Phone interviews are very common for information technology jobs. Many companies will conduct a phone screen to weed out candidates prior to an in-person interview. It is important to make a good impression during the phone screen in order to move forward in the interview process. These tips and tricks for a successful technical phone interview will help you ace the phone interview and land a face to face interview.
Sit at your computer with your resume open. It is likely that the person interviewing you will reference your resume. Make sure to have your resume open on the screen so that you can refer to it as well when answering questions. Although it is a great reference, do not rely too much on your resume while talking about your work experience. Do not just read things off your resume, show your confidence and expertise by talking genuinely about what you have to offer.
Close your email, Facebook, and instant messengers. The last thing you want during a phone interview is to be distracted. Close all unnecessary applications to avoid the temptation to take a peak during your interview. Also remember to mute your computer so there are not any background noises to distract either you or the interviewer. Refrain from typing while the interviewer is talking. This could give them the impression that you aren’t paying attention.
Have a glass of water handy. When you get nervous your mouth can go dry. Make sure to keep a glass of water nearby in case you need it. If you do need to take a sip, keep the phone next to your ear but move the mouth piece away from your mouth. Your interviewer does not need to hear drinking noises during the phone interview.
Do not interrupt. Interrupting your interviewer is never good, whether you are having a face to face interview or a phone interview. On the phone it can be especially challenging because you do not see the body language of your interviewer. Listen carefully to the sound of the interviewer’s voice in order to judge when it is appropriate to start talking.
Avoid yes or no answers. Even if a questions seems like a simple answer would be appropriate, elaborate. This is your chance to show off how much you know and how perfect you would be for a position. If there is a highlight in your career that you want to show off, work it into the conversation. Never let your answer be anything less than 10 words.
Smile and use your hands. Pretend that the person you are speaking with is in front of you. Your voice will sound more confident and friendlier if you are speaking in a natural way. If you feel more comfortable standing, go ahead and stand up and walk around a bit. Do whatever it takes to feel comfortable as long as it doesn’t cause background noise.
Use the phone interview to screen the company. A technical phone interview is also a good chance for you to get a basic idea of the job, the company, and the culture. Prepare some questions in advance to get a better idea if the job is a good fit for you.
