Top 7 telephone job interview tips for diverse students, grads

Telephone job interviews are often used as an initial screening tool by employers. They provide a cost-effective and time-efficient way for organizations to assess whether a candidate is a potential fit. Even though the process is conducted remotely, telephone job interviews require as much preparation and skill as traditional face-to-face interviews.

All candidates, diverse or not, should be well-prepared for all interviews. Candidates who are diverse to the employer may be so because they’re women, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, black or African American, Latino, economically disadvantaged, first-generation, or otherwise. Regardless of whether or why the employer may consider you to be diverse, here are some tips to help you stand out in a good way:

• Practice Active Listening: Without visual cues, it can be tricky to interpret the interviewer’s reactions during a phone interview. As fewer interviews are conducted by phone and more by Zoom or similar video meeting platforms, this is becoming less of an issue. Still, if your remote job interview is by phone or there’s no video for some other reason, this tip is critical. In a nutshell, it’s crucial to pay close attention to the questions and comments of the interviewer. Don’t interrupt, and give thoughtful, concise answers.

• Prepare Your Environment: Find a quiet, comfortable place where you won’t be interrupted. Ensure your phone is fully charged (or plugged in), and the call quality is good. Oh, and have a backup plan in case of unexpected technical issues.

• Do Your Research: Understand the organization’s mission, values, and work culture. Learn about their commitment to diversity and inclusion. Show enthusiasm about how you, with your unique background and experiences, can contribute to the organization. At College Recruiter, one of the questions we ask potential hires in our screening interviews is what attracted them to the job and our company. It amazes us how many interviewees don’t even know what our company does, let alone anything of importance about the role for which they’re being interviewed. Needless to say, they don’t move to the next step in the hiring process and we’re candid with them about why so that they can do better the next time an employer interviews them.

• Demonstrate Clear Communication: Be articulate and confident. Slow down your speech, pronounce your words clearly, and avoid using slang. Remember, your voice is your primary tool in a telephone interview. If you’re able to do so, stand up while talking. For some reason, it changes our tone, perhaps because we tend to be more alert while standing than sitting.

• Highlight Your Diversity: Showcase how your unique experiences, perspectives, and skills – often stemming from your diverse background – can add value to the organization. Employers appreciate candidates who can bring a fresh perspective to their team. Some organizations might want to hire diverse candidates, but the diverse candidates who make sure the employer knows that and also how that diversity can help the employer become more productive are going to stand a much better chance of moving to the next stage in the hiring process.

• Prepare and Ask Insightful Questions: This shows your interest in the role and gives you a chance to assess if the organization aligns with your values and goals. You might want to inquire about their diversity and inclusion initiatives or support systems for diverse employees. You shouldn’t need to ask what the company does or even what the role is about, but you should ask questions like, “I see that you just expanded into Europe by selling Product X in France. Would it make sense if that’s successful to also sell it in the rest of the European Union and the United Kingdom?”

• Send a Follow-Up Note: After the interview, send a thank you note expressing your appreciation for the opportunity to interview. This leaves a positive impression and shows your professionalism. Few candidates send thank you notes at all, so even an emailed thank you note will make you stand out in a good way. A handwritten note sent via postal mail will make you stand out even more. Either way, get that out by the next day to help ensure that it arrives before the interviewer is making decisions about which candidates should move to the next step in the hiring process.

Remember, the goal of a telephone interview is to secure an invitation for a more formal and probably longer interview, whether that’s in-person or by video. Showcase your strengths and qualifications, communicate effectively, and convey your genuine interest in the role and the organization.