Six Ways to Fail the Phone Screen

By Robert Half International

Phone interviews are growing in popularity as a way for companies to quickly separate promising job candidates from the many unqualified individuals who may apply for an open position. Screening applicants in this manner allows hiring managers to evaluate a person’s personality and skills, and gauge his or her interest and enthusiasm for the position, in a relatively short amount of time.

While the phone screen can seem like a casual discussion, you should treat it with the utmost importance. Performing well can lead to an in-person interview; one small misstep could take you out of the running entirely. Following are six ways you could fail a phone screen and advice for avoiding these errors:

1. ‘Buster, Boots and I aren’t available right now.’ A cute or humorous voice-mail message might entertain your friends, but it’s unlikely to tickle the funny bone of a prospective employer. In fact, it may cause a hiring manager to question your professionalism. If you do receive a voice mail from a prospective employer, return it promptly.
2. ‘Um … Who is this, again?’ You may not always know in advance when a hiring manager will call. If a prospective employer rings unexpectedly, you want to be able to launch into the conversation immediately, not rack your brain to remember what position you applied for and what the company in question does.

To avoid a hurried scramble, keep a list of all of the job ads you’ve responded to, a few details about the respective companies, and the hiring managers’ names if you have them, near your phone for easy reference. Have a pen and paper handy to jot down notes, questions and other information, too, as well as your resume.

1. ‘What?! I can’t hear you!’ There are few things a hiring manger will find more aggravating than impenetrable background noise or a dropped call. When a prospective employer rings, try to take the call in a quiet room and use a land line.

Use a cell phone only if you have no other option and can be confident you’ll receive a strong signal throughout the conversation. These steps will help to minimize distractions — like barking dogs or coffee shop chatter — and the risk of being disconnected, allowing you to focus on what the hiring manager is saying.

Also, if another call comes in during the interview, don’t answer it; the person to whom you’re speaking should have your full attention.

1. ‘Why do I want to work for your company? Well … Let me think …’ If you can’t provide accurate and thoughtful answers to basic questions (e.g., “What interests you about this job?” or “What is it about our company that appeals to you?”), you won’t stand a chance making it to the next stage of hiring process.

Prepare for a phone interview just as diligently as you would for an in-person meeting. Anticipate the types of questions you might be asked and think about key points you want to convey so that you can reply in an articulate manner.

Also, research the company online and in industry publications to find out about recent developments — this information will help you formulate targeted questions about the firm, its culture and the position.

1. ‘I. Have. Experience. With. …’ While it’s important to be well-prepared for the phone screen, your answers shouldn’t sound robotic. Because hiring managers won’t be able to pick up on facial expressions or body language, it’s important to exude warmth and personality in other ways.

Try smiling when you talk (doing so will give your voice a friendly and enthusiastic lift) and pay attention to your tone (subtle inflections can play a big role in the messages you send). Carefully listen to the interviewer’s questions and take a moment to think about your answers before responding. Also use complete sentences rather than yes or no responses, which can make you sound disinterested or unfriendly.

1. ‘Thanks. Bye!’ Even if you feel you’ve aced the phone screen, you need to know the next steps. As the conversation wraps up, thank the interviewer for his or her time.

If the hiring manager doesn’t suggest an in-person interview, inquire about how the company plans to proceed. For example, you might say, “I’ve really enjoyed talking to you and learning more about your company. When should I expect to hear from you about the next steps in the hiring process?”

Being well prepared for a preliminary phone screen can provide you with a significant advantage in the hiring process. Although it isn’t a replacement for a face-to-face interview, making a good impression over the phone can increase your chances of being asked to an in-person meeting and ultimately landing the job.

Robert Half International is the world’s first and largest specialized staffing firm with a global network of more than 350 offices worldwide. For more information about our professional services, please visit www.roberthalf.com. For additional career advice, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/roberthalf.