Best Practices for Conducting Phone Interviews with Consultants (cont.)

Write Notes - An advantage to a phone interview is that you can look down at your notes freely while conducting the call as well as make notes without making the person anxious. Feel free to take notes, but inform the consultant that you will be doing so. This will help the consultant understand why there are pauses between each question.

Non-Verbal Body Language - The quality of your voice over the phone can be affected by your non-verbal body language. Keep smiling, as it will project a positive image to the listener and will change the tone of your voice. Maintain proper posture, as your voice quality will improve as you conduct the interview.

Maintain Professionalism - Just as in an in-person interview, use professional language. Listen carefully to the consultant's responses, and ask the consultant to repeat misunderstood words for you. Do not interrupt the consultant while they are responding, and redirect the consultant if they are off track. Though it may seem logical, do not chew gum, eat, or drink during the interview, however keep a glass of water handy, in case your voice becomes hoarse.

Be Upfront - It is especially important with a telephone interview to be upfront since it's easier for miscommunications to occur when both people are not in the room to interpret body language. Don't make any promises you cannot keep.