How to do well in a phone interview
A business can save time and money by screening candidates over the phone before inviting them in for an in-person interview. A phone interview lets you find out if the applicant meets the basic requirements, tell them more about the job, and get to know them a little bit before the real job interview.
This article talks about why phone interviews are important, how to do them well, and gives tips and sample questions.
Why do we need to talk on the phone?
A phone interview is an initial screening of a candidate that takes place over the phone before an in-person interview. With this screening, an employer can see if a candidate’s skills are a good fit for the job and for the company’s culture. It will also check to see if the salary a candidate wants is the same as what the company is willing and able to pay. Managers can save a lot of time by using a phone interview to choose the best candidates for in-person interviews based on what the company needs and to get rid of those who would be better suited for a different job.
How to call someone and talk to them
Having a phone interview is the same as having a face-to-face interview. To make a phone interview go well, do these things:
1. Prepare
Before the phone interview, you should think about what questions you will ask the interviewer. Think of questions that can be used as a starting point and built on if necessary. Look over the candidate’s information and the job’s details before you call. Be ready to write things down.
2. Think of this as an in-person meeting.
A phone interview is a business conversation, and it should be treated like one. Use a professional tone, and if you’re nervous on the phone, practice the interview process with someone else. You should know what you’re talking about and what you want. Make sure that both the questions you ask the candidate and the answers you give are clear and to the point. Think about a quiet place for the interview so you can pay attention.
3. Ask all of the candidates the same things.
You might want to ask each candidate the same questions. This will show you what each candidate has going for them and what they have going against them in the same area. You can add more questions based on how the candidates answer the base questions.
While you have the chance, ask the candidate about their past jobs. People are often asked what they did at their last job and how big the company was. If they were a manager, you should ask them how many direct reports they had. You can then find out how much experience they have with your type of business and if it will be easy for them to switch to yours.
4. Make sure the people applying are willing to follow the company’s rules.
Make sure to ask the candidate if they are willing to follow your company’s rules, such as getting a background check and drug test before being hired. Before you hire someone, you should tell them about any other rules you have.
5. Stop talking on the phone.
Set up a meeting with the candidate to talk in person if the phone interview goes well. If the interview didn’t go well, tell the person right away that their qualifications don’t seem to match what the company is looking for right now. Thank them for their time and application.
Getting ready for a phone interview
Here are some tips that can help you do well in a phone interview:
Listen for voice cues
Since you can’t see the interviewee’s body language or posture, try to listen to their voice for clues about how they act and how they feel, such as hesitation, shakiness, confidence, and determination.
Know who you’ll be talking to.
Find out more about the person you’re going to interview before you call them. Check out their resume, their work, and their social media accounts.
The interview took place in a quiet place.
Make sure that the place where you do the interviews is quiet and not too busy. It’s important that you can hear and remember what your candidates say.
Let the person running for office do most of the talking.
Don’t say too much because you want to learn more about the person before you ask them to come back for another interview. Let the person you are interviewing talk and add to the interview.
Sample phone interview questions
You might want to ask these questions during a phone interview:
What are your good qualities?
By asking this question, you can find out what the candidate can bring to your company. Your candidate should answer in a way that shows how his or her skills will help the company.
Which of your flaws do you think is the worst?
Your candidate should show that they want to get better by how they answer this question. They understand that it’s normal to make mistakes, but they want to learn from them.
Why did you quit the last job you had?
The answer to this question can tell you about the candidate’s current situation, how they might act at your company, and their work history.
Why are you interested in working for us?
How the candidate answers this question can tell you how interested they are in the job and how well they might fit into the company’s culture.
Questions about phone interviews and their answers
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about phone interviews and their answers:
Why should I do a phone interview instead of an in-person one?
Before you meet candidates in person, a phone interview will help you get to know them and choose the best ones. This way of hiring will also save time, since only the best people for the job will have to go through a face-to-face interview.
Is talking on the phone a good way to find a new worker?
A phone interview is a good way to learn more about a candidate before you meet with them in person. Phone interviews are a great way to find a new worker.
How long should a phone interview last?
Think about giving at least 30 minutes to each phone interview. The interview could be a lot longer or a lot shorter, depending on how well the candidate fits your company’s needs.
