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Ace the Initial Phone or Video Interview: Tips and Tricks for Success

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Ace the Initial Phone or Video Interview: Tips and Tricks for Success

Are you preparing for an initial phone or video interview? It’s essential to be well-prepared to make a great impression and increase your chances of landing an in-person interview. In this article, we’ll share valuable tips and tricks to help you ace the initial phone or video interview.

Interview Preparation Techniques

Before we dive into the tips and tricks, it’s crucial to understand the importance of preparation. A well-prepared candidate is more likely to feel confident and composed during the interview. Here are some interview preparation techniques to get you started:

Research the Company

Researching the company is essential to understand its products, services, mission, and values. This will help you tailor your responses to the company’s needs and show your enthusiasm for the role.

Review the Job Description

Study the job description carefully and make a list of the key qualifications and responsibilities. This will help you prepare answers to common interview questions and demonstrate your understanding of the role.

Practice Your Responses

Practice answering common interview questions, such as “Why do you want to work for this company?” or “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” This will help you feel more confident and prepared during the interview.

Phone or Video Interview Tips

Here are some valuable tips to help you ace the initial phone or video interview:

Choose a Quiet and Private Space

Find a quiet and private space for the interview, free from distractions and interruptions. This will help you focus and ensure a smooth conversation.

Use a Landline or High-Quality Headset

Use a landline or a high-quality headset to ensure clear audio and minimize background noise. This will help the interviewer hear you clearly and reduce the risk of technical issues.

Make Eye Contact (Even on Video)

Make eye contact with the interviewer, even if you’re on video. This will help you establish a connection and show your enthusiasm for the role.

Use a Professional Background

Use a professional background for the video interview, such as a plain wall or a bookshelf. Avoid using a busy or distracting background that may take away from your professionalism.

Be Prepared to Ask Questions

Prepare a list of questions to ask the interviewer, such as “What are the biggest challenges facing the team right now?” or “What opportunities are there for professional development?” This will show your interest in the role and your willingness to learn more.

Common Phone or Video Interview Questions

Here are some common phone or video interview questions to help you prepare:

Why Do You Want to Work for This Company?

This is an opportunity to showcase your research and enthusiasm for the company. Highlight your understanding of the company’s products, services, and mission, and explain how you can contribute to its success.

What Are Your Strengths and Weaknesses?

This is a classic interview question. Be honest about your strengths and weaknesses, and provide specific examples to demonstrate your skills and areas for improvement.

Why Are You Leaving Your Current Job?

This question is an opportunity to showcase your professionalism and positivity. Avoid speaking negatively about your current employer or colleagues, and focus on your reasons for leaving and your enthusiasm for the new role.

Conclusion

Acing the initial phone or video interview requires preparation, confidence, and a positive attitude. By following the tips and tricks outlined in this article, you’ll be well-prepared to make a great impression and increase your chances of landing an in-person interview. Remember to research the company, review the job description, practice your responses, and be prepared to ask questions. Good luck!

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about phone or video interviews:

Q: What should I wear for a video interview?

A: Dress professionally for a video interview, just as you would for an in-person interview. Avoid wearing busy patterns or bright colors that may distract from your face.

Q: Can I use a smartphone for a video interview?

A: While it’s possible to use a smartphone for a video interview, it’s not recommended. The video quality may be poor, and the interviewer may have difficulty hearing you. Instead, use a laptop or desktop computer with a webcam and microphone.

Q: How long should I wait before following up after a phone or video interview?

A: It’s a good idea to wait 24-48 hours before following up after a phone or video interview. This will give the interviewer time to review your application and make a decision. If you haven’t heard back after 48 hours, you can send a polite follow-up email to inquire about the status of your application.

Q: Can I record a phone or video interview?

A: It’s generally not recommended to record a phone or video interview without the interviewer’s permission. This can be seen as unprofessional and may raise concerns about confidentiality. Instead, focus on taking notes during the interview to help you remember important details.

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Career Advice

Building Career Resilience in a Rapidly Changing Job Market

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Building Career Resilience in a Rapidly Changing Job Market

In today’s  job landscape, adaptability and continuous learning have become essential for career success. Recent insights from industry leaders highlight the importance of cultivating resilience and embracing change to thrive professionally.

Embrace Lifelong Learning

Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind, emphasizes the significance of “learning to learn” in an era dominated by artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. He advises individuals to focus on understanding how they absorb new information and to remain curious and adaptable. This approach ensures that professionals can navigate disruptions and seize opportunities in fields like AI, virtual reality, and quantum computing.

Cultivate Curiosity

Anima Anandkumar, a professor at Caltech and former AI leader at Nvidia and Amazon, underscores the irreplaceable value of curiosity in the age of AI. She encourages young professionals to pursue complex, open-ended problems and to engage deeply with their work. By fostering a curious mindset, individuals can enhance their problem-solving abilities and remain indispensable, even as AI technologies advance.

Leverage AI as a Tool

Rather than fearing AI as a job replacer, professionals are encouraged to view it as a powerful tool that can augment their capabilities. By integrating AI into their workflows and staying abreast of technological advancements, individuals can enhance their productivity and remain competitive in the job market.

Seek Mentorship and Build Networks

Building strong relationships and seeking guidance from experienced professionals can provide valuable insights and open doors to new opportunities. Engaging with mentors and expanding one’s professional network are crucial steps in navigating career transitions and achieving long-term goals.

