How To Prepare for a Phone Interview

Recent shifts in the job market have resulted in high demand for remote and rural job candidates. This has meant one thing for job seekers. Phone interviews are now more common than ever. As the fastest growing recruitment agency in Australia, we know a thing or two about how to prepare for a phone interview. 

With face-to-face interviews, you can rely on your interpersonal skills to make a good impression, but this isn’t the case over the phone. The key to giving a memorable phone interview is preparation. The more you can effectively communicate your expertise and experience as well as demonstrate that you have a thorough understanding of the role, the more you will stand out and make a great first impression to potential employers. 

Here are our tips to help you prepare for any phone interview, no matter the role. 

How To Prepare for a Job Interview Over the Phone 

Confirm The Details 

The first step to preparing for any interview is to confirm the details! Double-check the date, time, and time zone. Take careful note of whether you have been instructed to send through any information before the interview or prepare anything specific for the interview. Once you have all the details sorted, it never hurts to send an email to confirm all of these details – better safe than sorry! 

Don’t forget to include your contact information and ask for theirs. It should also be clear whether you are to phone in for the interview or wait for their call. Supply them with an alternate method of reaching you in case the call drops out. A Google Meet or Zoom link is always a great backup. 

Do Your Research 

As with any job interview, the more research you can do the better. Read their website thoroughly, check out their social media to get an idea of their company culture, and look up reviews and other resources about the company. An easy way to see if you align with a company is to check out its values. It can be helpful to take notes and create a cheat sheet for you to reference during the interview. 

Prepare Your Answers to Common Questions 

Once you have sufficiently researched the company, its values, and the position you’re interviewing for, you should have an idea about what questions they may ask. Add to this knowledge by researching and practicing common phone interview questions. Prepare to sell yourself as an asset to the company – get ready to explain why you’re a great cultural fit, and how your experience links to the role. 

Interview questions usually fall into three categories. Questions about your experience, the job you’re applying for, or you personally. For a full guide to some of the most common interview questions, check out our blog How To Prepare For A Job Interview

Prepare A List of Questions

During your research, you’ll likely come up with a few questions of your own. Whether they’re about the specific role you’re applying for or the company in general, write these questions down. Most employers appreciate candidates who show initiative. Come prepared with thoughtful questions to show the interviewer that you have thoroughly prepared for the interview. It will also give you valuable insight into the company and role. 

Prepare The Room, Your Tech, & Yourself 

After all this preparation, the last thing you want is to be derailed before or during your interview by an unnecessary distraction or technical hiccup. Set yourself up in a quiet room with minimal distractions and dress the part. While it may be tempting to do your interview from bed in your cosiest pyjamas, this doesn’t put you in a professional mindset – looking the part is important. 

It’s also extremely important to ensure that your reception is good, and your phone is working as it should. A bad connection is an avoidable hurdle that could easily throw you off your game. It’s also a good idea to record a professional voicemail message. 

Above all, make sure you have everything you need. The biggest benefit of a phone interview is that you can’t be seen, so use that to your advantage. Have your list of questions, a glass of water, a cheat sheet of essential company information, and anything else that could help laid out in front of you. 

After The Interview 

Once you have completed your interview, take notes on the new information you have gained about the position. Do this while this information is still fresh in your mind so that you don’t miss any important details and have to re-ask the same questions later.

Unless you’re given specific follow-up instructions, don’t forget to send an email thanking the interview/s for their time, and don’t forget to include that you look forward to hearing back from them. It shows confidence!