Prepping for a Phone Interview

Over at the Bio Job Blog, Clifford Mintz points to "tips for a successful phone interview." Because life science employers are increasingly turning to the phone interview as an initial candidate-screening tool due to the rising costs of bringing applicants in for in-person interviews, especially for those who reside in other countries, Mintz says, job-seekers ought to prepare themselves to be interviewed off-site. He refers to a post by Kevin Cormac at New Grad Life, who, in turn, offers seven things to consider when preparing for a phone interview. First and foremost, Cormac advises that candidates use a landline during the interview to avoid potential problems caused by poor cell service. Cormac suggests that interviewees keep their materials — résumé and CV — handy, "find a quiet place to interview," speak clearly and slowly, bearing in mind that the interviewer — blinded to body language — might not understand the subtle nuances of answers, refrain from eating, drinking, or chewing gum, and prepare questions ahead of time. Cormac says that because it's often "less intimidating interviewing over the phone," well-prepared interviewees should be confident that they'll have a successful phone interview.