How to Prepare for a Phone Interview With a Recruiter?

If you have been contacted by a recruiter and asked to interview for a job, congratulations!

This is your chance to shine and show the recruiter why you are the best candidate for the position. However, many people do not know how to get ready for a phone interview.

So, I’ve decided to take an in-depth look at exactly what you need to do to make the best impression possible. Along with some tips on the questions you should ask the recruiter prior to the interview, and questions to ask during the call itself.

Let’s get straight to my How to Prepare for a Phone Interview With a Recruiter Guide.

What is a Phone Interview?

A phone interview is the same as a regular interview, except it takes place over the phone. The purpose of the call is to determine if you are a good fit for the job and to see if you would be interested in moving forward in the hiring process. Phone interviews typically last around 30 minutes.

What is the Difference Between a Phone and a Normal Interview?

The main difference is that you cannot see the recruiter’s facial expressions or body language over the phone. This can make it difficult to gauge how well you are doing during the call. Additionally, since you cannot shake hands with the recruiter, it is important to sound enthusiastic and smile when you speak.

How to Prepare for a Phone Interview?

Now that you know the difference between a normal and a phone interview, let’s start preparing! The first step is research. You should always research the company so that it is easy to answer questions such as, “Why are you interested in this position?”, “Why do you want to work here?” or “What do you know about our company?”.

The second step is preparing your environment and technology. You will want to make sure that you are in a quiet place with good reception or Wi-Fi connection so the recruiter cannot hear any background noise or interruptions during the call. The third step is having a pen and paper ready so that you can take notes during the interview if necessary.

What Questions Should You Ask Prior to the Interview?

You should always ask questions prior to an interview because it shows that you are interested in working for the company and taking time out of your day just for them. These questions will also help you in your preparation for the interview. Some questions you may want to ask include:

Who will be interviewing me?

This will help you put a name to the voice of your interviewer. You can also look up information about their job and background on sites such as LinkedIn so that you are more prepared during the interview.

Will this be a formal or informal interview?

By asking this, you will know how much to prepare for the interview. Although you can never be too prepared, if it is an informal interview, you can relax a little.

What is the dress code for the position I am interviewing for?

This will actually help you gauge the tone of your interview. Companies with relaxed dress codes tend to be more informal during recruitment.

Can you tell me a little bit about the company culture?

This will again let you gauge the tone of your interview.

Questions You Can Ask During a Phone Interview?

Now that you know what questions to ask prior to the interview, let’s talk about questions you can ask during the interview! Since you cannot see the recruiter’s facial expressions or body language, it is important to have some questions prepared in case there is a lull in the conversation.

Here are a few examples:

Problems with Phone Interviews?

There are several problems with phone interviews, the first of which is that you cannot see the recruiter’s facial expressions or body language. This makes it harder to gauge how well you are doing during the interview and makes it harder for both parties if they have any questions. Additionally, some people find it difficult to talk on the phone for an extended period of time.

How to Act During a Phone Interview?

Now that you know how to prepare for a phone interview and what questions to ask, let’s discuss how you should act during the interview.

The most important thing to remember is that you should be enthusiastic and smile when you speak! You should also sound interested in the position and have questions prepared for the recruiter.

It is also important to stay focused during the interview and not get distracted by what’s going on around you. If you are having a difficult time staying focused, try repeating the questions back to the recruiter to ensure you understand them correctly.

Want to Know How to Answer Common Interview Questions?

Then check out our informative guides on How To Answer What Are You Passionate About, What are Your Salary Expectations, How Would You Describe Yourself, How Do You Handle Stress, What Are You Most Proud Of, What Are Your Career Goals, How Do You Handle Conflict, or What Makes You Unique.

And for even more great information, check out the excellent How To Ace Your Phone Interview. And the last thing you want is your tech letting, especially the quality of your phone or computer’s in-built microphone letting you down, so get yourself the Microphone Professional for iPhone Lavalier Lapel Omnidirectional Condenser Mic Phone, or the EIVOTOR 2 Pack Professional Lavalier Lapel Microphone, Omnidirectional Lapel Mic with Clip-on Perfect for iPhone, or the highly recommended Wireless Lavalier Microphone for iPhone iPad, Upgraded Plug-Play Clip-on Shirt Lapel Mini Mic.

Final Thoughts

Now that you know the best way to prepare for a phone interview, the questions you should ask before and during the interview, as well as how to act during it, you’re 100% ready to ace your next phone interview!

All the best with your next phone interview, and happy job hunting!