Phone Interviews: What Employers Look for and How To Handle the Interview
Phone interviews play a critical role in the job search process. Many employers use them to screen candidates and narrow down their choices to the strongest candidates, at least from the screener's opinion. If you don't get past this step, there isn't much you can do in most cases. Then again, no harm trying other ways if you really want to work there.
Your best strategy is to make sure you do your best when they call. So I've put together some suggestions based on things I learned over my many years both as a successful job candidate and a hiring manager — one who also made many of those screening calls!
Phone interview tips to help you in your job search
Your best strategy for getting to that all-important next step is to be prepared. But what exactly does that mean? It's only a phone call, not the "real" interview. Can't you just put on a phone smile and wing it?
Absolutely not! Your phone interview is as real an interview as any you may experience during the entire job search process. You need to be 100% present and ready to show them a strong snapshot of who you are — as it relates to who they are!
So here are some articles to help you feel more prepared, which also helps you relax into showing them your real self. (That's what they hope to find in that first contact.) I hope after reading at least one or two of them, you'll feel much more familiar with what the employer wants and what YOU can do to maximize your chances of getting to meet them in person.
What You Need To Know When They Call
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What if it's a surprise call and you're not ready?
If it's a surprise call, and you feel you need some time, it's ok to say you are in the middle of something (especially if you are) and ask if it's ok to have them call you back at a set time. You can also simply not answer the phone if you have caller ID, and then use the message they leave to get in touch with them.
CAUTION: Sometimes they don't call back. But if you really are caught up in something that would make it hard, by all means ask to schedule another time.
My best recommendation? Prepare ahead of time, and then do your best when they call — even if it's a surprise.
What Employers Look For In a Screening Phone Interview
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Just so you know…
The length of a phone interview doesn't always tell you whether it was successful. Sometimes the interviewer simply wants to get a quick feel for who you are. But some may probe more deeply, so don't be shocked if it turns into a longer interview-like screening to make sure you really have the skills you say you do.
A short one doesn't mean you're out if the running. And a long one doesn't mean you'll get the in-person interview.
How To Handle Your Initial Phone Interview
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- Before a scheduled phone interview, make sure to get your energy up, even if it just means walking up and down quickly in the room, a few jumping jacks, or listening to music that makes you happy.
- Some people find standing or walking around during the interview helps, but personally I like to settle comfortably in front of a small table where I can easily get to things I need.
- Have your resume handy to refer to if needed. But also review it ahead of time so you know it well and are ready for any questions about it.
What Questions Do Employers Ask in a Phone Interview?
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When I did phone screenings, I liked to double-check (as best as possible in a first-level phone interview) on skills listed on the person's resume that were key to the job description. Are they targeting it to the job based on their REAL skills (a smart thing to do) or is it padded to try to sneak by?
By the way … don't be shy about using transferable skills or listing skills that are perhaps not as strong as they'd ideally want, if you can make a good case for yourself based on the rest of what you have to offer. But you also don't want to create an entire resume based on skills you don't really have.
A few more thoughts
In the end, your success is as much a matter of how well you fit the job (and company culture) as it is how well you did in your phone interview. But even if you have less than every single thing they ideally want, if they get a good feel from you and see enough there to want to know more, you can often make it to the "favorite candidates" pile.
So it pays to take the time to prepare yourself in knowledge of the company, knowledge of yourself, and knowledge of the process. This also helps calm your nerves, so you can be ready to be fully present and handle whatever comes your way when the phone rings. And being yourself, as much as possible, is a great start.
Good luck!
