1. Practice speaking.

Um... uh... well... talking about your qualifications can be a little tricky if you're not accustomed to the interview process. You might be qualified for the position on paper but employers need to hear it from you to be convinced you're a match. Sites like Glassdoor, Indeed, Upwork and LinkedIn are great hiring resources because they offer questions you can expect to be asked during your interview. Whether you're pursuing a career in graphic design, writing or even marketing, these sites are excellent resources when preparing for the interview.

It wasn't until my first phone interview that I realized how much I needed to practice my ability to properly respond to questions and show my interviewer that I would be the best addition to their team. I tripped over my words, had to restart at some points during my responses and even apologized for feeling like I didn't correctly answer a question. It was a mess. But I learned from it and am still learning from every interview.

From my experience, the best way to prepare is to simply practice speaking. Set a timer on your phone for 30 minutes and ask yourself common interview questions in the mirror and watch yourself while you respond. At first, it might be harder than you think, but the more you practice the more confident you'll become. And in my case, the less you'll trip over your words.

2. Connect on LinkedIn.

Whether it's shortly before or after an interview, always connect with your interviewer on LinkedIn. Most of the time, they will have already viewed your LinkedIn profile before the interview, but no matter how the interview goes, you now have them as a connection. This is a big deal if you're looking for jobs in a specific city because there is a fair chance they could be connected with another potential employer on LinkedIn.

3. Thank them!

After each interview, whether it's on the phone or in person, always send your interviewer a thank you email and/or letter. If you want to go the extra mile, send them a handwritten letter. Mention one or two things you enjoyed learning about on the phone that way they will know you were paying close attention to them. Doing so will keep you in your potential employer's mind when they are looking to make a decision.