Phone Interview Etiquette

Struggling with phone interviews that go nowhere? You might be missing small tweaks that make a big impact. Let’s make your next phone interview your best one yet 👇 8 Phone Interview Tips That Will Get You The Job (And why most candidates fail at #3 and #7) Here's everything I've learned coaching 100+ professionals: 1. Have plenty of time blocked ↳ I always tell my clients: Schedule 30 extra minutes before and after. Rushing is your worst enemy here. 2. Find a quiet place ↳ Background noise kills professionalism. I recommend testing different spots in your home before the actual call. 3. Keep phone battery fully charged ↳ This seems obvious, but 40% of my clients admit to starting interviews with less than 50% battery. Plug it in. 4. Keep a glass of water nearby ↳ Your voice is your tool. I've seen too many candidates struggle with dry throat mid-interview. 5. Print and lay out essential documents ↳ Digital isn't always better. Having physical copies prevents awkward screen-switching sounds and delays. 6. Smile and maintain good posture ↳ Yes, they can't see you, but trust me: Your voice projects differently when you're slouching vs. sitting straight. 7. Speak slowly and clearly ↳ Most candidates rush through answers when nervous. I always say: "Pace yourself like you're teaching something important." 8. Practice proper phone etiquettes ↳ Answer with your name, never interrupt, and always let the interviewer finish before responding. ✅ Bonus tip: Record yourself in a mock interview. You'll be surprised what you discover. These tips come from real success stories. I've seen candidates transform their interview performance just by implementing #6 and #7. Save this post for your next phone interview. P.S. Which tip surprised you the most? 🟢 If you're serious about landing your next job, join my free webinar: "Get Your Dream Job with My Career Spotlight Framework" (Link in comments – let’s make your dream job a reality.) #interview #jobseekers #careertips

I've seen candidates rejected by clients for job opportunities because they talked too much, and others rejected for replying with one-liners. Here are some top communication etiquette tips during interviews. Don't Boil the Ocean 🌊 Focus on key points relevant to the discussion rather than overwhelming the interviewer with excessive details. Listen First, Talk Later 👋🏼 Prioritise listening to the interviewer's questions and concerns before responding. Don’t jump the gun and assume things because you will be shooting yourself in the foot before hearing from the interviewer what skills and attributes they are looking for in the role. Avoid Fluff and High-Level Concepts 💡 Share specific achievements using the STAR method to provide context and showcase your abilities effectively. Ask Relevant Questions at the Right Time 🕰️ Inquire about the role, company, and culture at the beginning of the interview process to demonstrate interest and gather insights. Save questions about benefits and work type for the end of the interview process. Show Adaptability and Problem-Solving Skills 🧠 This is especially important when interviewing for a role in a company of different sizes (i.e., from corporate to startup) to show the interviewer you are adaptable. Highlight instances where you've adapted to challenges and provided solutions, showcasing your ability to navigate various situations effectively. Avoid One Liner Answers 😶 Offer detailed responses that thoroughly address the question, showcasing your expertise and communication abilities effectively. Utilise Local Slangs Thoughtfully 💭 Start with clear and universal language to ensure understanding among diverse audiences, maintaining professionalism in interviews. However, if the interviewer incorporates local slang, consider adopting some to align with their communication style to build rapport. As simple as they may sound, I've seen too many candidates of different seniority make these mistakes. I hope some of these tips will help you avoid some of the unconscious habits during interviews. ☄️ If you are looking to improve your interview skills, consider role-playing with your friends and having them rate you on all the above points. 🍀

If you're on the job hunt, this tip could be crucial! We're diving into the art of answering your phone. Believe it or not, as a recruiter, many calls I make are NOT answered by someone who sounds eager to talk about job opportunities. Picture this: you’ve sent out your resume far and wide, like contrails across the skies. A recruiter, intrigued by your skills, decides to give you a call. Here’s where it gets tricky—how you answer that call can either launch your career or result in that opportunity being declared AOG (or COG = Career on Ground). I can’t tell you how many times I’ve scheduled calls only to be greeted by voices that sound like they’ve just heard the ghost of their unread emails. Whether it’s a groggy mumble, a suspicious interrogation, or the loud rustle of someone continuing to wash dishes, it’s not a first impression that is impressive. If You Know the Call Is Coming (Scheduled Calls):   - Good: "Hello, this is [Your Name]."   - Bad: Anything that sounds like you are still asleep at noon, owe money to creditors who call often or forgot you scheduled a call. If the Call Is a Surprise (Out of the Blue Calls):   - Good: A clear, cheerful "Hello, this is [Your Name]" or simply a clear/concise "Hello..."   - Bad: "Uh...who’s calling?" or the classic, "Yeah?" with attitude. This is often an initial test for many recruiters for a variety of reasons: - An initial reaction can reveal a lot about a candidate's attitude towards potential stressors or interruptions. A positive, adaptable attitude is crucial in a variety of job environments. - Clarity of speech, tone of voice and the manner an initial exchange is handled is critical. These elements can show whether a candidate is likely to communicate effectively with clients and colleagues. - A polite, articulate greeting suggests a candidate is well-prepared and takes interviewing seriously, reflecting how they might handle professional interactions on the job. Answer your phone like it’s a handshake—firm, professional, and with just the right amount of enthusiasm.

