Phone Interview Etiquette

Answering Machines:  Make sure your answering machine has a professional sounding message. Remove any inappropriate language, music and other recordings. Employers begin to form an impression of you through their phone contact with you.

Return Employer Phone Calls Promptly:  Employers are very busy and do not want to spend unnecessary time contacting you. Return phone calls during normal business hours as soon as possible. The longer you wait to return a call, the greater the likelihood that employers will assume you are not interested in the position.

Interviewing Over the Phone:  Some employers may want to conduct an initial screening interview with you by phone.  Be prepared for this.  If you are not prepared to interview by phone when an employer calls, request to set up an interview appointment at a mutually convenient time. The interview should be set up within the same week the employer contacts you. Once a time has been set, make sure you do not miss the phone call. Most phone interviews last anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes.

Conducting the Phone Interview:  You should be prepared to discuss your qualifications, experience, skills, abilities and education as you would during a face to face interview.  Prepare ahead of time and outline the points you want to make on paper to make sure you cover all the necessary information.  Remember, the employer cannot see you, so it is appropriate to have a written outline in front of you to assist you in answering questions.  

Know What the Next Step Is:  Before the conversation ends, make sure you know the next step in the process.  Find out when you can expect the employer to contact you again or when it is best for you to call and follow up.

Interviewing Off-Campus:  If the employer invites you to an interview off campus, make sure you write down immediately all the pertinent information including the day and time of the interview, the business address and directions, the name(s) of the people you will be interviewing with and any other relevant information.   Be on time and take copies of your resume with you.

Follow-Up with Career Services: When an employer invites you for an interview, please let Career Services know for future reference.  Let us also know if you were offered a position and if you accepted.