You should prepare for telephone / video interviews with the same care as for face-to-face ones:

Preparation

•  Write 4 lists a week or so before interview if you can, keep the lists on a piece of paper in your back pocket or on a doc on your phone and read them 5 to 10 times a day to learn the contents. The lists will contain…

1.  Your top 5 professional strengths, with an example of how you have used each one.

2.  Your top 5 professional or personal achievements, with the back story. These can be grand sweeping achievements, or small ones where you have overcome a problem, doesn’t matter, as long as it shows you’ve gone the extra mile and done something.

3.  Get the job description, print it off or copy and paste onto a document, and write a note by each point explaining how you fit that criteria.

4.  Any questions you have for them.

The point of doing this is to then try to work these points into your interview. If you do so, you will tell them (1) what you are good at, (2) what you have done before, (3) how you can do their job, and (4) will cover the information you need from them. This preparation will also stop you going blank at interview and forgetting to say/ask something important. If these notes are on paper there’s nothing to stop you discreetly having them on a desk in front of you during an interview as an aide-mémoire. Don’t have them on ascreened device with screen glare shining up into your chin, instant fail.

•  Readthe company website.

•  Play their games, use their tech, use their apps, and research their product history.

•  Research the company online, their history, founders etc.

•  Read the Linkedin profile, Moby Games, IMDB, Social Media profiles of your interviewer (if you have their name) so you have a good idea of the person who you are speaking to.

•  If it is a video interview, make sure you look as presentable as you would for a face to face interview.

Managingthe Interview

•  If a phone call, try to take the call on a landline if possible, suggest a better time if you are caught on your mobile with a poor network or distracting background noise. 

•  If you do have to use a mobile, turn call-waiting off so your call isn't interrupted.

•  If you have an answering machine, make sure the message sounds professional and family is briefed to take a detailed message

•  Make sure you are prepared. Keep all your interview details, CV, company research,pencil, paper and a diary (in case they want to hear more!) to hand where you can find it at very short notice. 

•  Answer the phone in a professional manner as if you were at work, and make sure there is no noise in the background.

•  Learn the names of the interviewers so that you can repeat the names during the interview to create rapport. 

•  Beaware of how your voice sounds over the phone – maybe practice on the telephone with a friend, or record some practice answers. 

Duringthe Phone Interview 

•  Don't smoke, chew gum, eat, or drink. Do keep a glass of water handy, in case you need to wet your mouth. 

•  Use the person's first name from time to time to help create rapport.

•  Don't interrupt the interviewer. Speak slowly and enunciate clearly. 

•  Take your time - it's perfectly acceptable to take a moment or two to collect your thoughts. 

•  Give short answers and do not ramble. Ask the interviewer to repeat the question if you don’t fully understand it.

•  Show enthusiasm for the job and company, even if you are unsure about the company orthe role.

•  Don’t commit on questions on salary expectations if you do not know the local marketplace. “I am not familiar with local wage rates. I will take the rate for the job.” is always a safe answer. Another good approach is to give a range, from minimum you could accept to what you would really like at the top end. £40K to £50K for example. Ask your consultant about what is realistic for the role,location and your skills and experience.

•  Rememberyour goal is to set-up a face-to-face interview. After you thank the interviewer, ask when you are likely to hear about a face to face interview. 

•  Smile. Smiling will project a positive image to the listener and will change the tone of your voice. 

•  Standup! (Or at least sit up straight). Your voice will sound louder, confident and more assertive than if you slouch or lie down. 

•  Tell them you want the job if you want it. This can sway the interviewer if there is any doubt.

•  Companies don’t like to hear that you are working on your own projects usually, or that you have ambitions elsewhere, they want you engaged with what they are doing. If you are doing your own thing in your spare time, be careful not to give the impression that there’s something else you’d rather be doing, that’s an instant fail every time.

Afterthe Phone Interview 

•  Give feedback to your Big Planet Consultant. Only with your feedback will your consultant be able to help you press for a face-to-face interview. Your consultant can pass on positive feedback which can often help moving an interview forward to the next stage.