Telephone and Video Interview Checklist

Why this matters

First-round screens often happen by phone or Teams/Zoom before anyone meets you in person. Bad audio, background noise, or reading answers obviously from a script can end candidacies before competency scoring begins. A repeatable checklist removes avoidable failures.

Practical steps

1. Test tech 24 hours ahead. Camera, mic, headphones, bandwidth, and platform login—use the employer's preferred tool if they send a link.
2. Set the scene. Neutral background, face lit from the front, phone on silent, pets and housemates briefed. Have water and printed CV nearby.
3. For phone interviews, stand or walk slowly. It adds energy; smile—it changes your voice.
4. Keep notes on screen, not shuffling paper. Headlines only—STAR prompts, questions to ask, company facts.
5. Close professionally. Confirm next steps, thank them, and send a brief follow-up email within 24 hours if appropriate.

Common mistakes

• Joining video with camera off unless they explicitly allow it.
• Relying on laptop speakers in a noisy café.
• Wearing professional top with gym shorts—stand up once.
• Interrupting because of audio lag—pause half a second longer than feels natural.

Watch

How you sound and present carries as much weight as content when the panel has only a screen to judge.

Run a full dress rehearsal through Job Near Me mock interviews on the same device you will use, log tech fixes in Learn, and keep your digital CV open for quick fact-checking during prep—not during the live call.

Further reading

• National Careers Service interview advice