Adapt to Market Demands

The job market is increasingly valuing skills such as adaptability, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence. Professionals should focus on developing these competencies to meet the evolving demands of employers and to position themselves for success in various industries.

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Career Advice

How to Make Career Decisions You Won’t Regret

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How to Make Career Decisions You Won’t Regret

Sometimes the hardest part of growing your career isn’t doing the work—it’s deciding what to do next.

Should you take the job offer or stay put? Go back to school or stick with experience? Pivot to a new industry or deepen your current skill set?

In 2025, with more choices and uncertainty than ever, knowing how to make a decision that feels right for you—not just impressive on paper—is a skill worth building.

Here’s how to do it.

1. Forget the Idea of the “Perfect” Choice

There’s rarely a single “right” decision when it comes to your career. Most paths offer a mix of trade-offs—growth, risk, stability, flexibility, status, or alignment with your values.

Rather than chasing the perfect option, ask:

  • Which path aligns most with where I want to grow next?

  • What matters most to me right now—freedom, learning, income, purpose?

  • What will I be proud I chose a year from now?

Clarity beats perfection every time.

2. Use the Gut + Data Method

Smart decisions happen when you balance facts with feelings.
Start with the data: salary, role expectations, commute, learning opportunities, flexibility, etc. Then check your gut:

  • How does this role feel in your body when you think about it?

  • Are you drawn to it—or just trying to prove something?

If the numbers make sense but your energy tanks every time you think about saying yes—that’s worth listening to.

3. Try a “Test Run” Conversation

Before making the leap, talk to someone already in that role, industry, or company. Ask them:

  • What do they love?

  • What do they wish they’d known?

  • What surprised them after they started?

You’d be surprised how much clarity one real conversation can bring.

4. Give Yourself Permission to Pivot Later

No career move has to be forever. You’re not locked in—you’re choosing what’s best for your next chapter, not your final one.

The truth is, most successful professionals didn’t take one clear path. They made thoughtful decisions, learned along the way, and shifted when it made sense.

Final Thought

Making confident career decisions isn’t about having every answer—it’s about knowing yourself well enough to choose what aligns, trust your direction, and stay open to what comes next.

So the next time you feel stuck between two options, ask yourself this:
Which choice helps me grow—and still feels like me?
Start there. That’s where the best decisions usually begin.

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Career Advice

5 Career Habits That Will Set You Apart in 2025

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5 Career Habits That Will Set You Apart in 2025

Being good at your job is important—but in 2025, it’s not always enough to stand out. Today’s job market is fast-moving, highly competitive, and increasingly shaped by automation, hybrid work models, and shifting employer expectations. If you want to stay relevant, visible, and in demand, the key is developing habits that go beyond technical skills.

Here are five career habits that consistently set top-performing professionals apart—no matter what industry they’re in.

1. Stay Curious, Not Just Qualified

It’s easy to coast once you’re in a role you’re comfortable with. But long-term success comes from staying curious—about your industry, your company, and your own growth potential. Curious professionals ask better questions, anticipate change, and bring new ideas to the table. That kind of thinking is invaluable to employers.

You don’t have to become an expert in everything. Commit to regularly learning something new, whether it’s a tool, trend, or topic related to your field. Sign up for one newsletter, attend a webinar once a month, or shadow a coworker in a different department. Small, consistent learning adds up fast.

2. Keep Track of Your Wins

It’s one thing to do great work—it’s another to be able to clearly communicate it. Whether you’re preparing for a performance review, job interview, or raise negotiation, you need specific examples of how you’ve added value. Too often, we forget the impact we’ve made because we don’t write it down.

Start keeping a simple log of your weekly accomplishments, positive feedback, or successful outcomes. It doesn’t need to be fancy—a note on your phone or a running doc works just fine. You’ll be glad you have it when it’s time to update your résumé or advocate for yourself.

3. Be Visible, Not Just Valuable

Doing good work behind the scenes is admirable—but if no one knows about it, it can hold you back. Visibility doesn’t mean self-promotion for the sake of it. It means making your contributions known, participating actively, and building relationships that expand your reach.

Speak up in meetings, share thoughtful ideas with your team, or post occasionally on LinkedIn about your professional interests. Being visible helps position you as someone who’s engaged, confident, and ready to lead.

4. Build Relationships Before You Need Them

Your network isn’t just a safety net when you’re job hunting—it’s a long-term career asset. The people you connect with today could be future collaborators, mentors, or advocates. But building genuine professional relationships takes time, and the best time to start is before you need something.

Check in with former colleagues. Schedule virtual coffee chats. Congratulate someone on a recent career move. When your relationships are rooted in mutual respect and curiosity—not just transactions—they become one of your most valuable tools for career growth.

5. Prioritize Growth Like It’s Part of Your Job

High performers don’t wait for their companies to offer training or tell them what to learn next. They take ownership of their growth. That might mean investing in an online course, working with a coach, joining a professional association, or even setting boundaries that protect their time and energy.

When you treat your personal and professional development as a non-negotiable—not an optional extra—you build long-term career durability. In 2025 and beyond, that matters more than ever.

Final Thought

You don’t need to overhaul your career overnight. But by consistently practicing these five habits, you position yourself not just as a capable employee—but as a strategic, self-aware, and future-ready professional. And in today’s ever-changing world of work, that’s what truly sets you apart.

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