What are the Best Telephonic Interview Tips?

The best telephonic interview tips for job applicants can be summed up as presenting a professional, mature attitude as well as expressing clear knowledge and a compatibility with the particular company's culture. The tone of voice the interviewee uses is extremely important to the interviewer, as he or she doesn't have body language to go on as in the case of an in-person job interview. A professional, yet friendly tone for both the interviewee and the interviewer is best. Just as in a face-to-face interview, the most successful applicants of a telephonic interview are able to communicate to the interviewer that their knowledge and skills are the most relevant to the position.

Preparing for a phone interview is crucial since the applicant can often anticipate at least some of the questions the interviewer is likely to ask. Thinking about what exactly the company is looking for and practicing how to express it out loud may greatly help a job candidate prepare for a telephonic interview. Having prepared notes that are easy to read in point form is one of the best telephonic interview tips as this can help the interviewer focus if he or she becomes at a loss for words after being asked a certain question by the interviewer. Thinking ahead of what to say during any long pauses that may end up occurring in the interview and keeping these comments in point form by the telephone can not only be successful for the interviewee, but also the interviewer.

It's important to remember that a telephonic interview is often the first part of the interviewing process. If candidates don't make a good impression over the telephone, they aren't likely to be chosen for the next, typically in-person, interview. Practicing possible interview answers ahead of time out loud without saying "ummmm" or "errrr" is one of the most helpful telephonic interview tips for job candidates, as this accomplishment can create the impression of good communication skills as well as confidence.

Taking a moment to think about what the interviewer is actually asking before jumping in and answering the question in a babbling manner is another crucial telephonic interview tip. Interrupting the interviewer is even worse, as he or she has only the job candidate's voice to go on and nothing else, so this behavior should definitely be avoided by the interviewee. Other necessary telephonic interview tips that are often forgotten by job applicants include being on time for the phone appointment, having a quiet background during the call and not eating or drinking, except for a few sips of water if needed.