Phone Interviews
A phone interview may be a preliminary interview to screen candidates, or it may the primary interview itself. You should approach a phone interview as formally as you would approach an interview on site, which includes preparing for the interview well in advance.
Because of the unique nature of a phone interview, there are a few other guidelines you should consider:
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Smile as you speak—it will change the tone of your voice to make you sound positive and enthusiastic
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Dress up and sit at a desk or table -- it will remind your body to be in professional mode, which will positively affect your vocal tone
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Have interview materials with you, including your resume and cover letter, the job description, and typed questions for the employer.
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Send a thank you note or e-mail afterwards, which demonstrates that you have taken the interview seriously
Virtual Interviews
In many ways, virtual interviews (those held over Zoom, Skype, Microsoft Teams, or other applications) should be treated identically to an in-person interview. They have the added challenge of ensuring that you need to set up a professional space on your own, which you should prepare well ahead of time.
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Dress up professionally, both to appear eager and prepared for the job, and to put yourself in a mindset of being in an interview.
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Have interview materials with you, including your resume and cover letter, the job description, and typed questions for the employer.
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Test the application you'll be using to meet if possible to make sure any technical issues are resolved ahead of time and that you will have a strong internet connection on the day of the interview.
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Review your interview space to ensure you have bright lighting in front of you, and the background behind you is bland or blank. If there is a lighting source behind you such as a window, it will make you appear in shadow.
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Assess background noise for your space by recording a sample version of your interview space, especially using the application that the virtual interview will be using if possible. If you are using a shared space such as your residence hall, inform any housemates and try to plan for them to be elsewhere.
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Confirm your computer is fully charged or preferably plugged in.
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Get names of interviewers and send thank you notes afterwards