A few tips for Phone Interviews

1. If you receive an unexpected call from a recruiter or hiring manager and are not able to speak to them, then ask them to call you back or if you may call them back. It is better to do that, then to risk not being able to focus or not hearing them correctly, etc.

• If you are in a noisy place and do take the call, make sure the recruiter or hiring manager is able to hear you correctly.
• Today most recruiters will send an email to schedule a call, but it is important to always be at your best if you answer that unknown number as first impressions really do last! 

2. When writing or scheduling a phone call, always write very professionally. This is important as you are displaying your writing skills. If the tone of the email you receive is causal or has mistakes in it, you still want your email to be professional. 

• This is a common mistake that applicants fall into as a fyi. Many applicants do not spell check, write in shorthand or write as if they are "texting".   

3. When speaking on the phone with a recruiter or hiring manager - stand up. This helps to project your voice and helps you to sound enthusiastic. Make sure that you end your statements with a smile as that will help too! It is important to sound excited about the position over the phone! 

• Remember that recruiters/hiring managers want to speak with applicants that sound like they are interested in their position/company. 

4. Be ready for basic interview questions: 

• Why are you interested in this position or why did you apply?
• What is your salary range?
• What do you know about our company or this position?
• Have the website to the company open and the position description in front of you
• Where are you currently working?
• If you are not working currently, speak to what you have been doing during your unemployment (taking classes, staying involved in the industry/reading, volunteering, interning, etc.)
• How will this position help you with your career goals?
• What is your availability to come in for a interview?
• Have your schedule at your fingertips so you are prepared to be available! 

5. Salary expectations will be asked about 90% of the time. This is a tricky question, I know this, but at the same time it is extremely important for recruiters to be able to know if you are within the range of the position. 

• Do your research! Go to the company website and see if job grades or ranges are available. This is often located in the employment section of a employer's website.
• Ask what the range of the position is and if no response is given, then use your research to target the mid range, then go slightly below and above the mid range with a range of figures.
• Give a broad range if you do not have a target salary in mind.
• If you know a salary range that you have in mind and will not go lower then state your range. 
• Target a bit above what you want, but do not go too high if you have not done your research.
• There is no easy way to get around this except to state you are open to a discussion if you are offered the position.