How to Handle Telephone Interviews?
(Part ii)

Once you have set up all the arrangements and ready for a call, you should keep in mind that it is crucial. Never take it so lightly. When the expected call comes, never start with a ‘hello’ Give your name enabling the caller to confirm your identity, the other side of the phone will tell you who he is. Wish them appropriately with a good morning, Good afternoon, or good evening.

As it is a part of recruitment process, try to establish a good rapport with the interviewer at the earliest. Be calm and enthusiastic; do not bring down the dialogue to a personal level. Ensure that the clarity of the voice is not lost. Do not talk too loudly. Most of us believe that we are better of being unseen but that is not true. It means that you have to be more particular in your responses. Since the caller cannot see you, your seriousness of purpose has to be conveyed by the tone of your voice.

Other vital aspects.


A good telephone conversation is indeed an art. It calls for considerable skill. The best way to learn this ‘art’ by means of participating enough mock sessions over the phone, talking to a friend. At the end of session, ask him to tell you whether you sound arrogant or confident or diffident .You can make improvement by getting the feed back.

Do not interrupt the interviewer; do not hurry up to give an answer before he completes the question. Never give raise to an occasion where there is simultaneous speech from both ends. If at all such a situation occurs allow the interviewer to continue. If the interviewer doesn’t understand a word, use a synonym if possible, if it does not work, spell the word.

Do not say ‘hello’ during conversation, need not prefix or suffix your sentence
with ‘Sir’. Take care to speak distinctly, slowly, clearly and confidently.

Try to keep the answer short and to the question asked. Suppose you go on answering, you may miss something important that the interviewer is looking for. If possible indicate specific facts including the right names and numbers. This shows your appreciation of precision and accuracy.

Whenever some words of encouragement are heard, do not hesitate to thank the interviewer. Suppose you are asked about your expected salary, do not tell a figure. Instead of that you may suggest- normally you would be agreeable to fall in line with the company norms that are in tune with the prevailing market rates, your qualification, experience, and skills.

You may collect a call back number (number of the interviewer). It will be helpful on certain occasions and be able to resume the conversation.

When you feel that the conversation is going to close and you could not figure out some of the vital information about your achievement. You could briefly introduce it by telling, “Perhaps you would be interested to know that….”

A perfect finish......

Now it is time to finish. Ending the call to be done carefully Let the interviewer hang up the phone; you hang up there after.

Do not forget to thank the interviewer for having spared time for you. You may enquire about the next step in the process such as face-to-face interview .If there is, enquire about the possible date time and venue

Interview should preferably end in a positive note, indicating your association with the company.

After the interview ,do send a “thank you” letter to the interviewer.