5 Tips to Master the Phone Interview

Date Posted: 07/23/2018

Sa wakas may scheduled interview ka na with the employer pero sa phone or Skype interview pala…this can be intimidating for some, but they don’t really have to be. As a first contact with HR, being prepared and projecting a confident attitude is a surefire way to project your best self. Here are some suggestions to follow so that you can take the next step for that ideal job abroad.

Sa panahon ngayon, phone is no longer just a voice instrument. Several apps like Skype, WhatsApp, Viber, etc, allows your interviewer not only to hear your voice but he or she can also see you over a monitor just as though you are sitting face to face. So the tips below should help you not only for phone interviews but also for actual physical interviews.

A Smile Goes a Long Way

It’s no secret that smiling can instantly change your mood. This is true for the phone interview, too. If you are smiling, feeling good about who you are and what you are about, then the interviewer will be able to sense that you are eager and excited about working for that company. Smiling while speaking to the overseas recruiter can convey someone who is willing to be open and has a positive outlook. And, it is a fact that smiling can turn you from tense to relaxed. Relaxed and happy to be speaking to your interviewer is how you want to be perceived. Even if they cannot see you, and you may be far away, but they will surely sense your good energy through your voice. Your lifted voice and your inner confidence will shine through, kaya make sure lagi kang masaya at ngumiti.

Preparation is Everything

Not only should you prepare for a phone interview just like an in-person interview, you must! The worst mistake you can make in any interview is to show that you have little interest in the position and lack of preparation screams that you didn’t care enough to do your research. Before you say that first hello, siguraduhin mong nagawa mo ang homework mo. Know the company that you wish to work for. It’s not just about salary, title or location. It’s about whether or not you can identify the value of the company and tell the overseas recruiter what you know about its mission, history, values, products or services and successes. It’s not if they will ask you specific questions about the company, but when and how. Being knowledgeable will show that you care about them and that’s a big deciding factor for HR to pass you through to the next stage of the hiring process. Go to their website, do a search on their brand, see what’s in the news for that company and be in the know.

Your Resume Tells a Story

Your resume is a roadmap for HR. It tells your personal story, outlining your employment history, skills, education and interests. Be sure to go over all the details of the exact resume you sent them for the application because the HR interviewer will be looking at it as both of you talk. Be aware that they will ask questions about job transitions, gaps in employment and specific skills that may match their company’s needs. This is your opportunity to highlight the aspects of your experience that will be of interest to the interviewer and to show them that you have the potential to be a fine candidate for the position. For uncomfortable questions about why you may have left a position, answer briefly, but clearly. The last thing you want to do is to run on about a past employer who did you wrong or elaborate on a health issue that is now not an issue. Remember to remain positive and honest, but only divulge information that is necessary. Don’t go into a long story that will seem like a soap opera that never ends. No foreign recruitment consultant in an HR interview wants to hear any of that

The Tough Questions

It’s inevitable that there will be tough questions. Most of these are standard for the interviewer on a first contact. How did you manage an inconvenient situation at work? Tell me about an instance where you did something to improve the company’s performance? What are your long- term goals if you are to be hired? These and many others are interview questions that you would face at an in-person interview as well. Here are some articles we have written previously on interview questions and answers which you might also find useful: The Smartest Ways to Answer Dumb Interview Questions; Don’t Leave a Job Interview Without Asking Questions; What Do These Ten Interview Questions Really Mean; Tricky Interview Questions and How to Answer Them . You can also ask a friend to do a practice interview with you to check out how you are performing and how you can alter your answers to give the best impression. Again, being prepared is everything.

Ready, Set, Go

The day has arrived, and you’ve verified the set time. You have rested. You have checked your computer and microphone, charged your phone or otherwise made sure that the technology to receive the call is okay. You have actually dressed up to present your professional self. You have prepared for interruptions by getting a babysitter and/or getting pets settled if needed, definitely chosen a quiet place to talk that isn’t in the middle of a noisy café or outdoor traffic scene and cancelling all other appointments for that hour. You are in a comfortable place both physically and mentally. Now you are ready. Go for it!