A lot of companies these days use phone interviews. With just a simple phone call, they can save time by eliminating the not-so good candidates. For the applicants, though, this is going to be a make-or-break step.

To breeze through the phone interview, consider the following tips:

• Expect a call.
You did not submit your resume for no reason. You somehow hope the company will contact you for an interview. Expecting the call is good for you. This will reduce the nervousness you are going to feel during the actual call. You will also be forced to make more preparations.

• Carry your resume around.
Some HR officers will call you beforehand, telling you the interview schedule. Most, however, do not. Just to be sure, have your resume ready at all times. Although you can keep all information in your head, you really don’t want to count on that. It is common for job-seekers to suffer from mental block when under a lot of pressure.

• Stay away from the crowd.
Also, stay away from places with too many people. These include the mall, market, department store, children’s playground, busy streets, etc.

It is very important for you to hear the caller’s voice very clearly. Requesting the interviewer to repeat the questions can sometimes be very awkward. A quiet environment will make the conversation more pleasant.

• Turn off call waiting.
To avoid any interruption during the conversation, turn off phone features that may cut the line. This includes the call waiting feature.

• Speak slowly.
There are two reasons for this. First, the slowness will give you enough time to compose your thoughts while you speak. Second, your voice will be heard very clearly on the other line.

• Give different contact details.
Besides your cell phone, provide your landline number. This way, if you can’t be reached through your mobile, the company has another alternative. Sometimes, a number of mobile phones do not function well and are very prone to lost signal, low battery, and frequent interference.

• Consider giving other alternatives.
Sometimes the call may happen while you are in a tight situation or when you are driving. If this happens, be frank enough to tell the interviewer of your condition and why you cannot take the call just yet. After declining, suggest another option or tell the caller to call you back within minutes.

• Practice the interview.
You can come up, prepare, and practice with standard telephone interview questions. Have someone call you up and answer the questions as if you are really talking to a company interviewer. Allow the other person to assess you. By practicing, you can minimize dead times and pauses.

• Take down notes.
If you passed the phone interview, you will be asked for another interview – this time it’s an actual one. Some of the questions asked during the phone interview might be raised again. Sometimes, you will be asked to confirm some of your previous answers. For consistency, take down notes during the phone interview. You can also record it. Just ask for the caller’s permission first to record the phone call.