Skills for Interviewing

Phone Interviewing

Phone interviews are often scheduled as a pre-screening interview, prior to selecting candidates for an on-site visit. Treat the phone interview with as much preparation as you would a face-to-face interview.

In order to understand how to prepare for a telephone interview, you need to understand the actual differences between a phone interview, and a face-to-face interview. The primary difference is the loss of certain senses. It is important to consider how to compensate for the senses that will be lost during a phone interview.

Sight

In a face-to-face interview, the tone is often set by what you can see. It is said that nearly 90% of communication is non-verbal. If that is true, you are only able to rely upon 10% of your potential ability to communicate effectively. For instance, what the interviewer looks like and what he or she is wearing can greatly influence the tone of an interview. In addition, non-verbal cues are visible and often obvious. During a telephone interview, however, you cannot use any of the non-verbal cues as they do not exist.

Hearing

While you will still be able to hear over the phone, the tones and clarity may not be the same as they would face-to-face. In addition, the use of a speakerphone may also cause hearing clearly to be more difficult.

Touch

A first impression is made in a face-to-face interview beginning with the handshake. While the touch may be subtle, it is an important part of the impression an interviewee makes. Over the phone, there is no opportunity to shake hands; therefore the potential impact of this ritual disappears.

Tips for successful phone interviewing

• If you have call-waiting, disable it prior to the interview
• Do not use a cordless phone unless necessary
• Do not use a cell phone unless necessary
• Ensure that you are in a secure and private location
• Consider dressing up as it may be easier for you to think and sound more professional if you are dressed professionally
• Knowing that you will be deprived of at least two senses, you must listen very carefully
• Take notes as needed during the interview
• Be sure to enunciate your words very carefully
• Keep the pace of your speech slow as rapid speech is magnified over the phone