Phone interviews can be tough, but preparation is the key to success.
Academic phone interviews can be intimidating. There is plenty you can do before the phone rings to prepare for the interview and make it a great experience for both you and the interviewer. By preparing as you would for a regular interview, dressed professionally and all, you'll be able to knock an academic phone interview out of the park.
Dress Professionally
Dressing up for a phone interview may sound silly, but according to the Chronicle of Higher Education, students have said that dressing up for an interview, whether you'll be seen or not, puts your mind into a professional mode. You'll be much more likely to think and respond to questions with a formal attitude if you are dressed up and prepared rather than still in your pajamas. Dress as you would for a normal interview, and sit at a desk or kitchen table versus a couch or bed to get the full effect of being at an interview.
Research the School
Research the school that you will be having the interview with. Key notes to have are the current graduation rate, the amount of students currently enrolled in the school, the major you are interested in and why that school has sparked your interest in the subject, as well as questions about extracurriculars pertaining to that major. You'd be surprised as to how far a small amount of research can go in winning over your interviewer. Being able to discuss the academic program during the interview versus the interviewer having to explain it to you allows time for you to create a relationship with the interviewer. This will help him remember you later on.
Speak in Sound Bites
The worst answer to a question is a simple "yes" or "no." Always follow up each answer to a question with an example of something you've done to prove your answer, or with another question. For example, if the interviewer asks you if you consider yourself to be a team leader, you can say: "Yes. During my senior year in high school I took on the role of class president and raised over $2,000 for the graduation ceremony."
Be sure to prepare concrete examples for questions before you go into the interview so you'll be comfortable. Good examples could be how you've shown leadership in the past, how you've excelled throughout controversy and how you've overcome your personal weaknesses.
Follow-up
Just because the interview took place over the phone doesn't mean that you shouldn't send the interviewer a quick, handwritten thank-you note for taking the time to speak with you. Address at least one topic that you discussed during your phone interview within the note to give it a personal touch.
Tags: answer question, phone interview