Many companies conduct phone interviews as a way to pre-screen applicants. These types of interviews help employers narrow down a large pool of candidates. Although very few individuals are hired based solely on the phone interview, it allows prospective employers and job candidates to test the waters. The best thing to do on a phone interview is to relax, be professional, and let the hiring manager know why you are the best person for the job. Here are some tips to help you prepare:

Be prepared ahead of time. You should know who the person is that you will be speaking to during the interview. Do some research about the company or organization before the phone interview so that you can discuss it intelligently. You should research the company's products or services, customers, founders, industry, etc. A candidate who knows nothing about the employer that they are interviewing with may appear unprepared and not really interested in the position. The company's website or brochure would be a good place to start.

Have a copy of your resume in front of you. It is a good idea to keep a copy of your resume in front of you during the phone interview. This helps you refer back to your resume when explaining your employment history, education, and experience.

Know how to answer different questions. Your prospective employer will want to get to know about you over the phone. Some typical interview questions include: "How did you hear about us?", "What do you think you can bring to the team?", "What is your work style?" etc.

Stay calm. Try not to be nervous and remain calm and upbeat during the interview. Most skilled interviewers will begin with easy questions to give you some time to relax, however not all interviewers are skilled in this area. A good technique used to stay calm and build confidence is to practice answering questions beforehand so that you have an idea of what to say and how to say it.

Eliminate any distractions. As the time of the phone interview draws nearer, make sure that your radio and television are turned off. Close your email, IM, and turn off your computer screen. You may even want to disable the call waiting feature. Let your family know the timing of the interview so they don't accidentally interrupt you.

Your tone of voice. Make sure that you speak clearly and slowly. A lot of people get nervous during phone interviews and make the mistake of mumbling their words. Try not to sound anxious or rushed when answering questions.

Be mindful of your surroundings. Don't conduct the phone interview where there are too many background distractions or excessive noise. Avoid walking from one place to another as you may become breathless which is the result of walking and talking at the same time.

Following these basic tips will allow you to make a great first impression and may lead to an in-person interview at the company's office. Remember, the phone interview is a very important step in the hiring process, so prepare ahead of time just as you would for an in-person interview.

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