Phone interview preparation is a different ball game from traditional job interview preparation in that the interviewer will not be physically present in front of you. But phone interviews are a clever ploy to screen prospective aspirants for the actual job interview. As such, in order to prepare for a phone interview, you need to approach in a slightly different manner.

How to Prepare for a Phone Interview?

Following are some of the useful tips that help you prepare for phone interview.

Suggest a time window
When approached for a phone interview, you will have the choice of setting the time and date as per your availability at home. Try to give a time window so that the interviewer will also have some choice of choosing the actual time. This suggestion of time window gives you an opportunity to mentally prepare yourself for the interview. You can also keep all the relevant materials ready for any reference when needed. If, otherwise, you are asked to ring up the interviewer at a specific date and time, then you have to plan your day's activities so that you can talk to the interviewer calmly.

Keep relevant papers
It is very convenient to have all relevant papers and a notepad with a pen with you. A copy of the resume should be ready for your reference, as you can expect the phone interviewer to extensively bank on it for information. Mentally prepare for phone interview by jotting down possible questions that you may likely to face. Also keep a glass of water to overcome mouth dryness as it can happen due to nervousness.

Choose a cool place
You have to decide where you want to take the phone interview. Choose a cool and calm place, where there will be no disturbance or distraction. It may be your house, or your home office. What is important is that the two way communication is not hampered in any way by noisy happenings around. Your voice should be crisp and clear, your responses should be apt and relevant. The interviewer should not be forced to repeat the questions to you. Practice hard until you become confident.

Practice well
Your confidence level increases when you practice well before the actual phone interview. Anticipate all possible questions and prepare for phone interview.

Take advice
Consult people who have gone through this activity. Their suggestions will be valuable and you will know the trend the interviewers follow generally.

You answer the phone
Yes, let nobody respond any phone calls during the time window. You sit by the phone and answer all calls. Unimportant calls can be ignored if they are displayed on the instrument. Other calls can be diverted to another instrument. Your initial response to the expected phone interview makes all the difference.

Listen attentively
As your response is based on active listening, you have to be very focused and attentive while listening to the interviewer. When you listen actively, then you can correlate what was said in the earlier part of the phone interview. Never let a stray thought disturb your concentration.

Smile occasionally
Inculcate the habit of smiling lightly when the occasion calls for. Do not practice to smile and talk simultaneously as it will affect clarity. Cultivate a genial and friendly approach.

Sit comfortably
When you answer the phone interview, it is better to find a comfortable sitting arrangement so that frequent shifting movements can be avoided. It will also be less stressful and less strenuous to talk while comfortably placed at some place.

Your attire also matters
Some say that formal business-like attire even for phone interviews makes a lot of impact on your preparation for phone interview. They say that your mind will be conditioned to face the phone interview confidently.

Keep your mouth clear
When you respond to the phone call from the interviewer, keep your mouth clear of any stuff that may interfere with your voice clarity. No chewing gums, no smoking, and no food or drink while talking.

No speaker phone
Do not depend on the speaker phone. Lift the receiver to answer the phone interview. It will add to clarity on both sides.

Address interviewer formally
You will have to address the interviewer formally, unless otherwise told differently. Ask your friends and relatives to talk to you on phone so that you can have a thorough practice drill.

Do not interrupt
In your practice drills, when you fail to grasp what your friends say on the phone, wait until they finish their say before you request them to repeat what they said. That way, you will not panic when you fail to understand what the interviewer said at the actual interview.

Prepare thoroughly
It is almost always certain that you will be asked certain standard questions for which you should have some prepared answers.

• Why should they consider you for the job
• How can you justify your qualification for the job
• Your weaknesses and strengths
• How you intend to improve the working

Follow the above tips and face the phone interview confidently.