7 worst mistakes to avoid during a phone interview (+ bonus tips)

Times are changing: more and more companies are using phone interviews to make a first selection among candidates, before moving on to the in-person interview stage. 

This intermediate step allows recruiters to assess quickly your personality and motivation. You will probably be caught off guard when you receive this unexpected call, but beware ... The slightest mistake may exclude you from the recruitment process. 

Here is the list of 7 mistakes people make every day. Take notice and try avoiding them. 

1. Letting yourself be destabilized 
Do not be put down when dealing with a person who might sound difficult to reach or a slightly stand-offish. If you are told ‘not now', ask when the best time to call back is. Insist while remaining very professional in your words: ‘Can you tell me when Ms. Y will be available?’ Show your motivation and determination. 

2. Waiting too long before calling back 

If the company left a message, don’t wait three days before calling again: it’s not a flirt! Call back as soon as you can, being sure to have all the information in mind - the name of the person who contacted you, the position for which you applied, etc.

3. Not remembering the company 

If you have applied massively lately and sending out your applications left and right, you did the right thing but you may be a little confused when a recruiter contacts you unexpectedly. But ‘Which company are you from?’ or ‘What was the job?’ are the phrases to refrain from. 

To never be taken aback and keep your ideas clear, keep an Excel document on hand with a list of all the job offers you have applied for, the status of your application and some information about the job offered and the company it offers. 

4. Having poor phone connection 

Background noise (you’re at the cafe), bad network (you’re on the train), and distraction (you’re driving)... Nothing like it should ruin your phone interview. When you receive a call from a recruiter, try to place yourself in a calm environment. If this is not possible, explain your situation to the recruiter and say that you will call them back later, as connection may be bad or cut off. A delay is better than a conversation of two people who can’t hear each other on the phone. 

5. Not being prepared 

A phone interview is a test to go to the next step in the recruitment process - an in-person interview. To go to the next round, you must be able to answer basic questions such as ‘Why do you think you are the right person for this job?’ or ‘What do you like about our business?’. Be well prepared before your phone rings. 

6. Speaking coldly

When on the phone, there is a great risk of appearing cold or distant. You cannot use your gestures and your face expressions to seem warm and sympathetic - everything must go through your voice. Always speak with a smile (it will really change the tone of your voice) and take care of your intonations. Avoid answering ‘yes’ not to sound like you lack interest and listen carefully to questions before giving an answer.

7. Leaving the conversation in a hurry 

End of questions. Everything went well? So much the better, but it’s not over yet. Thank the caller for their time and if they say nothing concerning a future interview, ask about the following steps. When can you expect feedback on the next steps in the recruitment process? Don’t hang up without knowing it. 

And one more thing - ask relevant questions 

When you look for a job, it’s easy to forget that a job interview is a two-way road – the recruiter wants to find a perfect candidate for their company but you want to find a perfect job too. To make sure you are not buying a cat in the sack; ask questions about the organization and what a successful candidate needs. It is an opportunity to highlight why you are the right person for the job – and to test the waters along the way. 

Don’t know what to ask? We got you covered. Here are some examples of questions: 

• What qualities do you consider necessary to execute these assignments with flying colors?
• What skills do you lack in the current team?
• What is the biggest challenge the person in this position will face?
• If there is one, do you have an idea of the budget that would be entrusted to me?What are the future growth and development projects? 

Research 
Do some basic research before the interview using these guidelines on how to find standard interview information about the company. Consider the challenges the business faces and think about how these affect the position you are interviewing for. What does the organization need from the successful candidate? 

Prepare relevant and thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer using the information you can gather about the company. 

• I learned about the creation of the company, but could you tell me a little more about...? (this question is only valid if you can’t find this information by yourself, on the company website or in the press)
• What are the company's current goals, and how does my team contribute to them?

Introduce yourself as a motivated candidate who wants to contribute as much as possible to the business by asking questions like: 

• Does the company support learning and continuing education for employees?
• What type of employees is most successful in this business?
• Which employee best represents the culture of the company and why?
• How does the company measure success at work?
• What are the advancement opportunities in the company?