Phone interviews are a critical first step toward landing a job, but a lot of engineers make the mistake of writing off phone interviews as less important than face-to-face interviews. However, if you don’t make a great impression on a phone interview, you won’t be invited to advance in the process. Use these tips to make a great impression on your next phone interview.

Confirm the Meeting Date and Time

Twenty-four hours before your scheduled phone interview time, reach out to the person who scheduled the call and confirm the appointment. This will show that you are detail-oriented, conscientious and you’re taking the phone interview seriously.

Review and Prepare

Block off time the night before the call to review the job posting and all your organizational research to keep information about the employer and the position fresh in your mind. Print out a copy of the job posting and keep it next to you during the call, along with a copy of your resume.

Dress Professionally

If you’re home for a phone interview, don’t be tempted to take the call in your PJs or your sweats. Instead, dress like you’re on your way to work. This will put you in the right state of mind. Make sure to sit at your desk or at a table, rather than lounging on the couch, which can put you in a lazy frame of mind.

Show up Early

Sit down with everything you need at least ten minutes before the call. You can use the time to review your notes one more time, but make sure that your phone is next to you and you’re ready to go. You never know whether the interviewer will call you a few minutes early. If you are the one placing the call, make sure to dial at the precisely scheduled time.

Ask Great Questions

The entire purpose of a phone interview is to get a feeling for whether or not you’re actually a match for the role. You want to ask questions that show you are also assessing fit. Don’t get into things like benefits on a first call, unless the interviewer brings up the subject first. Instead, focus on questions related to the role itself and never hang up without asking about the next steps.

Send a Thank You

Lots of professionals make the mistake of skipping a thank-you note after a phone interview. If you want to stand out and make a great impression, take the time to send a thank-you email after the interview is over. Keep it brief, reiterating your interest in the position and your understanding of how the next steps will go. When it comes time to schedule personal interviews, you don’t want to be the person who didn’t send a thank-you note.

If you are an experienced engineering professional seeking new opportunities and are ready to jumpstart your search, reach out to PEAK Technical Staffing today or submit your resume online for one of our current openings.

About PEAK

PEAK Technical Staffing can help connect you with employers and opportunities that leverage your engineering expertise and advance your career. We partner with employers nationwide who are looking for people with your skills and experience. Since 1968 PEAK has helped engineering professionals find jobs that offer flexibility, challenges and rewards.

Take a look at some of the engineering jobs we offer:

• Controls Engineer
• Mechanical Engineer
• Design Engineer

If you are looking for employers and opportunities that will take your engineering career to the next level and help you achieve your goals, contact a PEAK recruitment expert today.