How to practise for a phone or video interview
Meera prepared for her screening call by reading her notes three times. She knew every answer. Then the recruiter said "So, tell me about yourself," and this came out:
"Yes, so, um, I'm currently, well, for the last few years I've been working in, sort of, operations..."
Knowing an answer and saying it are different skills. Reading builds the first. Only speaking builds the second.
Why practise out loud?
Because your mouth has never said these sentences before. The first time you say an answer, you stumble. You want that first time to be in your bedroom, not on the call.
On a phone call it matters even more. The interviewer can't see you, so your voice carries everything: pace, pauses, filler words.
The mirror method
- Stand in front of a mirror. Standing keeps your voice stronger than slouching on a bed.
- Ask the question out loud, as if the interviewer said it.
- Answer while looking at yourself. Not at notes.
- Watch for three things: looking away to "find" the answer, touching your face, and your expression going flat.
- Stop at 90 seconds. Use your phone's timer. If you're still talking, the answer is too long.
The mirror feels awkward for about five minutes. That awkwardness is the nerves you'd otherwise feel on the call.
Which questions should you practise?
Five come up on almost every call:
- Tell me about yourself
- Why are you leaving your current job?
- What are your salary expectations?
- Why do you want to work here?
- What questions do you have for us?
Then add one question you're dreading, like a gap or a short job. That's the one most worth saying out loud.
What does a good practice round sound like?
Before practice, an answer to "Why are you leaving?":
"Well, it's a good company, but things have changed a lot, and, honestly, the new manager and I don't really see eye to eye on..."
After three rounds in the mirror:
"I've learned a lot in four years, and I'm ready to own a whole region rather than support one. This role does exactly that."
Same person, same reason. The second one was said out loud six times first.
How do you hear yourself as they will?
Record one round on your phone's voice recorder and listen back. It's uncomfortable, and it works. You'll hear things the mirror can't show you:
- Filler words: count every "um", "like" and "sort of".
- Speed: most nervous people talk too fast.
- Endings: does your voice trail off, or finish the sentence?
One listen is enough. Fix the biggest problem and record again.
How much practice is enough?
Three sessions of about 20 minutes, on different days. For example: three days before, the day before, and the morning of the call. Your answers settle between sessions.
Don't learn scripts word for word. Practise from five bullet points per answer, so it sounds like you're talking, not reciting.
If a friend will help, do one mock call by phone. Sit in another room, so you can't see each other, just like the real call.
What should you avoid?
- Practising only in your head. It feels like practice, but your mouth hasn't said a word.
- One long session the night before. You'll end up tired and less sure, not more.
- Learning a script word for word. Forget one line and the rest goes with it.
- Skipping the hard question. Say the one you dread most at least three times.
- Endless recordings. Fix one thing per round, then stop.
Quick answers
Is practising in front of a mirror useful for phone interviews?
Yes. Even though the interviewer can't see you, the mirror shows when you look away to search for an answer, and it makes you say every answer out loud.
How long should I practise before an interview call?
Three sessions of about 20 minutes, on different days. Short, spaced practice works better than one long session the night before.
Should I memorise my interview answers?
Memorise the key points, not the words. Practise from five bullet points per answer so you sound natural.
Which questions should I practise first?
"Tell me about yourself", "Why are you leaving?", salary expectations, "Why here?", and your questions for them. Then the one question you're most worried about.
How do I stop saying "um" so much?
Record yourself, count the fillers, then practise pausing silently instead. A one-second pause sounds confident; an "um" sounds unsure.
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