things to avoid during interview

” Words have magical power. They can either bring the greatest happiness or the biggest despair “

Nowadays it’s very common to have a telephonic interview before a face-to-face interview.

With so much equipped technology, one can calmly sit in its comfort zone and answer an interview on a call. They durably save a lot of time and effort, maintaining the same consistency of relationship/ bond between the interviewer and candidate.

However, it is a myth that a telephonic interview requires zero energy and no aspect of hard work and preparation on the candidate’s part. A phone interview also requires preparation.

10 Points on "Things to Never do during a Telephonic Interview"

To put forward what one should avoid during a phone interview can be surmounted as follows: -.

1. Check your phone network

It looks like common sense but now a day’s common sense is very uncommon. 😊 Find a good place where your phone network is good. Business insider mention that there could be several technical mishaps that can strike at just the wrong moment, so please take preventative measures beforehand.

2. Avoid taking interviews in a noisy place

This is truly a bane that can lead to the rejection of a candidate for a specific position as it shows less commitment toward the applied job. ” Survival of the fittest” is the key idea in a telephonic interview.

3. Avoid personal talks

You are in a professional bar, and therefore the due amount of dedication and respect is required. If you as a candidate is simply into extending talks and jumping on personal facets, it might create a negative impression in the mind of the employer or it may offend it too.

4. Never skip the Q&A

It is believed that Q&A is designed to challenge the candidate on the basis of aptitude and knowledge about certain skills required to be possessed in the field. And therefore, one should never skip it. Even if you aren’t familiar with the terminology, or questions you can just simply answer it honestly or say I don’t know, I’ll get back to you on this.

5. Avoid long answers

The interviewer is blessed with loads of candidates for a selection of a post. And hence, he/ she needs to do time management. However, if a candidate is busy juggling with a long-winded answer, it leads to a chance of rejection as it projects the inadequacy of responsible behaviour and also insufficiency of conciseness.

Telephonic interview Tips


6. Skip filler words

Words like “um”, and “uh” are unprofessional therefore they should be totally eliminated. Practice interviews multiple times before the actual interview. A mock interview by an expert will help you to prepare beforehand.

7. Never interrupt the interviewer

You might be excited to present your facts, and opinions but one should never interrupt an interviewer as it leads to arrogance and negligible respect. Speaking too fast and too slow, is also a curse as it leads to showing less interest in the job.

8. Do some research on the company before the interview

Try to find out the company’s culture, mission, and values, and what are their products and services. Check the latest news about the company on social media. The Balance careers say Get to know the company’s biggest competitors and identify their successes and flaws, too. Insight into the company’s industry and rivals are bound to impress interviewers.

9. Prepare your cheat sheet

Cheatsheet helps you to plan your thoughts before and write them down on a piece of paper so that you are fully prepared for your job interview. Plan all your thoughts and questions before your next interview with our cheat sheet.

10. Do ask questions

Good questions to ask in an interview could be about the company, about the job the boss or the employer. Monster has listed down all the good questions to ask during an interview. Rarely any employer confirms a job based on a phone interview, they do call for a face-to-face interview before confirming, so do ask when can I hear from you. But always remember there are a few questions that you should never ask an interviewer.

These are some necessary precautions one should take while answering a phone interview.

Apply Jobs

Telephonic interview Etiquettes


How do I prepare for my interview for sales and marketing? 

Having a successful interview is crucial to getting any sales position. We go through some of the most common interview questions and provide some helpful advice for answering them.

Think of it as a business pitch.

Good salespeople know how to market themselves. Consider the company's perspective: how can they expect you to promote their product if you can't sell yourself? Think on the fact that you'll be their representative in the marketplace while you go through the interview process.

The interview is similar to a sales pitch, and you should treat it as such. You should learn as much as possible about the company you're contacting and prepare for any eventuality. Which potential flaws may they find? How do you differentiate yourself from the competition?

Keep in mind that you should strive to strike a consultative tone rather than a "salesy" one. Nowadays, it's more important than ever for firms to hire salespeople who can really help customers with their issues. Those who still use high-pressure, high-stakes strategies to close sales are in the minority nowadays.

Learn the facts

Professional salespeople know how to market themselves. Consider the company's perspective: how can they expect you to promote their product if you can't sell yourself?

To succeed in retail, you must have a firm knowledge of pertinent statistics, trends, and sales cycles. Therefore, it is recommended that you read the most recent blogs, news pieces, sector-specific journals, and government information.

