While you are conducting your dental job search, you will probably be asked at some point to complete a phone interview. And if you are asked to do a phone interview, it will probably be spur of the moment.

This means that you need to be prepared for any phone interview that comes your way, to help move the hiring process along as quickly as possible. 

Especially during the Coronavirus pandemic that we are currently living through, it is much more likely that you will be asked to do phone interviews rather than coming in for an in-person interview at the dental office for health and safety reasons. 

Even when there is not a pandemic going on, a lot of companies will still want to start the interview process with an initial phone interview anyway.

It is a great way for recruiters and hiring managers to see if you have the proper experience and qualifications for the role, without the hassle of bringing you in for an in-person interview yet. Once they believe you could possibly be a good fit, they will then ask you to come into the office. 

Regardless of the circumstances at hand, it is extremely beneficial to know how to properly interview over the phone.

Here are 8 phone interview tips that will help you stand out against other candidates, and get hired for your dream dental job. 

1. Know Who Will Be Calling You 

One of the most important parts of a phone interview is to know who will be calling you. 

As soon as you are contacted to do a phone interview, make sure that you ask exactly who will be conducting your interview.

Do a quick search of that person, by looking on LinkedIn and the company website to see who they are and what their role is within the company. 

Knowing what their position is will help you to better understand what kind of questions will be discussed in the phone interview. 

If they are a recruiter for the company, the questions may be more basic about your past experience, schooling, and qualifications. If they are a hiring manager or will be your boss or supervisor, then their questions will more likely be more detailed and specific to the position. 

2. Prepare Answers for Common Interview Questions 

A great way to make sure that your phone interview goes smoothly and successfully is to prepare what your answers would be to common interview questions that are often asked. 

If you write them out either with a pen and paper or on a physical document, you can re-read your answers out loud to practice before the phone interview takes place. 

By having them written down you can also refer to them during the phone interview so that you do not forget your well thought-out answers.

Here are some common interview questions that you can prepare answers for:

3. Research the Company

Learning things about the company such as who they are and what they do, as well as the goals and vision of the company are beneficial to know during your phone interview.

Research the company by looking on their website and their social media accounts, and take notes as you go. 

Write out interesting facts about the company and any questions that you may have about the company and the position, so that you can refer to the facts or ask the questions throughout the phone interview. 

This lets the interviewer know that you indeed did your research, and that you are passionate about the company and the open position. 

4. Keep Your Job Materials Nearby

Just like how we discussed keeping the answers to commonly asked interview questions nearby during the phone interview, it is important to keep your other job materials nearby too.

Have your resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile open and ready to look at while you are doing your phone interview.

Also have the job posting with the job description as well as the company website open as well, so that you can refer to them for any questions or inquiries you may have about the position or company during the phone interview. 

5. Plan to Complete the Phone Interview in a Quiet Place

Planning a quiet place to do your phone interview is a crucial part of completing a successful phone interview.

If you are somewhere where there is loud construction, lots of traffic, or people around you it will lead to a lot of distraction during the phone interview. 

To make sure that your interview runs smoothly on your part, ensure that you are somewhere quiet when you answer the phone. 

Try your best not to have other people and pets around you, and turn off your TV, phone, and speakers if you are home. 

If you can be home alone or at least undistracted by others then that is great, but if not, try to book a meeting room or office that you know will be as quiet as possible. 

6. Take Notes 

A great tip to implement during your phone interview is to take notes throughout the interview. 

Write down what is going on during the interview, and take detailed notes on what the interviewer is asking you and is saying to you.

Refer back to the notes that you take throughout the interview as well, by either referencing back to something the interviewer said or by creating a question to address something that was discussed.

This allows the interviewer to know that you are attentive and determined to do well in the interview and eventually land that job. 

7. Smile Throughout the Phone Interview 

Even though this may sound a little cliche, it is beneficial to smile throughout the phone interview. 

Smiling even when you are on the phone helps to change the tone of your voice, which can make it sound more positive and professional. 

It can also add more enthusiasm and energy to your phone call, which will leave a positive impact on the interviewer. This helps them to know that you will be a good candidate for the role, as well as a good culture fit for the office. 

8. Consider Your Ideal Salary

It is common for interviewers to ask about your ideal salary, especially during phone interviews. This allows them to understand what your salary expectations are before moving forward. 

Think about how much you have made in your previous roles, and research the average salary for the position in your area. 

Make sure that you consider the amount of previous experience you have, your education, your qualifications, and the location that you will be working in while considering a proper salary. 

It is best to give a salary range when asked about your salary expectations, rather than giving them a direct number. Doing this lets them know that you are flexible, but have a good understanding of what you are looking for.