13 phone interview mistakes that may cause your rejection

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When the number of job applicants is high, it would be impossible to interview every single candidate in person. So, as a preliminary screening method, phone interviews offer employers the chance to eliminate the candidates whose CVs and qualifications do not match what they are looking for. This leaves the employers with the better choice of candidates to be sent to the next round.

Your CV might be impeccable, but if you lack the interview skills, consider your chances gone with the wind. You have to learn how to sell yourself. A few of the skills needed to ace a phone interview are listening and speaking skills - and without doubt, phone etiquette. You should know how to take things seriously and train yourself for every step in the recruitment process.

Bayt.com, the Middle East’s #1 Job Site, has compiled the 13 most common mistakes job seekers make during phone interviews, which most-likely demolish their chances of getting the job:

1. Not answering the phone at the set time

Make sure that you are actually available at the time of the interview. If an emergency arises, reschedule. Otherwise, it will reflect poorly on your professionalism and how serious you are about your career.

2. The wrong tone of voice

Your voice reflects your personality during a phone interview, as it is the closest thing to body language an employer can read. The employer can predict your personality simply by listening to your voice. This is why you should avoid sounding shy, hesitant, scared, or arrogant.

3. Being uninteresting

Try to sound excited and keep the recruiter interested in what you have to say. Your enthusiasm should infiltrate your answers, and certainly steer clear from the awkward “uh”s and “um”s.

4. Ignoring the recruiter

What is the point of the phone interview if you are going to talk to someone else and leave the employer waiting? Be fully focused on your conversation.

5. Giving random answers

Listen closely to what the employer is saying and reply accordingly. Keep a piece of paper with you while being interviewed so you can write down any important points you want to elaborate on. This helps you stay focused and not throw in random and irrelevant answers.

6. Eating while on the phone

A phone interview is just like a regular physical face-to-face interview. Would you eat during that? Just remember that it is one of the most unprofessional behaviors during a phone call - with a recruiter or anyone really.

7. Taking the call casually

There’s nothing more irritating to an employer than not being taken seriously. Try to find a quiet spot and give them your undivided attention.

Similar to eating, yawning can reflect negatively on you. Make sure you have slept enough and are well-energized for your call.

9. Diverging from the question

If you don’t understand the question, simply ask the interviewer to repeat or elaborate. Don’t take this as a chance to stray away from the question being asked. The recruiter is looking for very specific, relevant, and confident answers.

10. Speaking too loudly or too quietly

When speaking, don’t go to either extreme in terms of volume; they are certainly deal breakers for the interviewer.

11. Asking about the salary too early

Quite a number of job seekers - mainly fresh graduates - tend to start by asking about the salary. Of course, compensation should be a major concern. However, if that’s the only thing you are considering when choosing a job, it is not really a substantial career move and it will certainly show the recruiter that your values and goals are purely financial.

12. Losing interest right away

Never say you are not interested straight away. You may blow your chances before even getting details about the job at hand. Always ask for more details, as the job might end up being a great fit for you. After all, love is not always at first sight.

13. Interrupting constantly

Let the recruiter speak. Not letting them finish sharing information and interrupting their questions will break their chain of thoughts. Do you really want to upset the recruiter who wants to offer you the dream job?