Whether you're pursuing a new opportunity, changing careers, or returning to the workforce, preparation can help you interview with greater confidence.
Here are 10 tips to help you get ready.
She shows up to the virtual interview on time, early even. Her camera is on, a polite smile ready to greet the hiring manager. Trying to steady the nerves she’s been carrying all morning.
The first question: “Walk me through your experience with this type of work.”
And her mind goes blank.
She knows she has the experience. She can recall doing this hundreds of times, but nothing is landing cleanly in a way she can articulate. She starts talking, then stops. Rephrases. Glances down.
The interviewer waits. Patient, but quiet. Then the next question comes. Same thing. Broad answers. A few details slip out, but nothing fully formed. It feels like she’s reaching for the story of her own career and coming up just short of grabbing it.
By the end, she’s relieved it’s over, but unsettled. Not because she lacked experience, but because in that moment, she couldn’t quite articulate it.
And the hardest part? She knows tomorrow she’ll remember exactly what she should have said.
Interviews aren't just about having the right experience. They're about communicating that experience clearly and confidently in the moment. Whether you're interviewing for a new role, returning to the workforce, or exploring a career change, preparation can help you tell your story more effectively and make a stronger impression.
While every interview is different, there are a few things you can do ahead of time to set yourself up for success. Here are 10 phone and virtual interview tips to help you prepare for your next opportunity.
1. Prepare Your "Tell Me About Yourself" Answer
One of the most common interview questions is: "Tell me about yourself."
Your response should be tailored to the role, not a summary of your entire resume.
Focus on:
- Relevant experience
- Transferable skills
- Why you're interested in the position
One of the biggest mistakes candidates make is giving a generic response that could apply to any role. Before your interview, review the job description and identify the skills, experiences, and accomplishments that are most relevant to the position.
If you're changing careers or returning to work, don't focus on what you haven't done. Instead, highlight the skills and experiences that transfer to the role and explain what interests you about the opportunity. Your introduction should help the interviewer quickly understand why you're a strong fit.
2. Research the Company and Your Interviewer
Preparation goes beyond just reviewing the job description.
Before your interview, spend time learning about the company, its mission, products or services, and recent news or announcements. Understanding the business can help you have a more meaningful conversation and demonstrate genuine interest in the opportunity.
If you know who you'll be meeting with, consider reviewing their LinkedIn profile as well. You may learn more about their background, career path, role within the organization, or shared experiences that can help build rapport during the conversation.
Hiring managers can often tell when a candidate has done their homework. Even 15 minutes of research can make a significant difference.
3. Prepare for Phone Interviews
Phone interviews are often the first step in the hiring process.
While the interviewer can't see you, they can hear your professionalism, confidence, and enthusiasm.
Before the call:
- Find a quiet place with minimal distractions
- Keep your resume and the job description nearby
- Have a notebook ready for notes
- Silence notifications on your devices
- Answer the phone professionally
Remember that a phone interview is often a screening conversation designed to determine whether you should move forward in the process. Be prepared to discuss your background, interest in the role, availability, and compensation expectations.
One simple tip: smile while speaking. It often helps your tone sound more positive, engaged, and confident.
4. Test Your Technology Before a Virtual Interview
Technical issues happen, but many can be avoided with a little preparation.
Before a virtual interview, confirm that your:
- Internet connection is stable
- Camera is working
- Microphone and speakers are functioning properly
- Video platform is installed and accessible
Take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the interview platform before the meeting begins. Logging in early and testing your setup can help reduce stress and prevent avoidable delays.
5. Create a Professional Interview Environment
Your surroundings matter during a virtual interview.
Choose a location that is:
- Quiet
- Well-lit
- Free from interruptions
- Clean and professional in appearance
If children, pets, roommates, or other household distractions may be present, try to plan ahead when possible.
Most interviewers understand that life happens, but creating a distraction-free environment helps you stay focused and present throughout the conversation.
6. Dress Professionally
Even for virtual interviews, appearance matters.
Choose professional attire that aligns with the company culture and avoid:
- Busy patterns
- Distracting graphics
- Excessive accessories
Simple, professional clothing typically works best on camera. Dressing professionally can also help boost your confidence and put you in the right mindset for the conversation.
7. Be Ready to Discuss Salary Expectations
Many candidates spend time preparing for interview questions but forget to prepare for compensation conversations.
Before your interview:
- Research market rates for similar roles
- Determine a salary range you're comfortable discussing
- Understand the minimum salary you would realistically accept
- Consider what matters most to you beyond compensation
Compensation isn't just about salary. Benefits, healthcare coverage, retirement plans, paid time off, flexibility, remote work options, professional development opportunities, and company stability can all contribute significant value beyond base pay.
When evaluating an opportunity, consider the complete package. A role with a slightly lower salary may offer benefits that improve your overall quality of life, such as fully remote work, stronger benefits, career growth opportunities, or greater long-term stability.
Understanding your priorities before the interview can help you answer compensation questions with confidence and make more informed career decisions.
8. Understand the Role of Recruiters and Staffing Partners
Depending on the opportunity, your first conversation may be with a recruiter rather than the hiring manager.
At The Mom Project, we work with organizations in a variety of ways. In some cases, companies hire directly through our platform. In others, our recruiting team helps identify, screen, and present qualified candidates for consideration.
Because of this, the person conducting your initial interview may not be the hiring manager or final decision-maker.
Recruiters often evaluate:
- Your qualifications and experience
- Alignment with the role
- Compensation expectations
- Availability and work preferences
- Overall fit for the opportunity
Recruiters can also be valuable resources throughout the hiring process, providing insight into the role, company, interview process, and expectations.
9. Prepare Questions of Your Own
Interviews are a two-way conversation.
One of the most common mistakes candidates make is saying they don't have any questions at the end of the interview.
Thoughtful questions demonstrate preparation, curiosity, and genuine interest in the opportunity. They can also help you determine whether the role is the right fit for your goals and priorities.
Consider asking questions such as:
- What does success look like in this role?
- What are the team's biggest priorities right now?
- How would you describe the company culture?
- What do you enjoy most about working here?
- What challenges is the team currently focused on solving?
The strongest interviews often feel more like conversations than question-and-answer sessions.
10. Ask About Next Steps
Before ending the interview, ask about the hiring process and timeline.
A simple question like: "Can you share what the next steps in the process look like?" can help set expectations and provide clarity on when you can expect to hear back.
Hiring timelines vary from company to company. Recruiters often have visibility into the overall process, while hiring managers may still be meeting with candidates and gathering feedback before making decisions.
Asking about next steps demonstrates professionalism, continued interest, and helps reduce uncertainty after the interview.
Final Thoughts
At The Mom Project, we know interviews can feel intimidating, especially when you're returning to the workforce, changing careers, or pursuing a new opportunity.
The best interviews aren't about having perfect answers. They're about preparation, confidence, and connecting your experience to the role.
By researching the company, preparing your introduction, understanding compensation expectations, testing your technology, asking thoughtful questions, and staying engaged throughout the conversation, you'll be well-positioned to make a strong impression in both phone and virtual interviews.
Remember: employers aren't only evaluating your experience. They're also evaluating your communication skills, professionalism, enthusiasm, and potential. Preparation can help ensure those strengths shine through.
