Sometimes for many different reasons you may be invited for an interview but instead of turning up at a place and meeting the interviewer face to face you may be asked to take part in a telephone interview. This type of interview is just as important in every aspect and should be treated no differently than if you were meeting face to face and it will usually determine if you will gain a second interview in person.

A phone interview will generally last for 20 to 30 minute and may include just one interviewer or more may be sat in listening. Here are some guidelines for a successful telephone interview:

• Treat the telephone interview just as seriously as you would any other interview – A telephone interview may seem a lot less formal and probably as you are in the familiar surroundings of your own home you will be more relaxed and at ease.

Prepare for the interview just as you would do for a face to face meeting and keep any notes you have written handy, this is another thing in your favour. Just because you are in your own surroundings and feel more at ease remember not to let your guard down. Be sure that you have researched the company well and the job description.

• Have copies of your resume and your cover letter in front of you – The interviewer more than likely will ask Questions in reference to your resume and perhaps your cover letter so don’t be caught off guard make sure you have them both to hand.
• Prepare a cheat sheet – This being a telephone interview the interviewer can’t see if you are glancing at notes that you have already prepared, things you could have on the sheet could be any particular skills or points that you want to highlight to them.
• Make sure your telephone is high quality – Using the best quality phone will make life easier for both yourself and the interviewer there is nothing worse than having to ask someone to repeat themselves because you cant hear them because of hissing and crackling on the line due to poor quality equipment.
• Make yourself presentable – Just because the person can’t see you doesn’t give you the excuse not to shower and dress formally. The interview is just as important as any other that you attend and by making the effort and showering and dressing you will feel better and much more confident than if you are wearing the same clothes you have hung around in all day.
• Sit up straight – Again this is more of a physiological aspect, you will feel better and more confident if you are sitting up straight in a hard backed chair than you will if you are slouching down on the couch with your feet up on the coffee table.

Telephone interviews have both good and bad points; they can be a little harder because as you can’t see the person then you can’t tell from their facial expressions or body language how well the interview is going.

However providing you follow the rules of any other interview and treat the interview just as you would any other it will go just as well and you will be invited to meet face to face for a second.