The most crucial thing is to study up on the company you'll be meeting with. Learn all you can about the things they sell and how the market perceives them, and then consider how you may go about making a sale for them.

Apply Jobs

Test-taking Questions

Different types of questions may be asked, therefore it's important to be well-prepared. In particular, be prepared to answer the following questions:

  • Regarding fundamentals of effective sales techniques (e.g. handling objections, closing the sale, qualifying potential clients, etc.)
  • Feedback on customer service, which is fundamental to sales success
  • Examining your flexibility, persuasiveness, negotiating, and public-speaking abilities via competency-based questions

Among the more specific questions you may be asked are:

  1. When setting goals, how often do you succeed?
  2. Tell me about the most difficult situation you've had to overcome in your professional life. How did you manage to go over that?
  3. Tell me about the deal you're most pleased with and why.
  4. If you weren't hearing back from a customer, what steps would you take?

It's important to keep track of your progress and accomplishments.

In each job interview, a salesperson will talk at length about their many accomplishments. Yet, not everyone will bring proof of this during the interview. While sales rankings, references, P60s, and paystubs are all fair game, you shouldn't bring anything that may be considered the secret to your current or prior employers (because doing so would show a lack of concern).

Get out your phone book

The ability to quickly build and maintain a large network of connections is essential for every sales professional. As a result, you've shown your capacity to create profitable, long-term partnerships with your customers. To be able to take them when you're in a new position is a great plus.

It's a good idea to come up with a list of inquiries ahead of time.

Don't just respond "no" when asked whether you have any concerns as the interview is winding down. Interrogations that display some degree of reflection show the interviewer that you have Two things will determine whether or not you get the job: 1) how interested you are in the business and the position, and 2) how well you listen throughout the interview (no one wants to employ a salesperson who spends the whole time talking about themselves and their product).

Prepare a list of questions you can use to prevent becoming stumped. This includes some of the following examples:

  • In your experience, what traits do your best salespeople have?
  • How many of your salespeople were successful in reaching their goals?
  • When making a transaction, how much leeway do salespeople have for haggling?
  • Is there anything stopping your sales team from reaching its full potential?
  • What are the size and makeup of your sales force?
  • What do you like most about your position as a salesperson at this company?

Don't let the sale slip away

Don't forget to properly wrap up the interview as you would any other sales meeting. If you think the interview went well, you might ask the employer if there is anything further you need to know or if they have any questions. Show your interest in the position by asking pointed questions regarding the following stages and when you can expect to hear their feedback concerning how the interview went.

I hope this article helps in your preparation for your upcoming interview. Share with your friends and colleagues as well!  

Apply Jobs

never do things in Telephonic interview


FAQs on Things to Never Do During a Telephonic Interview

1. What should I avoid doing before a telephonic interview?

Avoid distractions by ensuring you are in a quiet environment. Don’t forget to test your phone connection and make sure your phone is charged.

2. Is it okay to take calls during the interview?

No, you should never take calls during the interview. This can come across as unprofessional and disrespectful to the interviewer.

3. Can I refer to notes during the interview?

While it’s acceptable to have notes handy, avoid reading directly from them. This can make the conversation feel scripted and impersonal.

4. Should I interrupt the interviewer?

No, you should never interrupt the interviewer. Allow them to finish their questions or comments before responding to ensure clear communication.

5. Is it acceptable to eat or drink during the interview?

No, eating or drinking during a telephonic interview can be distracting and may create a negative impression.

Telephonic interview Skills


6. How should I handle technical issues during the call?

If you experience technical difficulties, apologize briefly and try to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. Avoid letting it derail the conversation.

7. Can I express negative opinions about my previous employers?

No, you should never speak negatively about past employers. This can reflect poorly on you and may lead the interviewer to question your professionalism.

8. Is it okay to talk too much during the interview?

No, be mindful of your responses. Aim for concise answers that address the question without rambling, which can waste time and lose the interviewer's interest.

9. Should I forget to follow up after the interview?

Yes, never skip the follow-up. Sending a thank-you email shows appreciation and reinforces your interest in the position.

10. What if I’m asked a question I don’t know the answer to?

Avoid panicking. Instead of guessing, it’s better to acknowledge that you’re unsure and express your willingness to learn. This demonstrates honesty and a growth mindset.

Apply Jobs