The telephone interview has become an increasingly important and necessary process for most employers in recent years. It’s a great, low-cost way of assessing whether or not you’re right for the job.

So, let’s take look at some tips you should consider in case you find yourself at the other end of an employer’s telephone line.

• At the beginning of the call ask about the interview structure – this will allow you know what’s coming next. If it is a long interview, it might be an idea to keep a glass of water nearby to prevent your voice from becoming dry.
• Test the line and ask if the interviewer can hear you clearly.
• Make sure you have your CV in front of you, so you have a quick reference to your qualifications and personal skills.
• It might be a good idea to do some research on the company and prepare a list of questions to have on hand.
• Smile! Although this might seem like a weird one, your vocal chords change when you smile and it will also make you feel a lot more relaxed. After all, it’s your voice which will ultimately create an impression so it’s important to consider your tone, pace, and diction.
• Think about using a headset – this will allow you to have both hands free so that you can make notes, as well as write and produce answers quickly.
• Try and eliminate any background noise by making sure you find a quiet space so your surroundings will not disturb or hinder your concentration, as well as the phone call.
• Remember to not let questions fluster you. If perhaps a question may seem irrelevant, try not to display any irritation in your voice, the interviewer will quickly pick-up on this.
• Never interrupt the interviewer and always try and attempt more than just a yes or no answer.
• Try and avoid long pauses, periods of silence and repeating yourself.
• As you can’t read the body language of the interviewer, or judge their reaction, it is important to sound enthusiastic. Therefore you could ask and say “is that all you need to know, is this sufficient etc…”
• At the end of the interview remember to thank the interviewer and state that you can provide more information if need be.
• Take notes of what you have said and perhaps follow this up with a letter confirming the interview took place – this will again demonstrate your enthusiasm and you could be the only one to do this!

Above all, a telephone interview could make or break your chance of a job, so should never be considered lightly – you could be speaking to your future boss after all!