Following the pandemic, more and more companies have adapted their recruitment process, including using telephone interviews as a way to screen candidates. This can seem a daunting concept, particularly if you are someone who thrives from face-to-face conversations. However, on the whole, telephone interviews can be treated in the same way as face-to-face interviews.
Here are some of our do’s and don’ts…

DO your research:
This is probably the most important piece of advice for any job interview. As much as you need to know about the company that you could potentially be working for, they will want to see that you have researched them too.

Take this time to learn about the company’s values, their products and services and even their company culture. You can do this by visiting their website, reading their blogs (if they have them) and even having a look at their social media channels.

You could also Google the company’s name to see whether there is any positive or negative press. This could be regarding expansions or even something less positive.

DON’T treat it any differently to an in-person interview:
A telephone interview may FEEL different to a face-to-face one, but ultimately, they are one in the same. It is always a good idea to dress as if it were an in-person interview to get you into the interview mindset, even if the employer can’t see you.

DO smile (and put on a brave face!):
Although the employer can’t see you, they will be able to sense your facial expressions through the phone – trust us! Putting on a smiling brave face will enable you to come across confidently to the employer, which they will like.

DON’T interrupt the Hiring Manager:
Although this can be more difficult over the phone than in-person, always allow the interviewer to finish their sentence before you begin to answer their questions. To avoid this it’s usually best to wait for a small pause or conversational gap, but try not to leave the silence for too long!

DO listen:
You should listen during a telephone interview as you would in an in-person one. Be sure to take every element of their question into consideration and answer them as thoroughly and in-depth as possible.

DON’T sound bored or distracted:
It can sometimes be difficult to remain focused during a telephone conversation, so it’s important to remove all distractions from your surroundings. This means put your laptop away, turn off the television and shut yourself in a quiet room away from other members of your household.

DO have a list of questions to ask the Hiring Manager
As we always say, an interview works two ways. This is the perfect time for you to find out everything that you want to know about the role, the company and the employer. Take the time at the end to ask your own questions as an opportunity to learn about the company’s growth, structure, culture and values.

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