3 Simple Steps to Acing Your Phone Interview

You’ve scored a first interview! Congratulations. But it happens to be a phone interview, and you’re not quite sure how to put your best “face” forward without an actual face. Perhaps you freeze on the phone, and forget everything about who you are and what you know. Don’t hyperventilate just yet. You’re not alone. Most people have a difficult time navigating phone interviews. But by acing a phone interview without the crutch of body language, you can give interviewers a deeper glimpse into you, and get them excited to meet the voice over the phone in person.

1. Stand out

Your interviewer is working through stacks of potentially great candidates, and likely making several phone calls every day. Make yourself memorable. Calling your recruiter prior to the interview can help you anticipate what to expect, and work off some of the nervous energy so you can be at your best.

CyberCoders Recruiter Mike Anderson says, “If [you show] the least bit of excitement, [you] could land that second interview. Use voice inflection, tell a story, show a personal side, and maybe even add some comedy to make [yourself] memorable.” If you set yourself apart, your interviewer is more likely to remember you and directly contact your recruiter rather than waiting for your recruiter to follow-up with them.

2. Frame yourself in context 

It’s helpful to remind yourself of the benefits of phone interviews. You can (and should) have the job description open in front of you so that you can tailor your responses to exactly what the interviewer is looking for. Refer back to your resume should you forget what it is you actually do and have done. This will create a favorable impression by showing them that your goals align with the company.

Anderson elaborates, “If the job description said, ‘Create beautifully well-written, flawless, front-end code,’ then the candidate could say, ‘My goal is to work for a company where my skills in front-end would allow me the opportunity to create unforgettable web applications that are appealing to a viewer’s eye.” Now you’re not only speaking their language – you’re showing your own ability to fit in and collaborate on their goals.

3. Be eager

Many people see the phone interview as one step among many that will likely not result in a job offer. Someone is bound to get the job, but many lack the confidence that it could actually be them. And it shows. “A lot of times, hiring managers ask us recruiters how [the candidate] [felt] about the interview to gage interest. They would not have to ask us if candidates showed their desire to move forward – it would be implied,” says Anderson. So get excited about the position and show that you will be an enthusiastic part of the team. Ask questions. Show that you’re interested in the company, the culture, the position, and most of all, moving forward. “ALWAYS ask about the next steps – this shows eagerness!” And it might be the very thing that tips the scales in your favor.

Practice and preparation is key for any endeavor. Arming yourself with knowledge, and learning to expound on your skills will position you to ace that next phone interview.