Hotline Bling

How to ace your next phone interview

Happy 2020 Everyone!

A new year is upon us which means 365 new days full of opportunities! I personally like to think of a new year as a reset, allowing you to get focused again, prioritizing what’s important to you and really doubling down on a fresh set of goals.

During the holidays, friends often tell me Nit: I think it’s time I changed my job. I’m ready to make the jump but I just don’t interview well.

It got me thinking, maybe I could shed some light on the different types of interviews in the hope that it helps candidates feel more comfortable. Here is a breakdown of the top tips that could help you ace your next phone interview.

Phone Interviews

Love them or hate them they’re usually the first step in most companies’ hiring process. They can be nerve-wrecking but once you’ve mastered them they’ll become second nature. Here are a few tips to consider for your next phone interview.

1. Bring the Energy/Be Genuine. In my opinion this is probably the difference between you moving to the next round or not.The interviewer cannot see your body language or gestures so your energy really does set the tone for the call. This is why it is imperative that you don’t sound distracted, disinterested or sluggish. On the flip side you also don’t want to come across too eager as sometimes it can give the impression that you are desperate. Find the middle ground, be genuine, and let your personality shine through. Another quick tip is to make sure you have somewhere quiet to talk where you won’t be interrupted. A quiet setting will allow you to speak freely, maintain professionalism and keep your focus.
2. Do your Research and be Prepared. I can’t stress this enough! You would be surprised by how many candidates have no clue about what the company they applied for does, or even what the role is.This is why it’s important to be prepared and do the research. Take a look at the company’s website, Linkedin page, and social media. This will help you to get a feel for what the company culture is like and what the company does. It’s also a great way for you to get excited about the company which in turn will show the interviewer that you’ve done your homework. Additionally, if the individual who is interviewing you has Linkedin, skim over their profile to see if you have mutual connections or interests. This helps as a great ice breaker and builds rapport.
3. Go through the Job description. As part of being prepared, go through the job description and see how your skills line up with what a company is looking for. It will help you get a better grasp for what can be expected from you and allows you to see if this role truly is going to make you happy long term. As you thoroughly go through the job description, make note of examples of how you mastered these tasks in the past and weave these examples into your conversation.
4. Know what you want in your next role. This is one question that I personally love to ask: “what does your ideal next role look like?” This usually addresses a few things:It shows the interviewer that you have put thought into what will make you happiest,that you’ve thought about your career aspirations. It will also help outline what the deal breakers are for you, and what values are most important. Thus saving you more time in the long run.
5. Don’t memorize your resume. Major key — don’t read off your resume, it really slows the flow of the conversation. Instead, when asked to talk about your previous work, highlight the milestones and goals you hit, what impact it had on the company, how your contributed and what your key learnings were.
6. Be Truthful. Always tell the truth! Don’t be afraid of questions like “What is your biggest weakness”, “Why did you leave your last role after such a short time”, “What was your biggest failure?” As much as you want to bend the truth, by telling the truth it illustrates a lot about your character and shows that you are self-aware and can take ownership of your mistakes/failures. Companies value honesty and telling the truth could be the difference between you getting hired and them going with another candidate. If it makes you feel more comfortable, practice by writing down your answers to these tricky questions and keeping them on hand if you do need. (Good news: it’s a phone interview so no one can tell you have your cheat sheet in front of you!)
7. Ask good questions. The phone interview is a great opportunity to get more clarity on the role or the company and see how it aligns with your values. You can ask about exciting new projects, the expectations for the first 30,60, 90 days on the role, etc. Avoid asking yes or no type questions that are overly broad and can be difficult to answer. I would also avoid questions about perks/ benefits. Save these types of questions for later in the process.By asking good questions it further shows the interviewer that you are engaged and interested in the role.
8. Thanking the interviewer. You’ve made it to the finish line! Thank the interviewer for taking the time to chat and ask what next steps are, and when you can expect to hear back from them.

To end off, my job seeking friends out there, try these tips out on your next phone interview. And remember, the worst that can happen is you make a new friend or connection.

Stay tuned for in-person interview tips in my next blog!