Tony (name changed to maintain confidentiality), a senior professional approached me with a challenge that while he was good at handling face-to-face interviews, when it came to telephonic interviews, he would not have a success rate at all.
On speaking with him, I realised that Tony was not preparing well for these telephonic interview calls as he would do for in person interviews.
As a seasoned career coach, I’ve witnessed the transformative power of preparation when it comes to acing telephonic interviews. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a fresh graduate, these five key strategies will set you on the path to success:
1. Do Your Homework:
Before picking up the phone for your telephonic interview, invest ample time in researching the company and the job role. Take notes on why you’re interested in the opportunity, and be prepared to articulate your enthusiasm during the conversation. Employers value candidates who demonstrate genuine interest and understanding of the organization’s goals and values.
2. Craft Your Success Stories:
One of the most effective ways to stand out during a telephonic interview is by sharing compelling success stories that align with the pain points of the job role. Take some time to brainstorm and write down specific examples of challenges you’ve overcome and achievements you’ve made in previous roles. Refer to these stories as needed during the interview to showcase your relevant experience and capabilities.
3. Perfect Your Elevator Pitch:
In the fast-paced world of telephonic interviews, first impressions matter. Prepare a concise and impactful elevator pitch – a 30-second introduction of yourself that highlights your key skills, experiences, and career goals. Practice delivering your pitch until it flows naturally, ensuring that you make a strong impression right from the start.
4. Tone Of Voice & Modulation:
Since during telephonic interviews, the interviewer cannot see you but only hear you, your tone of voice and modulation play an important role in influencing the outcome of the interview. So you need to record your answers on your mobile phone and listen to them as to how you are coming across. Are you coming across confident and clear or coming across as unsure? Practise makes it perfect.
5. Write down pointers:
The biggest advantage telephonic interviews offer vs in-person interviews is that you can write down pointers regarding all the information you collected as well as for all questions that you expect and refer to them during the call itself. So writing down such pointers is extremely helpful.
Bonus Tip: Capture Important Points:
During the telephonic interview, be sure to have a pen and paper handy to jot down any important points mentioned by the interviewer. These could include specific job requirements, company initiatives, or follow-up questions. By capturing these details, you’ll be better prepared for future interviews and can tailor your responses accordingly.
So telephonic interviews offer a convenient and efficient way for employers to screen candidates, but they also present unique challenges for job seekers. By following these five essential tips – conducting thorough research, crafting compelling success stories, perfecting your elevator pitch, practising your voice to sound confident and writing down pointers– you’ll position yourself as a standout candidate capable of excelling in any telephonic interview scenario.
So, the next time you have a phone interview scheduled, approach it with confidence and preparation, knowing that you have the tools to succeed.
P.S: In case you are interested in knowing more about my personalised 1:1 Interview coaching program (with a mock session), please send us a message here: Interview Coaching
Best wishes for a successful career!
Sarabjeet Sachar
Seasoned Career Development & Leadership Coach
Founder & CEO, Aspiration