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Hiring new employees can be a time-consuming and burdensome task. In an effort to properly sort through hundreds of potential resumes for a single job posting, phone interviews are increasingly being conducted with job seekers.

Here’s how to prepare for a phone interview.

Believe it or not, preparing for a phone interview isn’t too different from a traditional, in-person interview. Here are a few tips to help you ace your interview and stand out from the pack:

1. Have your resume and cover letter in front you.

Your interviewer will use your resume and cover letter as a basis for some questions during your interview. Make sure you have the precise information sent to the company, so that you can refer specifically to information when necessary.

2. Sit in front of your computer, with the company website open.

While you don’t want to surf the net during your interview, have the company website open in front of you on your desk. It can help you set the tone and place for your interview, and can also provide quick inspiration for tough questions.

3. Dress the part.

You may not be meeting with your interviewer in person, but dressing as if you were going to an in-person interview can help you get into the “professional” mindset. Confidence in your appearance can help translate to a cool, calm and collected interviewee.

4. Make sure a pen and paper are nearby.

Be prepared to take notes, which can be handy for follow ups and thank you letters or emails. You will also want to be ready to write down the dates and times for any future interviews!

5. Keep your space.

Make sure all children and pets are somewhere other than where you will be for the interview. Unnecessary distractions can make you look unprepared and unprofessional, and can ultimately lose you the job.

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