7 Phone Interview Tips to Help Stand Out and Land the Job!

23 Mar 7 Phone Interview Tips to Help Stand Out and Land the Job!

Interviews are stressful enough! You’re meeting new people, trying to be authentic as well as impressive, hoping to get a second or third look before ultimately landing a job. Everything is stressful about interviews, from deciding what to wear to not looking too nervous when meeting with the hiring manager. 

But a phone interview is a whole different level. The person you’re talking to might not be able to see your face or read your reactions as clearly as they would if you were sitting in the same room. 

Fear not! Here are some tips for standing out in your phone interview and improving your chances of getting that job! 

1. Be prepared with information about the company and why you feel you’re a good fit.

Doing your homework before an interview can make all the difference. Have some talking points are written down before you, things that struck you as interesting about the company, something you liked or want to learn more about. Do the same with the position for which you’re interviewing: Ask what the person in this position can expect on a typical day how many people they’ll work with regularly. Be prepared to relay some of your work and life experiences and help make you a good candidate for the job and the team. If you really want to be impressive, have some notes ready about what competitors are doing or what you’ve liked about the company’s actions in the past year. It shows you’re paying attention and going the extra mile to be prepared. 

2. Toot your own horn.

Inevitably, you’ll be asked about times you were successful at work. Because you’ll be on the phone and not sitting in front of the interviewer, put some time into thinking about your answers and have examples ready. You won’t have to stumble and try to think something up on the fly; you can have on hand several anecdotes prepared to share that make you look really good. Talk about projects you’ve led, successes you’ve had, and ways in which you’ve led teams or made big contributions to projects. Show how you’ve been valuable in the past to suggest how you can add to their team in the future. 

3. Relay information from your resume.

You know your work history, the jobs you’ve had, and the places you’ve been. But can you translate, with precision, how those experiences have led you to this great new job you’re trying to secure? Keep your resume handy during the interview and provide examples, as the opportunity presents itself, to reference specific skills you’ve picked up from your work history. Weave a vibrant story of your own life and show how all of this adds to you being the best candidate for the job. 

4. Be an active listener.

Much like conversations with your friends, be attentive to the interviewer. Some of what they might be asking you, or trying to ascertain about your personality and your work history, could be left unsaid, meaning you might have to read between the lines to provide the information they’re after. Ask questions if the opportunity presents itself to get additional information or clarification about the job, the company, or the team you’d be joining. An interview is another kind of conversation, and the best conversationalists are the ones who know when to add to a story, know when to listen and when to ask for more. 

5. Remember: This is still a professional conversation.

Even if this is a “traditional” phone call, not a video call, make sure you’re dressed for an in-person interview (this means no sweats!). Find a quiet place, without any distractions, for the call and make sure your phone is fully charged and has good reception. If you have roommates or other people in your home, make sure they know the time of the interview and ask them to please be considerate so you can focus. Have a glass of water nearby in case your mouth gets dry but don’t keep any food within reach to avoid temptation. Mentally prepare and get in the zone for the interview before it happens, so you’re in the right mindset for the interview when the time comes. 

6. Ask about what comes next.

If the job is something you’re excited about and it feels like things are going well, ask the person doing the interview what the next steps are and confirm their timeline. Ask what the hiring process typically entails for the company — will there be multiple rounds of interviews or just one? Will you hear back in a week, or will it take longer? Show that you’re interested and eager to join the team and that you want to understand the timeline, so you don’t make assumptions. You don’t want to call the next day to ask where things stand, especially if it could be days or weeks before your next interaction. 

7. Send a thank you note.

Whether it’s a handwritten card or a short email, take the time to thank the interviewer for their time within 24 hours of the phone call. They’re juggling interviews in addition to their regular responsibilities and took time out of their day to meet with you. Thank them for doing that and for the opportunity to learn more about the job, the company, and them. You might want to offer to provide any additional information they need or to answer any questions that might come up. Be courteous, polite, and appreciative. Sometimes a thank you email can be the difference between getting the job and getting tossed aside. 

The interview process can be long and stressful, but a phone interview could be the start of a great new career! Be prepared, and you’ll be impressed. 

Stand Out in Your Next Interview

If you’re still trying to find new opportunities, call LeadingEdge Personnel. We partner with great companies looking for candidates just like you for permanent and temporary jobs, and they’ll be eager to learn about you. Call LeadingEdge today, and let’s get started!