How to Succeed at Over-the-Phone Interviews

If you’re applying for internships, there’s a good chance you’re going to need to do a phone interview. Even though you won’t be sitting in front of a person, phone interviews should be treated as importantly as in-person interviews. Follow these tips to make sure you ace your next phone interview!

Find a quiet place to do your interview.

There’s nothing worse than trying to do an interview somewhere loud. You can’t hear the interviewer, the interviewer can’t hear you, and who knows what’s going on in the background? Find somewhere where you won’t be distracted by anything around you, whether it’s people, technology, or something else. You can also put a note on your door so people don’t come in unexpectedly.

Have a copy of your documents with you.

Make sure you have a copy of your resume, cover letter, and job description in front of you while you do the interview. This will help avoid awkward umming and ahhing when asked questions about specifics on your resume. Having a list of topics you’d like to cover, or questions you’d like to ask the interviewer can help make the interview run more smoothly. 

Dress up like you’re actually going to the interview.

Get out of those pajamas and get into those business clothes. As ridiculous as it sounds, dressing up as would if you’d be attending the interview in person can help with your interview mindset. Dressing professionally will improve your responses; when people interview wearing casual clothes, their responses tend to be more relaxed and unprofessional.

Photo by Kyle Biller