Now that things are starting to slowly open up, hiring managers are more focused on filling new positions. However, many managers are still careful to follow COVID-19 protocols. Therefore, your first opportunity to speak to a hiring manager about a position may be in the form of a phone interview. So how do you make your best impression over the phone? Here are a few tips and tricks to help you get to the next level.

Do your Research

When you first get the call to schedule a phone interview, make sure you know who it is you will be talking to. It may be a manager or the HR Representative for the company. Ask what their name and title is and look them up on the website so you have a full understanding of who will be on the other side of the phone. Next, research the company, go over the job description and make some notes on how you feel you are a good fit according to what they are asking for in the job description. Become familiar with the company’s core values, history, upcoming events, etc.

Secure a Quiet Space

Make sure you are in a quiet place during the interview so there are no distractions due to background noise. Test the area ahead of time for a solid service connection to keep from cutting out. Wearing headphones during the interview may help with both background noise and spotty service issues.

Be Prepared

The difference between an in person interview and an over the phone interview is that you are able to prepare differently. Before the call begins, be sure to have out your resume, job description, company website, questions you want to ask and any other notes that may help you stay on track. Try not to get too distracted reading through everything. Remember, this is just for REFERENCE. You should already be familiar with the material before the interview starts. However, having it available for reference is a good option if you need help staying on track, especially since you are the only one that sees it.

Follow Up

Write a hand written not or email thanking the hiring manager for their time. Following up will keep you in the forefront of their minds when they are planning who to bring in for the next round of interviews. This step is even more important after a phone interview so you don’t end up “out of sight, out of mind”.

While phone interviews can be stressful, they certainly do not have to be. As long as you take the time to prepare and find a quiet space with a strong service connection, you should be confident when the call begins.