In a recent blog, I discussed strategies for making a great 1st impression.  What is the best way to make a great 1st impression when the interview is not in person?  How do you NAIL IT?

1. Never be caught unprepared.  If you receive an unexpected call for a phone interview and feel unprepared, request a time (within a few hours) to conduct the phone interview.  This gives you time to prepare things such as good questions (3-5, more than that should be in-person), researching the company/person calling and other critical items.
2. Always prepare like it is an in person interview.  Anytime I have conducted a phone interview and hear shuffling of paper, or keyboard strokes, it is a huge negative (I may assume you are cheating with Google)!  If it helps, put on your interview suit and conduct the phone interview in full interview mode.
3. Interview in a quiet place with limited NO distractions!  No matter who/what the distraction is (children, pets, spouses, Publishers Clearinghouse at the door with your check), NO DISTRACTIONS!
4. Land line.  Essential!  Phone interviews while driving will drop off (no matter your provider), they will break up and you can not focus on the road and the 1st step in the interview process.
5. Initiate request for in person interview and open the door for more information about yourself.  Be certain to ask for the in-person ASAP.  Your schedule IS clear at some point in the next 72 business hours!  Yes, it really is!
6. Talk with confidence.  Confidence will come across in your voice, in your answers.  Confidence is a direct reflection of your preparation and practice.  Do both of these relentlessly.

Follow these simple NAIL IT principles and you will have an advantage over +75% of other candidates.  I am constantly amazed at the number of people who blow the phone interview because they do not take it as a serious part of the process.  Don’t be that person.