While you’re job hunting you’re going to be asked for a phone interview at some stage.

Whether it’s by a recruiter or a hiring manager, it’s going to happen. In fact it’ll happen multiple times.

A phone interview done well, is a great way for you to move to the next stage of the hiring process, so here’s how to perform well over the phone.

Keep in mind that a phone interview is a stepping stone to getting you in for a face to face interview.

When you’re asked for a phone interview, your goal for the interview is to be asked to go to the next step in the hiring process.

If you’re successful in that, the phone interview has done it’s job and you’ve performed well.

So keep that firmly in mind. It’s a stepping stone to the next step in the hiring process, so think about how to perform well before you get on the phone.

Sometimes a recruiter or hiring manager will call out of the blue and ask to interview you there and then.

Sometimes they give you notice and arrange a call with you at a certain date or time.

Either way, it’s a good idea to make sure you’ve done your homework first.

So if you’ve never done it, and to prepare yourself for the phone call, record yourself talking to someone while you’re on the phone.

Then consider how you sound. Do you mumble a bit? Or is your voice clear and easy to understand? Do you talk too fast, or maybe too slow?

You ideally want to come across as conversational, not talk to fast or too slow and speak clearly.

And the secret ingredient is to smile while you’re on the phone. When you smile, you feel good and come across as friendly. The person you’re speaking to will pick that up and respond positively to you.

So, once you’re happy with how you sound over the phone, here’s what to do while you’re on the phone.

Be friendly and engaging.

Smile while you’re on the phone. You’ll feel more relaxed and confident and the person you’re speaking to will pick up on that.

Make sure you don’t talk too fast or slow and talk clearly, don’t let yourself mumble.

Answer the questions you’re asked clearly and concisely. Don’t waffle.

If you need to, think for a second or so before you answer a question to get your thoughts clearly in your mind, then answer the question.

As I said, you don’t want to waffle, but on the other hand, try to stay away from one-word answers too, unless the question warrants one.

The interviewer is getting to know you. They want to find out more about who you are and what you know, so elaborate as much as you need to to answer a question well, without rambling.

Communicate you have the right skills and experience.

A great way to do this is to use the key words the employer used in their ad, in your answers to questions you’re asked.

The interviewer will be looking at your resume while they’re speaking to you so engage them in what you know and how well suited you are to the job.

Keep in mind that the interviewer will most likely want to go more in depth into what you’ve put in your resume so be ready to answer questions around what you’ve put in it.

So there are a few tips on how to do well in a phone interview.

Above all, keep in mind that an interview is a sales presentation.

Even if you know nothing about sales, all you need to focus on is what the interviewer is looking for.

They’re looking for the best person for the job, so explain to them why you’re that person.

You only need to impress the interviewer enough so they want to move you to the next stage of the hiring process, which is most likely a face to face interview.

Of course, the easiest way to breeze through a phone or face to face interview is when the employer knows you’re a great candidate for the job.

The easiest way to make sure that’s the case is to use Connectzapp to find your next job.

When you enter the details of the role you’re after, employers can see you’re a great match for the role so they want to speak to you.

So make your job hunting easy, get Connectzapp on the App Store or Google Play or go to Connectzapp.com

Lastly, if you’ve found this helpful, please give it a clap.

Good luck with your job hunting!