The 7 Deadly Phone Interview Sins; Are you guilty?

Congratulations! You have been successful in gaining a telephone interview with your potential new employer and now it’s time to prepare. Telephone interviews can be tricky because you can’t rely on visual cues during the interview.

So while it may have been your qualifications and experience that landed you the interview it will be your communication skills during the interview that leaves the organisation with that lasting impression.

As hiring managers we find that many candidates sabotage their chances of a successful interview because they are not prepared and leave a less than positive first impression. So to help you, we have put together seven deadly phone interview sins to avoid:

• Unorganised: Be ready for your interview; know the time, date, duration and who the interviewer is. Also don’t forget to ensure you have sufficient reception and charge on your mobile phone prior to the interview commencing. Ensure you phone is not on silent to avoid missing the phone call.
• Tardiness: Timing is everything, so make sure you are in a quiet location 10 minutes prior to the interview allowing enough time to review your notes and de-stress prior to the interview.
• Complacency: Research the organisation to understand who they are, what their values are and what the job entails. Revisit your own resume and have relevant work examples. Feel free to have a note pad and some notes in front of you as prompts.
• Insecurity: Be confident in yourself as a potential employee, engage with the interviewer by providing confident and well delivered answers. Try not to pause for too long prior to answering the question as the interviewer cannot see your body language so it may appear that you are unsure.
• Silence: The interview is your opportunity to shine and demonstrate your interest in and awareness of the organisation. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and have a genuine conversation with the interviewer. Try to avoid a discussion about remuneration or rates, this is best left to us to negotiate on your behalf.
• Obliviousness: Remember to actively listen to what the interviewer is saying and don’t cut them short or speak over the top. Answer the questions directly and succinctly. Stick to the point and never reply with a simple yes or no answer.
• Nervousness: The interviewer will be listening to the tone and pitch of your voice while assessing your communication skills. Try to relax and not let your nerves get in the way.

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