5 Phone Interview Mistakes Most People Make & How to Avoid Them

By Elizabeth Benu,

Most interviews are in-person and require you to be at your best and smile and have perfect body language but when it comes to a phone interview which is less formal, you can dress  you want and do it at the comfort of your house. But have you ever stopped to wonder how that informal interview is prone to mistakes?

Most times a phone interview may be the first interaction between you and your employer so make a great impression by avoiding the following mistakes that job seekers commonly make.

Liza Shaka, a HR consultant at Monarch Insurance Limited lists common mistakes and gives solutions to them

1. Poor Phone Etiquette
“It is important that your voice conveys authority and confidence. Speak up and use an even and low tone especially when making responses. Many young job speakers pick up a phone call with “sasa” not knowing who is calling. Pick up your cell phone with a simple hello. It helps in building professionalism,” she advices.

“Mobile service providers have the ring back tone service. It reveals the kind of person you are. It may be funny but it can work against you. For example “ nakwambia ungoje kidogo tu nitashika simu…” It may be funny to your peers but to the employer make you appear like a very busy person. A custom made one is good,” Ms Shaka says.

2. Appearing Distracted.
A phone interview is important and being distracted shows the employer that you are uninterested. Distractions make it hard to give good responses because you are not concentrating.

“Have your Interview in a private quiet space with no background noise. For example if you are in a noisy place say a bus station you can tell your employer “would you mind if I call you back? I am in a noisy place” then find a convenient place free of distractions,” she advices.

3. Poor Communication Skills.
“Phone interviews are purely verbal and poor communication skills can make you lose the job. Speaking incoherently and filling up the interview with “pardon please” is wrong.

Be sure to pay undivided attention and be audible enough. Since the employer has no idea of what you look like it is important that you show confidence in your voice and respond comprehensively,” Shaka recommends.

4. Failure to Have Your CV, Cover Letter, or Other Documents with You.
“Even if you have notes on the organization and position, ensure you have your documents with you. This is very vital because you may be required to explain something that is not on the CV or the employer may want you to walk them through your CV. If you have not crammed it then it will be hard for you to do it without your CV,” she counsels.

5. Not Doing enough Research.
Shaka says that being prepared before the phone interview and doing your research on the company and the job description beforehand is vital.
“ The best thing about a phone interview is that you can refer to these notes while speaking to the employer. Phone interviews measure your ability to comprehend and it is important that you do your research’” she concludes.

Review these tips to make sure your phone interviews get you to the next step in the hiring process.

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