Au contraire, mon ami. A phone interview should be taken just as seriously as its face-to-face counterpart. After all, the goal of an interview via phone—in most cases—is to secure a traditional interview. Consider the phone interview as a necessary step in the interviewing process, something to be approached with a high degree of both preparation and professionalism.

Preparation

Preparing is akin to researching. Research the hospital/clinic you’re interviewing with and know how you will be an asset to that facility. Not only will this allow you to ask well-educated questions throughout the interview process, the interviewer will be able to cover more specific areas of interest if you are already briefed on the general facts. Have your resume nearby as a reference; chances are your interviewer has it in front of them and will be asking questions about it. In addition, jot down a list of your strengths and weaknesses; employers love to ask these slightly predictable questions. Use that to your advantage and be ready with solid answers. Also, don’t be hesitant to practice a mock phone interview with a friend or family member ahead of time. Sure, you might feel slightly ridiculous, but the confidence and phone communication skills you’ll gain in the process is worth the momentary feeling of silliness.

Professionalism

Equally as important as preparation, approaching a phone interview with an air of professionalism is crucial. Clear the family pet and darling children from the room; you don’t need any distractions and either does your potential employer. Chewing gum or eating food also counts as an unnecessary distraction. Of course, it’s not a bad idea to have a glass of water nearby in case your mouth gets dry. Also, most people find that standing versus sitting helps achieve a more assertive tone; smiling also improves the quality/sound of your voice. When addressing your interviewer, make sure to address them with the correct title; avoid first names unless you are specifically told otherwise by the employer. When answering, use simple/concise answers. And remember, if you need a moment to think before answering then take it. You’d rather formulate a response that sounds collected and competent after a moment’s break than an immediate response that’s wondering and unsure.

Through proper attention to preparation and professionalism, your phone interview can lead to a face-to-face interview or even a job. So, while you don’t technically have to worry about double pressing your pants, you might want to get them ready just in case.