Helping Clients Prepare for Telephone Interviews

The initial telephone interview serves great purpose for the employer. Not only does it cut down on the time and expense of bringing a candidate on-site and gathering a selection committee, but it is also a tool to narrow down the pool of applicants. I have had several clients lately who are getting initial telephone interviews. These can be quite intimidating if adequate preparation and role playing has not taken place. This blog will highlight telephone interview tips that we can be utilizing with our clients. First, we want to encourage our clients that during a job search they should never answer a call from an unfamiliar number. There is nothing worse than taking a call from a potential employer and not remembering the job details or having background noise. Ideally, clients should let the call go to voice mail and then quickly respond from a land line once they have reviewed their records of the specific job for which they applied and are in a quiet environment. As for any interview, review common interview questions, know your strengths, relevant skills and experience, and have a copy of your resume handy.


The following are some common telephone interview questions that we can role play with our clients.

• How did you learn about this position and why are you interested?

• What do you know about our company?

• What skills make you particularly qualified for this position?

• What was your most recent salary? What is your salary expectation?

• Why are you leaving your job or are no longer with your last employer?

Additional strategies would be to make sure clients have a glass of water, pen and paper, and a list of their accomplishments close. Encourage clients to speak slowly and smile during the call. Studies show this helps project a more positive voice tone. The goal of any telephone interview is to set up a face-to-face interview. At the close of the interview, clients can certainly ask for a face-to-face meeting to further share their qualifications. Lastly, be sure clients get the name and contact information of the interviewer and send a thank you note. The coaching our clients for telephone interviews, they will be best prepared and more likely to secure face-to-face interviews.