The phone interview is probably the most important step in your job search. Here's how to make sure you don't miss your chance.

Do you think the interview is the first step to getting your next job? Think Again. The majority of jobs start with a phone call; whether with a recruiter, a human resources manager or an employer - and sometimes all three. That said, before choosing your outfit or practicing your grip tomorrow, you must overcome the first obstacle: the telephone interview.

In the age of texting, Snapchat and hashtags, phone conversations are a lost art, but it's a skill that can be quickly mastered if you know the basics - and if you prepare in advance.

Before you pick up the phone, however, make sure you are ready to share your best professional profile with potential employers. Here are five expert tips that will help you get through the toughest phone interview situations.

1. Prepare as if it were an exam ... but use a note sheet!

Although you don't have the benefits of a face-to-face meeting, the best thing about a phone interview is that you can use notes instead of relying only on your memory to get through. important points. Remember to do your "cheat" sheets in advance to help you sell and demonstrate that you know the business well!

As soon as you get an interview, start your research on the company, the job and, if possible, the person who will interview you. The more prepared you are, the more comfortable you will be on the phone.

2.Create a place that makes you comfortable

No matter what you are wearing and no matter where you decide to take the call, be sure to find a quiet corner where the network is going well (if you are using your cell phone - which should be fully charged! ). If you have a landline, use it.

3.Speak clearly and gain confidence

You can't impress an interview with your smile on the phone, so you have to be enthusiastic and professional using only your voice.

After assessing your skills, the interviewers, by phone, judge first and foremost your level of interest in the role itself. Nothing is worse than a monotonous and boring conversation. Try to speak clearly and with some enthusiasm when faced with the opportunity.

4.Listen actively and take notes

Listening is one of the most underestimated skills in interviews, but it is vitally important. Active listening will not only help to pace the conversation, but it will also provide you with information that you can use later in the call.

Again, one of the benefits of the phone interview is that they can't see you taking notes. Scribble and use this information later to impress them with your sense of observation.

5. End the call with the next steps

One of the worst things after an interview is the feeling that you were left in the dark and that you did not know how things went, or what the next steps were. The good news is that you can prevent this from happening. Take a moment at the end of the interview to ask what to expect next.

Original article link : https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/Mastering-the-Phone-Interview