January 17

Phone Interview Tips – #22: Don’t Talk Too Much

Finding a Job, Getting Hired, Interviewing Skills and Tips, Job Interview Advice, Job Interview Preparation, Job Interview Questions and Answers, Job Interview Skills, Job Search, Job Search Success, Job Search Tips, Jobseekers, Phone Interview Questions, Phone Interview Tips, Phone Interviews

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Phone Interview Tips Series

Table of Contents

Phone Interview Tips 1-10
  1. Phone Interview Tip #1 -- Check Your Voicemail Greeting

  2. Phone Interview Tip #2 -- The Best Time to Set Up Your Call

  3. Phone Interview Tip #3 -- Where’s the Best Place for a Phone Interview?

  4. Phone Interview Tip #4 -- How To Keep Your Focus

  5. Phone Interview Tip #5 -- How to Build Your Confidence

  6. Phone Interview Tip #6 -- How to Project Enthusiasm

  7. Phone Interview Tip #7 -- Use Cheat Sheets

  8. Phone Interview Tip #8 -- Research the Interviewer

  9. Phone Interview Tip #9 -- Research the Company

  10. Phone Interview Tip #10 -- Prepare Answers to Common Phone Interview Questions

Phone Interview Tips 11-20
  1. Phone Interview Tip #11 -- Practice Your Phone Interview

  2. Phone Interview Tip #12 -- How to Hit Your Phone Interview Goals

  3. Phone Interview Tip #13 -- The Best Phone for Your Interview

  4. Phone Interview Tip #14 -- Your Phone Interview Voice

  5. Phone Interview Tip #15 -- How to Give the Interviewer What They’re Looking For

  6. Phone Interview Tip #16 -- How to Project the Right Image Over the Phone

  7. Phone Interview Tip #17 -- Help Them Qualify You for the Face-to-Face Interview

  8. Phone Interview Tip #18 -- Speak the Right Body Language (Yes, Even On the Phone)

  9. Phone Interview Tip #19 -- Secret Tricks to Phone Interview Success

  10. Phone Interview Tip #20 -- Ask Questions

Phone Interview Tips 21-30
  1. Phone Interview Tip #21 -- How to Listen Well

  2. Phone Interview Tip #22 -- Don’t Talk Too Much

  3. Phone Interview Tip #23 -- Watch Your Language

  4. Phone Interview Tip #24 -- Phone Interview Etiquette

  5. Phone Interview Tip #25 -- Getting the Face-to-Face Interview

  6. Phone Interview Tip #26 -- How and When to Follow Up

  7. Phone Interview Tip #27 -- Biggest Phone Interview Mistakes

  8. Phone Interview Tip #28 -- Small Phone Interview Mistakes That Cause Big Problems

  9. Phone Interview Tip #29 -- Things You Should Never Say

  10. Phone Interview Tip #30 -- Make a Phone Interview Checklist

Phone Interview Tips 31-37
  1. Phone Interview Tip #31 -- Relax, Be Calm, and Make a Good Impression

  2. Phone Interview Tip #32 -- Good Telephone Communication Tips

  3. Phone Interview Tip #33 -- Typical Phone Interview Questions

  4. Phone Interview Tip #34 -- Thank You Notes

  5. Phone Interview Tip #35 -- The One Question You Should Ask

  6. Phone Interview Tip #36 -- How to Keep Them From Screening You Out

  7. Phone Interview Tip #37 -- How to Prepare for a Phone Interview

Click to expand question sets, then click individual questions to read the article.

What happens if you talk too much in a phone interview?  Or related to that, you offer up Too Much Information?  Both show poor communication skills that could keep you from getting the invitation to the face-to-face.  It’s important that you know how much to talk and what to say to have a successful telephone interview.

Knowing how much to talk can feel a little bit tricky…but it really depends on your interviewer.

If they’re talking a lot, then it’s OK to listen and see what you can learn.  (But don’t forget to ask for the next step!)  If they spend most of their time asking questions, then you talk.  In general, as long as it feels like a back-and-forth conversation, rather than a monologue, then you’re probably good.

Just don’t spend too much time answering those questions.  A minute or two per question should be plenty.  Practice your answers ahead of time to make sure they are succinct, focused, and not too long.  And calm those nerves before you interview.  Nerves can make you ramble on and talk way too much.  Not understanding the question can make you say too much, too—you’re not sure what the right answer is, so you give all the right answers you can think of at once.  That is a mistake.  If you don’t understand what they want to know, ask.

While you’re watching how much you talk, also watch what you say.  Don’t offer up too much information that could hurt you.  Here are a few ways to avoid that:

Always keep your answers job-focused.

Many job seekers offer up personal information out of nervousness, an attempt to bond with the interviewer, or because they don’t understand how to answer interview questions.  For instance, when they hear “Tell me a little about yourself,” many job seekers say things like, “I’m from Minnesota,” “I have two kids,” “I’m a Facebook junkie.”  Don’t say those things.  Your answer should always be, “I have a degree in X,” “I have experience in Y,” or something that relates to the job.

Don’t be negative.

Negativity of all kinds would count under “too much information.”  Don’t talk any kind of trash about your last job or boss.  Don’t talk about any personal problems (that’s a doubl

Avoid talking about salary.

e-whammy….personal AND negative).  Don’t even talk about things you don’t like.  Keep it positive.

If they ask you, say something like, “Salary is less of an issue for me than whether or not the job is a great fit.  I’m sure you’re going to offer something that’s fair for this job, and I’m really interested in it so far.  Can you tell me more about X?”  (X being something about the job…you’re redirecting the conversation here.)

Don’t reveal your concerns about this job yet.

If you are worried about the salary or the hours or the travel requirements, DO NOT bring it up at this point.  Even if you find out that there’s no problem, expressing your concern to them at this point will read to them as a huge negative.  You will seem like a negative person, and it will be a mark against you.

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Got a big phone interview coming up? Let’s make sure you’re ready with a half-hour of coaching!

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