Graduate Telephone Interviews: Our Top 8 Tips

For many graduates, the telephone interview is the first real step into the recruitment process and it can feel suprisingly daunting. Without face-to-face interactions, it's easy to worry about pauses, tone of voice or how you have come across. The good news? Telephone interviews are designed to help employers get to know you and your career motivations, not catch you out. 

With the right preparation, you can approach your telephone interview feeling confident. In this blog, we explore 8 of our top tips for a successful telephone interview. 

1. Prepare Your Environment

Choose a quiet, comfortable space where you won’t be interrupted. Let housemates or family know you’re taking a call, silence notifications and ensure your phone is fully charged with good signal. Sitting somewhere familiar can help settle nerves and keep you focused.

2. Research the Role and the Company 

Even for an initial telephone interview, employers expect you to have done some research. Review the job description carefully and understand what the role involves. Look at the company’s website, values and any recent news.

Being able to explain why you’re interested in the role and why it suits your skills and career goals will help you sound confident and motivated.

3. Keep Key Notes to Hand

One advantage of a telephone interview is that you can have notes in front of you. Keep them brief and well organised, bullet points are best. Focus on key skills, examples and questions you’d like to ask.

Avoid reading directly from your notes. They should act as prompts, not a script, so your answers still sound natural and engaging.

4. Practice Speaking Clearly and Positively 

Your voice does all the work in a telephone interview, so clarity and tone are crucial. Practice answering common interview questions out loud and speak at a steady pace, pausing briefly to collect your thoughts.

Emphasise key points to convey confidence and keep your answers structured. Recording yourself can also help identify areas for improvement.

5. Listen Carefully and Don't Be Afraid to Pause 

It’s perfectly acceptable to take a moment to think before answering a question, listening carefully shows professionalism and ensures your answer is relevant.

If you don’t understand a question, politely ask for clarification or ask them to repeat the question back. Interviewers would much rather repeat or rephrase a question, than receive an answer that misses the point.

6. Use Examples to Show Your Skills 

When answering questions, try to use short, structured examples to demonstrate your skills. This is especially important for graduate roles where employers are looking for potential, attitude and transferable skills.

Examples from University, part-time work, placements, volunteering or extracurricular activities all support your application when they are relevant to the role and demonstrate the skills the employer is looking for.

A simple structure such as STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) can help you stay concise. Even small or everyday experiences are valuable if they show skills such as teamwork, communication, problem-solving, organisation or resilience. Focus on the impact of your actions and relate each back to the role.

7. Ask Questions 

Telephone interviews are a two-way conversation. Preparing one or two thoughtful questions shows interest and enthusiasm for the role. Some examples include ask about training, progression or what success looks like in the first few months.

This also helps you decide whether the opportunity is right for you.

8. End on a Positive Note 

Thank the interviewer for their time and express your interest in the next stage. A confident, polite close leaves a strong final impression.

After the call, make a few notes about what went well and what you could improve this will help you feel even more prepared for future interviews.

Final Thoughts 

Telephone interviews are a normal part of the graduate recruitment process, and feeling nervous is completely natural. With preparation, practice and the right mindset, they can become a great opportunity to showcase your potential.

Remember: employers aren’t expecting perfection. They’re looking for enthusiasm, communication skills and a willingness to learn. Approach your telephone interview as a professional conversation and focus on demonstrating your potential and readiness for the role.

Graduate Jobs with Furza 

At Furza, we support graduates in developing the skills and confidence needed to succeed from day one in their careers. Our Talent Team provides support throughout the entire interview process. With tailored training through the Furza Academy and ongoing support from our team, we ensure graduates kickstart their careers and continue to grow and achieve long-term success.