Most candidates prepare for what to say. The winners prepare for HOW they say it. After coaching 100+ professionals through clinical research interviews, I've discovered the brutal truth: Same candidate, different format = completely different outcome. PHONE INTERVIEWS - THE VOICE TRAP: You smile while speaking. They can't see it. You take notes. They hear keyboard clicking. You pause to think. They assume you're lost. One client bombed 3 phone screens until she started standing during calls. Energy shift = instant callbacks. VIDEO INTERVIEWS - THE TECH MINEFIELD: ✓ Strong handshake? Irrelevant. ✓ Professional outfit? Only from waist up matters. ✓ Eye contact? You're staring at their forehead on screen. Reality: Your WiFi stability matters more than your stability under pressure. I watched a PhD with 20 years experience lose to a fresh grad. Why? The veteran's pixelated video made him look unprepared. The grad's ring light made her look like a pro. IN-PERSON INTERVIEWS - THE FULL CONTACT SPORT: Everything matters. Your handshake. Your posture. How you sit. Where you look. Even how you hold your portfolio. But here's what kills most candidates: They forget to breathe. Literally. Nervous = shallow breathing = weak voice = no executive presence. THE FORMAT HACK THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING: Phone: Stand up. Smile before you dial. Use hand gestures (yes, they hear it in your voice). Video: Camera at eye level. Light on face, not behind. Look at the lens when speaking, screen when listening. In-person: Arrive 20 minutes early. Sit in your car. Do box breathing (4-4-4-4). Walk in 5 minutes early. THE UNCOMFORTABLE TRUTH: The best candidate doesn't always get the job. The candidate who masters the format does. I've seen brilliant researchers tank because they didn't adapt their approach to the medium. Your expertise stays the same. Your delivery strategy must change. Which interview format makes you sweat the most? 👇 #InterviewSuccess #ClinicalResearchCareers #InterviewTips

I have a phone screen tomorrow for a great role at an organization that I am really excited about. Phone screens can often be stressful, especially for neurodivergent people, because you may feel a lot of pressure to share the most about yourself in the 15-30 minutes you have with the recruiter – why? Well of course you want to bring your best and most authentic self! But phone screens are not about sharing EVERYTHING in those 15-30 minutes, they are about being strategic to share the highlights, your why, and what sets you apart. So here are 3 tips you can use to ace your next phone interview ♠️ ☎️ Do your research: On both the company/organization and the person you'll be talking too. Try to find common interests with the person interviewing you – maybe you went to the same college, have similar professional backgrounds, lived in the same places, etc. This can help you make an initial personal connection and ease into the conversation. While researching the organization/company seek out their values and see if you can find alignment with your own; learn about the clients/community they work this will help you find more ways your own experience/interest aligns with their work. ☎️ Root in your "why": What is your "WHY"? Why are you interested in the company? The role? This industry? What drives YOU. This is often where a candidate can differentiate themselves from everyone else. Having a clear 30 second - 1 minute answer to this question thats rooted in your personal + professional experience can go a long way. Bonus Points: Write down your "WHY" and have it in front of you during the conversation so you can reference it 📝 ☎️ Identify 1 quick anecdote that you can share which highlights one of the following *A time you succeeded in the face of adversity, *A project you managed/ran that was successful, *A time that you successfully pivoted when things went wrong #JobSeeker #OpenToWork #InterviewTips #neurodivergent #ActuallyAutistic #phoneinterview #Hiring #InclusiveHiring #HR #DEI #Equity #inclusion #diversity

Getting an interview is hard right now. That means you have to take that opportunity seriously if it comes. Here’s how to dominate the first call with the recruiter (giving yourself a chance to move forward). 1. Show value … Demonstrate why you’re a good fit based on the job requirements. Don’t regurgitate your resume or ramble on about random skills. Focus on what they need. 2. Show interest … Actively listen. Share why you applied. Ask thoughtful questions. 3. Answer the question … Don’t get off track! Listen to what they ask and give a direct, succinct answer that’s on topic. If you’re talking most of the time you’re doing it wrong. 4. Research, research, research … Review the job posting to understand what the role entails. Make sure you understand the basics about the company. If you come into the call blind you will get screened out. Do your homework! —— I’ve done thousands of screening calls and trust me … if you do these things you will stand out.

As I am heading into a day full of phone interviews (looking forward to connecting with so many of you!), I wanted to share some tips for anyone preparing for initial interviews 📱 🔹The most successful candidates aren't just winging it. They've researched our mission, explored our values, and can authentically articulate why they're excited about the opportunity. They've moved beyond the generic "I'm passionate about your mission" to specific examples of how their experiences align with what we're building. 🔹 Time zones matter! I can't count how many missed connections happen because candidates didn't double-check the time zone (yes, even with calendar invites!). Always confirm the time zone when scheduling. 🔹Let's normalize phone interview realities: There will be moments of silence while I'm taking notes, times when we accidentally talk over each other, and pauses while you gather your thoughts. These moments don't define your interview. 🔹 It's absolutely okay to say, "Could I take a moment to think about that?" or "Can you repeat the question?" Better to take a moment and give a clear answer than rush to fill the silence." 🔹Find a quiet space if possible. I've had candidates take calls from their car (parked, of course!) to ensure privacy. Remember: The recruiter on the other end of the phone is genuinely rooting for you to succeed. We're not trying to trip you up – we're looking for reasons to advance you to the next round. #Recruiting #CareerAdvice #JobSearch #InterviewTips