Telephone interview – course and preparation

• Useful information
• 30.11.2020

Nowadays, conducting an interview is not synonymous with the appearance of a candidate for an office job. We have many more opportunities that recruiters use in their work. So it is not unusual nowadays to interview over the phone or the Internet. How to prepare for a telephone interview with a recruiter? What is worth remembering? We give advice in this article!

Interview by phone – when?

Interview by phone is certainly very convenient – both for the recruiter and for the candidate. We do not have to appear anywhere, we talk anywhere, we do not waste time on commuting, and besides, it can reduce our stress.

However, companies choose such a solution for various reasons – the candidate may come from another city and it is a great convenience for him; this is the first stage of the recruitment process to assist in the selection of candidates; it is a big saving for the company, etc.

Regardless of the reason for the interview with the recruiter, we must remember that we should prepare ourselves as best as possible. What is the advantage of a telephone interview over an in-person interview?

How to prepare for an interview over the phone?

When looking for a job, we need to be aware that a recruiter may call us. So if, for example, we were at work and only after some time we notice a call from an unknown number, do not panic. Let us call you back, the recruiter will probably understand that we do not have a phone number with us 24 hours a day. Most often, however, this conversation is arranged, so we have the opportunity to prepare for it.

An interview by phone certainly has one great advantage – we can conduct it in a place that is comfortable for us, dress comfortably, have a sense of security that will reduce our stress. The recruiter will not know that we are just lying in bed under the blanket with a hot water bottle on our feet. We are more relaxed, which can be a big plus.

Choose the right time

However, if we are aware that we will be interviewed over the phone, let’s mainly remember about one – to make an appointment at a time that is most appropriate for us. The recruiter can offer us the time that falls during our work – do not be afraid to refuse, let’s say that we cannot pick it up at that time and set a different date. It is difficult to talk about a new job when we are in a place that we want to leave. Also, not always others are aware that we are looking for something new. Hiding in corners and talking in a whisper will certainly not do any good. Such a conversation has a big impact on the first impression that the recruiter makes of us. Therefore, it is important to speak clearly, confidently, and not pretend that we are talking to our cousin about family matters.

Prepare yourself as for traditional recruitment

Although we are not seeing the recruiter in person, we cannot ignore this form of recruitment. It is no less important than the live meeting. Therefore, we should prepare for it just as thoroughly. Let’s read everything we can find about the company, make sure how it works, what it works on, what its values ​​are, what it strives for. Let’s check what are the most frequently asked questions during the recruitment process and prepare the answers. Let’s write down the questions we want to ask the recruiter.

We have a comfortable situation where we can write everything down on sheets of paper and reach for them when necessary. Nobody knows if we help each other. Thanks to this, we can be sure that we will not forget anything important.

In addition, it is also worth preparing cards on which we will note what the recruiter says. It’s a good idea to write down the most important information, because while it may seem like we’ll remember everything, the excitement of an interview may make it impossible to do so.

Choose the right place

When you make your appointment a conversation, try to choose a time when you will not be on the bus home or driving. It is important that we can communicate as well as possible, and for that, silence and full concentration will certainly be useful. That is why it is best to choose the time when we are at home.

If we are not alone, let our roommates or family be quiet at a given hour and not enter the room where you are. Try to get the best possible conditions, and if something breaks up, notify your interlocutor about the problems immediately. If, for example, the connection is interrupted, he will know that you will probably call back in a moment.

Charge the battery

It may seem trivial, but in this case, it might just fly out of your head – let’s charge the battery in the phone. If your phone turns off in the middle, finding the charger, plugging it in, turning it back on may take so long that it will only cause a lot of unnecessary stress. Better save yourself if we can do it.

Don’t be too casual

We can feel very comfortable during the recruitment by phone. After all, we are often at home, we wear comfortable clothes, so we forget that we are just applying for a job. Do not eat anything in the process, the meal can certainly wait several minutes, do not chew gum, do not smoke cigarettes, do not allow yourself to be too colloquial. Remember that we work on our image and show our professionalism. Let’s make it audible.

An interview has many advantages, but if approached inappropriately, it can do more harm than good. Therefore, it is worth preparing for it well and showing your professionalism also in such a situation.