Phone Interview Etiquette

As we move towards a more high tech future all the time, phone and web interviews are becoming more and more popular. Why not? They are convenient, can do wonders for a nervous applicant and allow employers to look at twice as many potential employees in half the time. Along with this comes a whole new set of considerations for potential employees. How do you navigate these types of interviews properly?

Here are some phone interview etiquette tips for those that are not familiar:

Keep your information handy - When you interview on the phone, you should have your resume in your lap or on the desk in front of you. Don’t leave it in a file, across the hall or anywhere else. You don’t get to put your potential employer on hold.

Ditch the cell phone - Bad connections, funky ringtones, dead batteries and similar problems can all be avoided by using the good old fashioned landline. Don’t risk it with a cell phone.

Get rid of your interruptions - If you have the ability to turn off your call waiting, do so. Make sure kids and other distractions are in another room and that you are totally freed up to deal exclusively with the interview. The last thing you or they will want is interruptions.

Write everything down - If you have it in writing in front of you, repeated questions will be unnecessary. Nobody likes to repeat themselves over and over again. As they give you pertinent information, take notes as you go.

Know what you want to ask as well - If you have questions you want answers to, have them written down as well. Trying to remember them last minute is always irritating for you and the interviewer.

Speak clearly and don’t eat anything - If you are slurping on a milkshake while you try to phone interview or crunching potato chips, you are not going to get the majority of jobs. Leave the snacks for later.

Finally, dress the part - This is common sense if you are having a video phone interview, but it holds true even when you are doing a straight phone call interview. Why? Your attitude, demeanor and tempo will be different if you are dressed for success. If you are sitting there in your Superman pajamas discussing the ability to sell life insurance to professionals, somehow I think they will know. Put on a suit or at least some nice casual clothes folks.

Phone interview etiquette is much like any other type of interview. Treat it professionally and with respect and prepare beforehand, and you will be just fine.

Do you have any tips to add?