Charlotte Grainger 
Ring, ring! New career calling! Are you ready to set a winning tone?
Body language, appearance, attire ‒ the importance of good physical projection when meeting any would-be employer can't be overstated. But what if, with the push of a few buttons and a jingling of your ringtone, these visible attributes were suddenly irrelevant? With pre-interview phone screenings growing in popularity, that's precisely what's happening. So, how to prepare for a telephone interview? Read on to find out.
Tip 1: treat it as any other interview
The first of our telephone interview tips will help steer your prep in the right direction. With no need to leave the house, dress to impress, or even tame your bedhead, it's easy to find yourself thinking "This phone call tomorrow isn't a real interview." Wrong!
Telephone interviews may feel less formal, but if you're going to stand any chance of progressing in the selection process, you need to hit the ground running and complete your usual interview preparation. This means looking up the company, its values and history, as well as the specific requirements of the role you're pursuing.
Be ready to answer the basic interview questions: why you want the position, what you would bring to the role, your strengths and your weaknesses, and everything else you'd expect an employer to ask.
Tip 2: practise your responses
If you're not used to the phone interview format, get some practice under your belt before the big day. Brush up on your communication skills with a few lengthy conversations before the interview.
Try your best to avoid monosyllabic answers. Instead, consciously craft fuller and more thoughtful responses. A sophisticated vocabulary will always impress an interviewer, but you can't beat clear, concise language – especially over the phone where expression-aiding physical gestures aren't an option.
Practise your articulation of keywords relevant to the job opportunity and don't be afraid to ask for the other side's appraisal. Best to know you're a mumbler before a make-or-break telephone interview!
Tip 3: keep your notes handy
Did you know there's one big advantage of having a telephone interview? It's invisible. Free of the interviewer's withering stare, you can keep all your research notes handy.
Make sure you've assembled all the information into easily articulated chunks though ‒ even the most inexperienced employer can tell when they're being read a spiel straight from the page and that will do little to impress.
It's also worth keeping a copy of your CV and completed application form nearby ‒ a phone interviewer is likely to reference your earlier responses or quiz you on experience.
Finally, a blank sheet of paper and pen are also worthy companions. Jotting down any ideas and questions that you have will help to keep your mind clear.
Tip 4: choose your setting carefully
Another great benefit afforded by the telephone interview is its flexibility in location. Assuming you have a decent signal on your phone, you can quite literally take the call from wherever you want! There are a few key criteria for finding the best spot, though.
First and foremost, pick somewhere quiet. If you're missing every second word over the noise of the cafe's cash register clanging shut, you're unlikely to leave the best impression.
It's also important that you find somewhere you feel comfortable and relaxed enough to take the call, but not overly so. Laying in your bed, while comfortable, is likely to hinder your projection of professionalism. Instead, try a light and airy living room where you feel at ease but also fizzling with energy.
Tip 5: project your voice… and listen
A telephone interview is likely to be your first direct contact with the company you're keen to join. Unlike conventional interviews, where first impressions rely on how you present yourself in person, on the phone, your voice is your main asset.
The key is to speak authoritatively, but not aggressively. You're certainly not looking to convey a domineering tone, but you also don't want to come over as lacking in confidence.
Imagine you're a lecturer standing in front of a class of mature students: speak with clarity and assuredness, but avoid any hint of condescension.
The importance of listening carefully cannot be understated either. Even if the interviewer can't see you, gazing out of the window or glancing through a magazine will keep you from being present. Instead, jot down notes on the questions and begin formulating sensible responses.
Tip 6: smile!
You can hear a smile in someone's voice. A study led by a team from the Institute for Research and Coordination in Acoustics/Music in Paris found that smiling produces specific changes in our voice, which listeners can detect and even respond to. With that in mind, make sure you smile during your telephone interview. This small yet impactful tip may help you to get the interviewer on your side from the start.
Showing that you're a happy and confident professional will help you get ahead of the competition. This is a quick way to show that you're a good cultural fit for the role.
Ace that telephone interview!
Preparing for a phone interview doesn't have to be stressful. Follow the tips in this guide, and you'll be setting yourself up for success. Remember, just because it's over the phone doesn't make it any less important. Plan ahead, do your research, and treat it with the same professionalism as an in-person interview.
Chances are your CV has already secured you a phone interview. But to keep standing out, it needs to be tailored to the next vacancy on your list. Get a free CV review to make sure yours is up to par.
This blog was originally written by Alasdair Lane and has been updated by Charlotte Grainger.