If you have a phone interview coming up, you may think it will be a breeze. However, in many ways, it can be more difficult to “sell” yourself over the phone than it is in person. To make an impactful impression on a hiring manager, it’s important to realize that phone interviews require a different approach than traditional in-person interviews. Here are some tips for acing your next phone interview and making a great impression on locum tenens recruiters:
Treat it as an in-person interview. Just because you can wear pajamas and lounge on your bed during a phone interview doesn’t mean you should! When it comes to phone interviews, the expression, “when you look good, you feel good” often rings true. Just as you would dress up and present yourself professionally for an in-person interview, prepare the same way for a phone interview. This is because interview preparation is highly psychological. If you look the part, you’ll likely feel more confident answering interview questions and projecting yourself in the most professional way over the phone.
Ask questions. During a phone interview, it’s critical you ask meaningful, well-thought-out questions. Because the hiring manager won’t be able to see your facial expressions or body language, asking questions is one of the only ways you can express interest in the position and the company. Remember, you can have written notes right in front of you during an interview! When researching the employer, take the time to draft at least two or three questions that reflect your existing knowledge of the company. You’ll impress the recruiter by asking intelligent questions while learning more about the position in the process!
Follow up after the interview. While a phone interview can seem fleeting by nature, it’s important to follow up with the recruiter in a timely fashion. At the end of your phone conversation, ask the recruiter for their email address so you can stay in touch. In your follow-up note, reinforce your interest in the position and express appreciation for the interviewer’s time and consideration. Sending a follow-up email also presents a great opportunity to reiterate your contact information so the recruiter can easily get a hold of you.
In the locum tenens field, phone interviews are almost always part of the interviewing process. By becoming comfortable speaking about your qualifications over the phone, you’ll make yourself a more marketable candidate to recruiters – ultimately setting yourself up for a successful locum tenens career.
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