top of page
Writer's pictureJen Gill, LDO

Stand Out From the Crowd: The Essential Guide to Nailing Your Phone Interviews


When nailing your phone interviews, there are specific steps you can take to ensure you stand out from the crowd and make a great impression. From being prepared and organized to knowing the right questions to ask and displaying positivity and confidence, there are many vital elements to consider. This essential guide will provide you with all the information you need to ace your phone interviews to have the best chance of landing the job of your dreams. With the proper guidance and preparation, you can make sure you make a lasting impression and stand out from the competition.

Preparation Tips for Phone Interviews

Before you sit down for your phone interviews, ensure you are as prepared as possible. You can do several things to ensure your phone interviews go smoothly and successfully. From researching the company and role and researching the specific position you are pursuing, preparation will help you stand out from the crowd and have a better chance of landing the job.


First, prepare yourself for being on the phone for lengthy periods. While calling people may seem short, it can get tiresome and take time and effort to reach out frequently. Consider making a schedule to take care of this. Ensure you have a comfortable place to sit and wait for your call.


If you are trying to interview while doing other tasks, getting distracted and losing focus can be easy. Try to find a quiet place where you can sit comfortably and avoid any other distractions so you can stay focused and on point. When doing your interview, ensure you are relaxed and prepared. Be ready to answer any questions the interviewer may ask you, remain upbeat throughout the process, and stay focused on the goal of the interview.


Remember that you are conducting a discussion, not a “chat” or “conversation.” Be respectful and formal when talking to the interviewer, and stay focused on the goals of the interview. When completing your interview, imagine yourself in the interviewer’s shoes and what you want to hear and see from the interview experience. This can help you keep your focus and stay in a positive mindset as you conduct the interview.

Understanding the Interview Process

Before you begin your phone interviews, you want to understand the entire process and how to succeed in each step. A job search is a long and often cumbersome process. Here are some essential things to remember as you move through this process and successfully land the job of your dreams:


  • First and foremost, remember that you are interviewing for a job and not asking for a date. While interviews are similar to a date, you want to show off your skill, not your dating potential😜

  • Make sure to have a solid resume ready for any potential hiring managers to see. Ensure you include all the relevant information, including your skills, experience, and education. If you conduct an online interview, double-check that your resume and cover letter are sent to the hiring manager’s inbox. Please make your resume match the job expectations for which you are applying, and you express it verbally in the phone interview.

  • Follow up after each interview with an email summarizing the experience and thanking the interviewer for the opportunity.

  • Use career websites, job boards, and other resources to stay updated on the latest job openings.

  • Schedule your interviews during off-hours, so you don’t get distracted while trying to make ends meet. Do not do the after-work interviews; those will be the only days you will get held up.

  • Practice talking to your friends and family about what they want to hear in an interview. What are the things they would like to know?

Researching the Company and Role

Once you have found a potential job you would like to pursue, the first step is researching the company and role. Try to see as much information about the company and position as possible, including but not limited to: the company’s history, what they do, whom they serve, and its financial information. When researching the company, try to find as much information as possible about the company’s executives, management team, and other decision-makers.


Try to find out what their backgrounds are, what their job titles are, and what their responsibilities are. Now that you have done some initial research on the company and role, it is time to start doing in-depth research on yourself. Start by creating a list of all the most vital skills you feel and ask yourself the following questions: What are my most critical skills? What are my weaknesses? How does my experience relate to the job?

Being Positive and Confident

These days, it is all about being authentic, genuine, and honest when applying for jobs. As with job searching, you must be confident and faithful to succeed in any field. Try to be as truthful and accurate as possible when applying for jobs. If you have a skill or weakness that could hurt your chances of getting the job, don’t hide it. Instead, be upfront with the interviewer and explain why you might not fit the job best. Keep a positive mindset throughout the application process; do not let setbacks get you down. Try to stay positive, genuine, and accurate when applying for jobs. This could make a massive difference in your job search.

Answering Popular Interview Questions

As you progress in the job search, you will be asked many questions during interviews. It would be best if you were prepared for all these questions and could answer them quickly. Some of the most common interview questions include the following: What kind of job are you looking for? What are some of the challenges you may experience in this role? What was your biggest challenge, and how did you overcome it? What are some of the biggest challenges facing your industry or company? How would you solve these challenges? Try to stay on your toes and be ready for any of these questions that may come up during the interview. It is also essential to remember that hiring managers only sometimes ask these questions. They are just popular among job seekers.

Asking the Right Questions

When asking the right questions during phone interviews, you want to ask questions that show you are genuinely interested in the job and company and want to know more. Try to avoid “stranger” questions and, instead, keep your questions focused on the role and company. For example, if you are interviewing with a company that deals with healthcare, try to keep your questions focused on this topic. This can help you show that you are genuinely interested in the role and company and will help you stand out. Some of the most common questions to ask during a phone interview:


How do you define success in this role?

What attracted you to this company/field?

What are my opportunities for growth with this company?

How is feedback given?

What do you enjoy about this company?

What kind of training will be provided?

Following Up After the Interview

Once you have landed the job of your dreams, you will want to follow up with a thank you note and a description of your accomplishments. First, you want to thank the hiring manager, summarizing the interview and thanking them for the opportunity. In your thank your email, try to make sure you include the following:

How you heard about the company, and why are you interested in the job What you liked most about the company, and what you thought would be challenging What advice do you have for future applicants about how to best prepare for the interview Any questions you had during the interview Any other information that you think would help the hiring manager better view you as a candidate Following up with the employer is essential if you don't receive any response after sending a thank you email. This will help you stay on the right track toward landing your dream job. With these tips, your employment path is bound to be successful. Best of luck!


留言


bottom of page