“Congratulations! Our recruiters enjoyed talking with you. We’d like to get to know you a little bit more. Please email times you’re available for about 30 minutes and we’ll schedule a phone interview for some time next week.” – A recruiter turning my excitement into panic in a matter of seconds
Let’s be honest, phone interviews are a little scary. You can’t see the interviewer’s reactions. You’re speaking to your wall. It’s easy to go on tangents. You don’t feel like a professional without the suit. What if your roommate starts bla ring Robin Thicke in the middle of you explaining how much you value ethics? What if your mom calls in the middle of it? WHAT IF YOU HAVE LITERALLY BORED THEM TO SLEEP AND DON’T EVEN REALIZE IT BECAUSE YOU CAN’T SEE YOUR INTERVIEWERS?
Now that we’ve gotten that out of our system, let’s talk about why the perks of interviewing over the phone are actually awesome.
You don’t need to dress up. Most would agree that suits help you feel professional. They remind you how you’re supposed to behave. But really, when you get down to it, the suit isn’t going to get you the job. It’s your experience, your communication, and your conversation with the recruiter that will. So enjoy being taken seriously while wearing a onesie and discussing your leadership.
Your resources are at your fingertips. This doesn’t mean you should Google the questions they ask you. Save that strategy for your Econ homework. What it does mean is that you can use cheat sheets. Jot down a few of the company’s products and achievements, keep your resume in front of you, or make a list of questions you want to ask. Phone interviews allow you to release some of the anxiety that comes with feeling the need to memorize everything. Allow your mind to be in the moment, knowing you’ll have the crutch of your papers if necessary.
You save. Think about it – you’re busy, you have class, gas is expensive. Engaging in a phone interview requires little to no transportation time or costs. Typically you can choose the date and time that works best for you. Take advantage of this if you aren’t a morning person or have an exam a certain day. Enjoy the flexibility.
You can mute your environment. It’s easy to worry about outside interruptions. But it’s also easy to avoid them. Phones allow you to turn off call waiting. Conversations can be had with your roommates about the fact that you have an interview. If all else fails, Career Center interview rooms can be reserved on campus where you can sit alone and have this conversation. In reality, it’s your turf, so you have more control about what’s going on around you than you would if you were onsite at their office.
So, breathe. A phone interview is still an interview. Congratulate yourself and focus on the perks. Embrace your home court advantage, kick back in your sweatpants, and get ready to discuss how absolutely awesome you would be for the position.
