RING RING RIIIIIIIING. You should probably answer that; it’s your next big opportunity calling. Are you ready?
Let’s talk about phone interviews. Phone interviews are probably going to be the most common interview format you will experience these days. Likely, you won’t have an “in-person” encounter until you’ve made it to the final round or close. Obviously, you should prepare for the business conversation by doing your research on the company, position, team, etc. but there are a few other things you should consider.
I sat down with Protis Global’s Talent Attraction Manager, Lars Miller, to discuss a few tips as well as common mistakes he regularly sees made. Lars conducts and reviews phone interviews all day long so he definitely knows a thing or two about the little things that seem small but make a big impact!
These seem obvious, but TRUST US, they matter!
This is key for all interviews, every single time.
Make sure you know what the company does, how they do it, and who is responsible for the major buckets. Ensure you are well aware of who you are interviewing with and the role they will play in your potential day to day at the company,
Also, make sure you know about YOUR resume.
And take notes. One of the BIGGEST potential advantages of a phone interview is that you can have notes and your own resume directly in front of you. This is major.
Lars says, “Despite what you may think, the phone picks up more than just your voice.”
Yes, we can hear the TV. Yes, we can hear your dog barking. Yes, we can hear the baby crying. Yes, we can hear you honking your horn.
AND PLEASE DO NOT BE IN YOUR CAR OR COMMUTING!
But not too much.
Lars’ pro tip is to smile when you are speaking! He says to “try it out at least during your introduction. As weird as that sounds, you can literally hear someone smiling on the phone.” It gets you in the right mindset and reminds you that the way you come off is still key even on the phone.
But not too much. Phone interviews are easy to get lost in and even zone out for a quick moment. An easy way to combat the “haze” is to pace some. This is similar to how many people naturally speak on the phone so it will keep you engaged and potentially in a more natural and comfortable zone
It’s very unfortunate when connectivity is a battle in a phone interview. You want your interviewer to think only of what you’re saying and now of external factors.
Ensure that before you answer the phone, you have no issues with signal strength, network capabilities, or battery drainage.
We know these seem simple, and they are. These are simply things to keep in mind to ensure your business conversation goes smoothly. If you are looking for help, tips, and tricks for how to ACE the interview, check out Protis Global Partner and Managing Director of FMCG Mike Bitar here and be sure to send us your comments and any additional questions you may have – we’d love to talk to you!
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