The phone rings. It’s not your pizza delivery but the first step to landing your next job.

But before you ask for extra pepperoni, it pays to take a phone interview seriously – it can be the most important part of the job search process.

And if you’re looking for a job in a sector where phone skills are much prized – it’s the ideal way to shine right from the start.

So here are our top tips to mastering that first phone interview.

 

Pick a good time

Sometimes a recruiter might catch you on the hop but usually phone calls are scheduled like any other interview. Keep distractions to a minimum: turn the TV off, put the dog in the garden and ensure the kids are at school. Find a comfortable space with a landline or a good mobile service. Getting out of your pyjamas is a good start as it helps give you a professional persona.

 

Don’t multi-task

It sounds obvious but stick to the job in hand and maintain your focus. Behave as you would in an office-based setting, so don’t check your emails or stick a casserole in the oven as you’re speaking.

 

Have a cheat sheet

Doing a phone interview is a bit like taking your textbooks into an exam room. You can have potential questions and answers written out in front of you to glance at when needed. Have a notepad and pen to hand to jot down anything important to bring up during the conversation. You can even have big signs in front of you saying: “Don’t panic! Speak slowly! Say thank you!”

 

Control your voice

You can’t wow an interviewer with your smile so you need to convey enthusiasm and professionalism using your voice. If you’re a fan of the ‘umm’, try to keep this to a minimum by using a short pause instead. A monotone, dull conversation isn’t going to win over anyone so add emphasis where possible. Speaking while standing up can add an air of confidence to speech as your body posture impacts your voice and audio tone.

 

Seal the deal

Don’t end the call feeling left in the dark about the interview process so be sure to ask what happens next. Also ask if they need anything further from you and whether you’ll hear back quickly.

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