How to handle a telephone interview

Use our checklist to tackle your telephone interview with confidence and get
through to the next stage of the application process for your graduate job.

Many graduate recruiters do their first interview over the phone. The
telephone interview is a tool for the recruiter to assess whether you are a
serious applicant and decide whether or not to take you further through
the application process. The questions are more likely to focus more on
your general competences and skills. Your aim is to try to show your
enthusiasm and commitment in a short conversation.
The positive thing about phone interviews is that they are quicker and
more convenient for both you and the interviewer than arranging a
preliminary meeting face-to-face. If the job youre applying for relies as
much on your personality or telephone skills as on qualifications and
experience, the recruiter will be particularly interested in how you come
across. However, phone interviews can be difficult because neither party
can see the other, so the usual visual clues are absent.

Research and plan your telephone interview

Practise before the interview
Control your environment
Stay calm
Be professional
Remember this is only the preliminary round
Take notes