By Jeff Altman, Big Game Hunter
Phone interviews exist for one reason: to remove you from the candidate pool. Companies sift through mountains of resumes and use phone screening as a quick screening tool. Your resume has gotten you this far—now you need to prove that you’re worthy of meeting in person.
Why Most People Bomb Phone Interviews
This is where people get confused: they treat phone interviews like casual conversations. They answer calls while watching their kids, doing laundry, or multitasking on the computer. Since interviewers can’t see them, candidates think professionalism is less important. Wrong. Recruiters are listening for red flags, and distractions will be loud and clear in your voice.
Be prepared like your career depends on it
Research the company before you call—not just their homepage, but recent news, social media posts, and the problems they’re trying to solve. Then prepare specific examples to demonstrate that you can meet their needs. Most phone screens ask the predictable questions: “Tell me about yourself,” “Why do you take this position,” and “Take me through your resume.” Write down your answers and practice them out loud until they sound natural rather than rehearsed.
Control your environment
Find a quiet room with zero background noise—no barking dogs, no lawnmowers, no screaming children. Keep water nearby as nerves can quickly dry out your mouth. Have your resume, job description, and notes in front of you, but don’t read them verbatim or you’ll sound robotic.
Show energy through sound
Stand up during the interview – this will make you sound more confident and energetic. Smile when you speak, even if they can’t see you, as this will change your tone. Keep your answers concise and relevant to their question. Use verbal acknowledgments like “I see” or “That makes sense” so they know you’re engaged. For the love of all things sacred, come prepared with thoughtful questions at the end of the call.
Ⓒ Big Game Hunters, Asheville, NC 2025
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About Big Game Hunter Jeff Altman
People hire “Big Game Hunter” Jeff Altman to provide no-nonsense job coaching and career advice around the world because he excels at job hunting And get ahead in your career more easily.
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Schedule a discovery call to discuss one-on-one or group coaching with me during your job search: www.TheBigGameHunter.us.
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He is the host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 job search podcast on iTunes with over 2,900 episodes in over 13 years.
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