of your strengths and weaknesses. ■ What is your greatest weakness?
■ Beware of sounding overfamiliar. Refer to the
■ Review the job advertisement and match your ■ What are some of your greatest strengths?
other person by their surname unless told to do
skills to the requirements asked for. otherwise. ■ What are your career goals?
■ Research key facts about the company and the ■ Do not interrupt the interviewer. ■ Tell me about a successful project you have
projects they are involved in. For e.g., place in the
■ Let the interviewer do most of the talking. completed.
industry, future outlook, news/press, product,
■ When it is your turn, be brief and factual. ■ How do you handle difficult situations? Give us an
culture.
■ Avoid "Yes" and "No" answers. Elaborate on your example.
■ List examples and projects you can use to
skill sets and experiences. ■ What are your salary expectations?
demonstrate how you fit the profile.
■ Do not hem and haw while answering as it ■ When can you start with us?
■ Print and organize this information alphabetically
indicates indecisiveness. ■ Do you have any questions for us?
for each position you have applied for.
■ Sound enthusiastic with your answers.
■ Prepare answers to common questions the
■ Pause, think, and give your answers clearly.
interviewer may ask.
■ Avoid clichéd responses.
■ Write your elevator pitch: what you have done in
■ Be honest about any unexpected distractions.
the past, what you are doing now, and what you
would like to be doing in the future. ■ Take quick notes or record the conversation so

■ Keep your CV and an alphabetized dossier of you can refer to it later for the face-to-face
interview, if there’s one.
companies you have applied to next to your phone
or computer. ■ Once the interview concludes, ask what the next

■ Learn more about your interviewer so you can put step will be in the process.

a face and personality behind the voice.

Copyright © 2019 MakeUseOf. For more cheat sheets, head over to www.makeuseof.com

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