6 Phone Interview Mistakes That Will Cost You the Job

6 Phone Interview Mistakes That Will Cost You the JobPhone interviews can be downright tricky. Whether youve had one before and it didnt go well, or youre just a worrywart by nature, here are 6 of the fruchtwein common mistakes and how you can avoid them. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) 1. Youre obviously distractedYour interviewer can tell if youre typing or scrolling through Facebook while you chat. Your interviewer can also hear whatever noise is going on around you. Find a quiet place with a reliable phone connection and then focus on the interview. If you get a phone call out of the blue, its okaypreferable evento tell the interviewer that youre leid in an ideal place to talk and to reschedule.2. Youre not aware of whos interviewing youYou have to know who youre talking to and why. If youre just having a quick chat with HR to verify your resume bullet points and contact information, its not the time to launch into your spiel for how youll singlehandedly save the company. And if youre expecting that kind of call, but get your would-be boss or hiring manager instead, you need to be prepared. Make sure you know what to expect, to allow enough time and preparation.3. Youre not preparedThis is no different from a real interview in this respect. You need to do your homework. That means preparing a stock list of responses to possible hard-hitting questions, and be ready to impress. The more you can learn about the who and why of your interview, the better youll be able to target your preparations. Do be ready to explain who you are, why you care about the company, and to list a few highlights and accomplishments from your resume that will show them you can make it rain.4. Youre ramblingGood communications skills are crucial in a phone interview. The way you present yourself verbally here is your only tool toward making a good impression. That means keeping your answers clear, concise, and on the topic. That means no ums or likes or losing your train of thought in the middle of a run-on sentence. Make notes to yourself, even bulleted lists, and refer to them as often as you need (without reading from them by rote). Your interviewer will never know5. Youre coming across as lacklusterYou might think it would be hard to communicate your energy and enthusiasm on the phone, rather than in person. And thats partly true. Youll want to make an extra effort to be effusive. Make sure to smilestudies show it actually makes a palpable difference in the way your voice sounds over the phone. Same with making gestures. Remember, be upbeat You want this job6. Youre not showing how much you want itYou know how much you want this gig. And youre the only one who can make your interviewer know it. A great way to do this, beyond your upbeat demeanor, is to have intelligent questions prepared that show your genuine interest in the company and how serious you are about getting this position. Its not a faux pas to say explicitly how much you value the opportunity to interview and how interested you are in moving forward. Just make sure to follow-up with a sincere thank you note.If you make sure to guard against the above mistakes, youll already be well placed to get the job, even over the phone.