Phone interviews. Nearly every interview process starts with them. They can be easier, and they can also be deceivingly difficult. Here are some pieces of insight and tips to help you the get in the zone on the phone.

INSIGHT: You are more likely to be speaking with HR than your department of expertise (say, marketing). Therefore, you might be asked some basic questions about your marketing experience, but chances are that HR will screen you more generally simply to see (1) if you’d be a good fit for the company; (2) if your motivation for applying is appropriate; and (3) if the hiring team should spend their valuable time meeting with you.

Tip 1: Prepare to explain your job transitions, reasons for leaving/joining organizations, and any employment gaps.

Tip 2: Rehearse explaining any concerns about background that a hiring team might have. Don’t just prepare, you should rehearse articulating it clearly, comfortably, and with a tone that keeps the conversation upbeat and flowing.

Tip 3: Prepare for and expect the question about your weakness.

INSIGHT: A corporate recruiter’s calendar is filled with daily meetings including lots phone interviews. As with anyone who has a busy day, they will likely keep a tight schedule and the conversation moving quickly.

Tip 4: Don’t get flustered or take it personally if it seems slightly rushed. In fact, try to match their style. How great will it look if you can enter a meeting, get to business and drive things forward as if you’re already part of the team?

INSIGHT: They obviously can’t see you, so they will be heavily-assessing your phone demeanor.

Tip 5: Smile, walk around while talking, and keep the energy up. Use a headset if possible.

Tip 6: You cannot see their reactions to your communication (e.g. head nods, their smiles, etc.). You will proudly and enthusiastically deliver your answers just as you practiced – with conviction and vigor – all for a measly and neutral “…uh huh…” “…good…” or “…great, thank you,” from their end. Asking them, “Did that answer your question?” once or twice after you speak goes a long way.

Tip 7: Take advantage of being remote. Have some easy-to-read notes prepared, have their company website or the person’s Linkedin profile while you’re interviewing.

INSIGHT: They still need to gauge your chops a bit.

Tip 8: Expect a couple behavioral-based questions. These could be about a key project you executed from start to finish, a time when you had to change direction quickly, or a conflict you had to solve. But don’t get too technical; focus more on your actions, and why you chose to act the way you did.

INSIGHT: They plan on having time for questions from you. The questions a candidate asks tell a lot about their work style. We say “…plan on having time…” because sometimes the conversation goes longer than expected, and the questions at the end are usually the minutes that get eliminated, unfortunately.

Tip 9: Prepare some good questions, but remember that the HR person might not know everything you’re wondering since they don’t sit directly on the marketing team.

Tip 10: If you don’t get to ask all the questions you planned, again, don’t take it personally. (Hopefully you’ll be invited back so you can have another chance). Make sure, however, to still close: “Thank you very much for this phone interview today. I’m excited and strongly wish to move forward in the process. Please let me know if you need more information.”

Lastly, of course arrange for a quiet, uninterrupted conversation with strong cellular reception. If you’re called out of the blue to schedule the phone interview, feel free to ask how long it will last, or request that you check your schedule and get back to them so you can make sure you can properly arrange for a good conversation.