The first step of any career finding process is sending your CV, but just as crucial as your CV is your first phone interview. These do not usually last long but have a major impact on your chances of going into the career you are applying for. Here are 5 tips for you to help with your phone interviews!

1. Prepare your meeting in advance

Even if the interview takes place over the phone, you must be as serious as if it were a face-to-face meeting. The first thing you need to know is the name of your interviewer! Then you should research the company before the phone call. You can do this by looking at the company’s website, understanding what they do, what their values are and what markets they target and making notes. This will show your interest in the company and your motivation.

2. Respond in a quiet place

You should sit in a quiet, bright place. This will save you from unpleasant surprises if the recruiter suddenly decides to switch to video mode. You should therefore avoid the bathroom, the toilet, the kitchen or a dark room overlooking the road. Ideally, you should sit at your desk if you have one or at the table in your living room.

Also make sure your mobile phone is sufficiently charged. Also tell the people who live with you that you have a phone conversation planned so that there is no noise.

3. Smile and stand up straight!

On the phone, your best asset for convincing is your voice and your tone! Even if you can’t be seen, a smile can be heard, so it’s important to smile. It gives a dynamic aspect to your personality. We recommend that you sit or stand upright. Avoid answering lying down on a bed or on the couch, as the slackness in your voice can be felt and you risk giving the wrong impression. Try to articulate well, to be clear in what you are saying and to have a fluid voice. Vary the volume of your voice, you can be more insistent on key elements of your CV for example.

4. Have the right documents in front of you

The advantage of a telephone interview is that no one sees you! You can therefore have all the documents you want in front of you. The essentials are: your CV at its best and to know it by heart, a list of your key skills, your cover letter and the job description, to keep in mind the expected requirements.

5. Take notes and ask questions

Get some paper and a pen to take notes! Write down everything important your interviewer says to you, some of which may come up in a future interview. Perhaps you have questions that came to mind during the interview, write them down to avoid cutting them off or even forgetting them. It is important to ask questions during the interview as it shows your interest in the position and the company.

At the end of the interview, do not forget to thank your interviewer for the time and attention he/she has given you. Before concluding, and if they haven’t already done so, ask them about the rest of the recruitment process. When will they get back to you?