Phone Interview Etiquette: Nail the Call, Move On
By Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter
Phone interviews are typically used by hiring managers to screen possible hires rather than having to invite all of them in for longer face to face interviews. It is used to then cull the list of potential candidates down to a smaller group of people who meet certain criteria and appear to be suitable for the job.In my experience, employers who I’ve worked with who utilize phone interviews often do so for two main reasons.
First they might be the type of hiring manager who for whatever reason likes to start with a large group of potential candidates and then quickly go through the list to identify a smaller group that they want to interview face to face in more detail. Secondly, hiring managers often utilize the phone interview as a method of interviewing out of town candidates who don’t live in the same city (or state/province/country) as the hiring company.
When you have a phone interview set up you need to keep a few things in mind:
The person interviewing you can’t see you (and you obviously can’t see them either) so remember that they are judging not only what you say, but how you say it.
Ensure that you are in a quiet place when the phone interview occurs.
Ensure that you answer the phone at the time the interview takes place. Don’t miss the call!
Don’t get distracted during the interview. Ensure you are alone and can’t be distracted by anyone or anything.
If you’re using a cell, make sure you have good reception and that it’s fully charged.
As with a face to face interview, try to get an idea from the person interviewing you what happens next in the interview process before the call ends ie. When will you hear back from them? Is there a face to face interview next?
Phone interviews are not casual chats; they are structured gatekeeping tools hiring managers use to narrow a large applicant pool down to a smaller, more serious slate of candidates who appear to meet the requirements and are worth a deeper conversation. When you treat a phone interview with the same seriousness as a face-to-face meeting, you immediately separate yourself from the people who sound distracted, unprepared, or unprofessional.
Why Employers Use Phone Interviews
Hiring managers lean on phone interviews to quickly screen a large group of applicants without investing time in back‑to‑back in‑person meetings. They also use them to evaluate candidates who live in other cities, states, or countries before spending money or time bringing them onsite. The goal of this stage is simple: reduce the list to a small group that clearly fits the role and seems worth a deeper conversation.
Mindset: Voice Is Your First Impression
Because the interviewer cannot see you, every impression is built from your voice, your pacing, and how clearly you communicate. You are being judged on what you say and how you say it—tone, confidence, energy, and professionalism all come through the phone line. Think “on‑the‑phone presence” the same way you think “executive presence” in person.
Set Yourself Up Before the Call
Treat the phone interview like a real appointment: be ready a few minutes early, centered, and not scrambling. Choose a quiet, private space where you will not be interrupted—no TV, no roommates walking through, no kids or pets in the background. If you are using a cell phone, make sure the battery is fully charged and the reception is rock solid; if in doubt, default to a landline or the most reliable device you have.
During the Call: Professional Phone Etiquette
Answer the call on time and professionally, using your name so the interviewer knows they reached the right person. Do not multitask—no email, no browsing, no cooking, no driving—because distraction always leaks into your voice and slows your responses. Speak clearly and at a reasonable pace, listen all the way through each question, and avoid interrupting; if you miss something, ask the interviewer to repeat or clarify rather than guessing.
Phone‑Friendly Habits That Help You Shine
Avoid eating, smoking, or chewing gum during the interview, but keep a glass of water nearby in case your mouth gets dry. Consider standing or sitting upright instead of slouching; posture directly affects how strong and focused your voice sounds. Smiling while you talk helps your tone come across as more positive and engaged, even though the interviewer cannot see you.
Before You Hang Up: Clarify Next Steps
As with a face‑to‑face interview, do not let the call end without getting clarity on what happens next. Ask when you can expect to hear back, whether there will be a video or in‑person round, and if there is anything else they need from you to move forward. This reinforces your professionalism and makes the process feel more predictable instead of leaving you wondering what just happened after you hang up.
Ⓒ The Big Game Hunter, Inc., Asheville, NC 2025
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ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER
Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter is a coach who worked as a recruiter for what seems like one hundred years. His work involves career coaching, as well as executive job search coaching, job coaching, and interview coaching. He is the producer and former host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for job search with over 3000 episodes.
Are you interested in 1:1 coaching, interview coaching, advice about networking more effectively, how to negotiate your offer or leadership coaching? Schedule a discovery call at my website, www.TheBigGameHunter.us
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