How to Be More Personable in Phone Interviews

How to Be More Personable in Phone InterviewsHow to Be More Personable in Phone Interviews20If you thought an in-person job interview was tough to handle (think uncomfortable suit, sweaty palms, not knowing where to sit, etc.), the phone interview can be even tougher. Without being able to rely on body language or even facial expressions, its even harder to establish a mora personal connection in phone interviews. Or is it?Become more personable in phone interviews- and land the job- with these tips.Smile as you speak. Sure, the hiring manager cant see that youre smiling, but that doesnt mean that you shouldnt. If you are talking about a previously positive work experience, smile as you tell the story. Not only will your voice will sound friendlier, but smiling as youre speaking is a known stress-reducer. Alleviating some stress can help you relax which, in turn, can help you do better on your job interview.Practice a story. You should always have a story that you can tell during a j ob interview that can help break the ice during a phone interview. It might be something work-related (like how you helped implement a program that helped save the company time and money) or it could be something personal (e.g., your volunteering efforts at your local community center). While you should know the most important facts of the story inside and out, you can practice telling it a few times- just be sure that it doesnt come off sounding too rehearsed.Do your research.Savvy job seekers know that establishing a connection to a potential boss can make or break the job interview. So if you know who youll be interviewing with, you should make every effort to do research to find out some information on him- on LinkedIn, for example. You might talk about the time you worked as a marketing specialist, knowing that your boss-to-be also worked as one at the beginning of his career. Being able to bond over shared experiences can help make you more relatable, more memorable, and the c andidate to beat.Dont be a yes person. In an effort to impress your interviewer, youre finding yourself agreeing with pretty much everything that your prospective boss is saying. Thing is, your boss wants to know what youre really thinking he doesnt want you to just repeat everything hes saying. (And the last thing you want to do is give a bad phone impression) Dont be afraid to tell your boss-to-be what you want to say, as long as you do it in a respectful way.Let it flow. Just like in any conversation, there should be a natural rhythm. Let your interviewer finish speaking before jumping in to answer his question. You should never feel rushed to spit out a response, because that can come across as being nervous and unsure of your answers- and yourself. Pretend that your phone interview is simply a conversation between the two of you. That way, it can help you to focus on actually having fun during your job interview and represent your skills and experience in the best possible ligh t.There are many ways in which you can let your personality shine during a job interview. Being prepared and proud of your accomplishments can help you to relax and show who you really are to a potential boss.Readers, how do you let your personality show in phone interviews? Let us know in the comments