Do These 3 Things to Prepare for Your Phone Interview With a Recruiter
When you are looking for a job, you are often faced with multiple interviews. In some cases, the first can be done over the phone and only take about half an hour. There are many great ways to prepare for a classic face-to-face interview, but what do you do when the person who can move you to the next round (or not) can’t even see you? Here’s how to crush your next phone interview.
Make a cheat sheet
We recommended that you create a cheat sheet for job interviews and job interview questions earlier, but a phone interview is an even better time to create one because you can hold it in front of you without the interviewer even knowing it.
The phone interview, according to Indeed , is meant to narrow down job applicants, so it will likely focus on your most important skills and experience, as well as your availability, desired salary, readiness to relocate (if needed) , and other fundamentals. It is unlikely that you will be asked more general questions about how you work in a team or overcome difficulties, so when you write a cheat sheet, stick to descriptions of your education, experience and standard desires in terms of money, advantages. and culture.
It’s also unlikely to last more than half an hour, so don’t write anything too long. Instead, try to keep it within one page. Consider writing why you want this job, what skills you have that match those listed in the job posting, and what your timeline is for leaving your current position and moving into this one. Read and reread your sheet ahead of time, and once you have a good grasp of the abstract, make any paragraphs bullet points so it doesn’t sound like you’re reading a script.
Conduct a mock interview
If possible, have a friend or family member conduct a mock telephone interview with you so that you are confident in your ability to express what you need to say using this medium. The recruiter will evaluate your communication skills as well as your ability to think on the go, so practice will help you feel more at ease and make you more confident.
Ask your partner to come up with a list of basic questions about your experience and what you’re looking for in a job, but don’t ask them to tell you exactly what they’re going to ask. After you complete the mock interview, ask them for honest feedback. Record yourself too so you can hear where you stumble and where you shine.
Plan ahead
It may seem like a phone interview is less risky than when you have to put on a suit and make a good impression in person, but the initial phone interview is a way to weed out unsuitable candidates, so you’re competing with a lot of people at this stage.
Don’t treat it like any other phone call; plan ahead where you will sit, how you will show others that you are busy , and how you can make sure everything goes smoothly. For example, place your computer charger in advance where you will be sitting and find a quiet place where you know you have a strong cell signal. Even consider changing into something business-like to prepare for the transition into interview mode (when it doesn’t feel like you’re in an interview otherwise). Set aside time on your calendar for this and prepare your location, change of clothes, and necessary accessories and tools in advance. Finally, try to use headphones if possible to minimize the chance of noise or interruptions – just make sure they’re fully charged as well.