Hiring Hurdles: Telephone Etiquette

Telephone interviews are a common practice, especially during social distancing. It is a great way for an employer to quickly screen candidates without wasting an entire hour for a formal interview. Even though telephone interviews seem less important and off-the-cuff, it is still a VERY important step in your hiring process. Here is a list of some common interview faux-pas and how to avoid them.

1. Phone Number Not Listed, Listed Incorrectly, or Disconnected.
If you expect to receive a call for an interview, make sure that you have your number listed correctly. The interviewer does not know anything about you, but if they try to contact you and they can't, it starts to set a negative tone. Some job sites are not very friendly when it comes to providing phone numbers, so confirming your correct number with the interviewer when they set your interview time is best. Also, be sure you are somewhere with great cell service, and that your phone is fully charged, and full of minutes.

2. Not Being Prepared
Typically, you know the day and time that a phone interview will take place. The interviewer has most likely reached out to you to make sure that you were available or made you aware that you should be expecting a call. Please, please, PLEASE be away from distractions and actually answer the phone when it rings. Far too many times, I am conducting a phone interview and a candidate is either standing in front of a jet taking off, or at a zoo with a pack of wild animals chasing them. Prepare for this interview as you would a face-to-face interview and place yourself in a quiet, private space so that the interviewer is getting your best answers and full attention.

3.  Unaware of the Position Being Interviewed For
You submitted the application, and accepted the phone interview. At least have the common sense to double check which job opening the interview pertains to. When you ask an interviewer "What position is this for again?", it makes you look like you do not pay attention or do not care about the job. Whether these are true or not, you most likely will not be getting a call back.

4. Not Engaging with the Interviewer
Obviously if you are applying for jobs, than you are interested in landing one. When you are on the phone, do not make it any more impersonal by not paying attention to questions, or giving one word answers. During a phone interview, there is no body language to read, but there is voice inflection. I can tell when you are smiling, and sometimes even when you are lying. I can also tell when you are not paying attention to my questions.

If you want the job, you gotta play the rules, and go through the steps required. Be prepared, be professional, and be genuine. The phone interview will decide whether you have a shot to move on to an in-person interview. You need to bring your A-game, just like you would to an interview in person. So, do your research, put a smile on your face, charge your phone and be ready to rock!

For more tips on how to land your next career, contact us at info@onboardhro.com.