We all have experience in attending a face-to-face interview. When we say telephonic interview, people say it is not that important. But you should know this is one of the most important rounds in the interview process which has to be taken seriously.
Why is there a telephonic interview? Recruiters conduct telephonic interviews in order to find the one that fits in the job profile. This round enables the recruiter to decide if the applicant can be taken to the next round of the interview or not. Normally a telephonic round will go on for 15-20 minutes if there is a single person interviewing you.
Here are few guidelines which can help you on how to perfect a telephonic interview.
Scheduling The Phone Interview
The first step in scheduling a telephonic interview is setting up at a convenient date and time. It is taken into consideration by the interviewer and the time is agreed upon. So make sure you choose the time when you are able to attend the telephonic round. It is important to be available on the mentioned date and have the time for this round as this adds to the interview process.
Resume
Always keep your resume in front of you because one of the topmost asked in any interview is, 'walk me through your resume.' So when the interviewer is shooting you with the first set of questions, make sure you are in a calm environment before you start the process. Also, make sure to have a professional conversation between the interviewer and you.
Technical Glitches
Make sure you are in a calm environment and that it has proper network connectivity. However, it is also true that these technical issues can be present and uncalled as well. Always keep in mind you are within the reach of your resume or laptop if it is required for anything.
Be Assertive And Attentive
Be very positive in your approach. Be attentive as to what is being discussed in the call. If there is something you are unclear about, get it clarified. Note down the points which may be important or something that you may want to reflect on.
Always Focus On The Language
Being the first round, it is important to make a good impression on the recruiter. Use a professional tone which makes a good impression on the opposite person. Keep the language simple and clean. Do not get involved in multilingual conversations. Refrain from using slang words during the conversation.
Do Not Over Share Your Knowledge
Go with the line of questions the recruiter asks. Do not deviate from the topic. Once the round is over, ask questions concerning the company, job, etc. as it shows your interest level.
Ask For The Next Step In The Interview Process
Now that the telephonic interview is done, do not end the call without asking about the next step; if you are to follow up with them or if you'll hear from them. This expresses your interest as well. Be expressive and speak up so that there is no miscommunication from your end. Ask for the contact information in order to reach someone, just in case.
Express Gratitude
Once the interview is over, make sure you send a thank you note or an email expressing your gratitude for the same. The note is a reminder that you have valued their time and justified the same. Basically, it is to reiterate how you can fit into the role.
The above-mentioned points play a pivotal role while answering a telephonic interview. In most cases, today telephonic interviews are given high preference as they are efficient and help filter the candidates, to finally select the one that fits perfectly for the job.