Last updated on June 4, 2025.
Phone interviews can be a challenging experience. After all, body language and facial expressions account for 55 percent of in-person communication.¹ This means job seekers must convey their message well using the right tone and voice.
If you want to impress your next potential employer, you need to set the stage and focus on what you can do during phone interviews. In this article, we’ll provide tips and best practices that candidates can use to ace their next phone interview.
6 Practical Tips for Your Next Phone Job Interview
Whether you’re talking to a recruiter or directly to a hiring manager, these phone interview tips will increase your chances of landing a job.
1. Set the stage.
You’d be surprised how your physical appearance can change the way you handle phone interviews. It’s true that your recruiter won’t see how professional and prepared you look. It might even seem like a waste of time and resources.
However, according to a study at Columbia University, wearing formal clothing can change how you think, act, and process.² When used in formal settings, this allows candidates to position themselves better by seeing the bigger picture and showing the right attitude.
Dressing up is not just for impressing your peers or employers. In reality, it can also boost your confidence, eliminate negative and disruptive thoughts, and allow you to answer job interview questions correctly.
Read more: 6 Traits That Get You Hired in Manufacturing: Secrets to Impressing Employers
2. Eliminate distractions and noise.
Face-to-face interviews aren’t held at the center of the production floor. Usually, you and the interviewer meet in an office where you’ll discuss your abilities and experiences and showcase yourself. The same goes for a phone interview—it’s good to eliminate any distractions that might take you away from the meeting.
Find a quiet place where you’ll have zero interruptions. If you’re at home, go to your room, ask your family or friends to keep it down, or use a noise-cancelling headset. Phone screening interviews are crucial, and you’ll only have your words and voice to highlight your position. So make sure that your interviewer can hear you!
3. Prepare for smooth communication.
You wouldn’t want to accidentally hang up on your recruiter just because your phone isn’t juiced up. Recruiters usually notify candidates before calling. So, before the actual call, charge your phone. Make sure you’re accessible and your device isn’t on silent or do-not-disturb mode.
Some areas or spots in your house might have limited signal coverage, which can affect the quality of the call. If you want to go the extra mile, look for more accessible ways you can be contacted. You can send your phone messaging app number, like Viber, ahead of time. This will give your recruiter multiple ways to connect with you.
4. Prepare your phone interview cheat sheets.
You’re not in an office, and your interviewer can’t see you. Take this advantage to spread your notes in front of you. A phone interview usually lasts only a few minutes. This gives you a tiny window of opportunity to highlight your key skills—taking your sweet time is not an option.
Before the interview, have your resume ready. Underline the skills, experiences, tools, or equipment you want to showcase. You can also prepare a few questions that you could ask, like:
- What is the day-to-day operation like?
- What kind of training or onboarding should I expect?
- What are the most important qualities you’re looking for in a candidate?
- Are there growth opportunities or cross-training in this position?
Read more: The Right Role, Right Now: How to Land an Industrial Job That Matches Your Skills
5. Communicate more than words.
Your words will have more impact if you can genuinely express your enthusiasm and excitement about the job. It’s hard for an interviewer to assess whether you’re interested, so try to have your voice really convey what you’re feeling.
One of the things you can do is smile. Trust us, you can hear a smile. Try it! Close your eyes and say “I’m excited for this role” without smiling. Then say it again, but with a smile. Can you hear the difference?
6. Listen attentively.
Communication is a two-way street. So, don’t be passive on the other end of the phone. Of course, your interviewer will ask most of the questions, and you’ll provide the answers. But don’t forget to respond to their comments and explanations. You can say “I agree” or “that’s an interesting idea” every once in a while.
This indicates that you’re actively listening and involved in the conversation. Phone screening interviews can be daunting, since they’re short and one mistake can lead to rejection. But you’ll only position yourself negatively if you don’t converse. Remember, communication is key to a phone interview. After all, it’s the only thing you have at the moment.
9 Don’ts in a Phone Interview
While it’s good to know the best practices for phone interviews, you should also be aware of the don’ts. Here are nine common phone interview don’ts to take note of:
1. Don’t sound monotonous.
Nobody likes to speak with a robot, even if your interviewer sounds like one. Since your interviewer can’t see your facial expression, gestures, and other body language, sounding dull and uninterested might hurt your chances of being qualified.
Remember to speak with energy and smile!
2. Don’t interrupt the interviewer.
It’s easy to accidentally cut off someone over the phone when you can’t see visual cues. Always wait a few seconds before speaking or for your interviewer to give you the turn to speak.
3. Don’t multitask during the call.
Your interviewer might not see you, but your voice will give you away. If dressing professionally and smiling can affect the quality of your voice, so can glancing at a TV or skimming through your phone. Focus solely on the interview to show professionalism and enthusiasm.
4. Don’t speak too fast or too softly.
Aside from the possible interruptions over the line, speaking too fast may make you seem nervous or unclear. On the other hand, speaking too softly or too slowly might make it hard for the interviewer to understand you. Speaking clearly at a moderate pace is key to showing confidence and expressing yourself effectively.
5. Don’t give one-word or vague answers.
Depending on the question, you will need to elaborate to help your interviewer understand your value as an employee. Phone interviews are shorter and lack visual feedback. So, make sure to give meaningful responses that showcase your skills and enthusiasm.
6. Don’t forget to research the company.
Make sure to familiarize yourself with the company before the interview. Learn about their services, history, products, and industry. In a phone interview, you’ll need strong answers and understanding to stand out.
Read more: The Night Shift Advantage: Why Overnight and Weekend Work Could Be Your Ticket to Higher Pay
7. Don’t rely heavily on your notes.
Your notes should only serve as a reminder during interviews. Don’t read them word for word. This will only make you sound robotic and rehearsed, removing authenticity and sincerity in your responses.
8. Don’t be too casual or too formal.
Just because you’re at home doesn’t mean a phone interview can be informal. Be polite, professional, and respectful in your responses. Conversely, don’t be too formal. If your interviewer has a friendly or upbeat tone, try to loosen up. It’s a good idea to mirror the interviewer’s approach to make a great conversation.
9. Don’t express your salary expectations just yet.
A phone interview is usually an initial screening process where interviewers assess candidates before a formal in-person interview. Asking about salary might signal that you’re more interested in a paycheck than the position, affecting your chances of qualifying for the next stage.
Read more: Navigating the Application Process: What to Expect When Applying for Light Industrial Jobs
Ready for your next interview? Find your dream job with Horizon America.
Following these tips will help you come across as prepared, engaged, and interested in the position. They can make the difference between a ho-hum and a stand-out-in-the-crowd interview. If you want the position, make sure to convey the right message.
At Horizon America, we connect light industrial and manufacturing candidates with the right companies. If you’re looking to land a great job opportunity, give us a call! We’d love to hear from you.
References
- “Mehrabian’s 7-38-55 Communication Model: It’s More Than Words.” World of Work, https://worldofwork.io/2019/07/mehrabians-7-38-55-communication-model/. 2 May 2025.
- Slepian, Michael et al. “The Cognitive Consequences of Formal Clothing.” Columbia University, 2015, https://www.columbia.edu/~ms4992/Publications/2015_Slepian-Ferber-Gold-Rutchick_Clothing-Formality_SPPS.pdf
