Telephone Interviews
Content
Phone interviews are a screening process generally used when a company is considering several candidates, any one of whom will need to be relocated if hired.The phone interview tells them who is worth their money to fly in for a face to face – and who isn’t. Thinking it’s “just a phone interview” is tantamount to wasting both your time and the interviewer’s. A phone interview isn’t any less important than a first round, inperson interview, and it’s a whole lot tougher. They’re tougher because they feel more casual (it’s just the phone, and you’re in a familiar environment) and there are no visual cues.There’s no body language to read, no eye contact to make, no smile to reassure you.All you have is the other person’s voice and intonation.So preparation, always essential prior to any interview, is the one thing you have to fall back on to eliminate the discomfort of not being able to see the person with whom you are speaking. You need your resume in front of you, as well as your list of questions to ask.You want a pen and paper so that you can take notes.You need your list of accomplishments, what you’re looking for in your next job, why you’re interested, and how all that relates to the company with which you’re interviewing, and you need to have done research on the company – all principles I emphasize repeatedly. There’s one aspect of preparation applicable to a phone interview that isn’t necessary for an in-person interview:tape record yourself speaking.Very few people talk without using fillers - those “ers” and “ums” and “uhs” that we say so frequently we cease to become aware that they’re even part of our speech. When you play the tape back and count them, you’ll probably wince.I’m not saying you have to eliminate them, just be aware of your tendency to throw them in helter skelter.That alone is likely to reduce the number. So if you need time to think, simply say, “Let me take a minute to think about that.”It acknowledges that you heard the question and prevents you from creating that awkward dead air when a few seconds pause can seem like minutes.Some people speak slowly and pause between sentences.Resist the inclination to jump in and fill the silence.Your first clue that you need to wait a beat or two is when you find yourself apologizing the second time for having interrupted your interviewer. Awareness of the subtleties will give you an edge mentally, which impacts the outcome of the call. Smile. Not only is it a great way to relax, but it changes your voice and makes you sound friendlier, more enthusiastic. Focus completely on the conversation.You need to listen to what is being said so that you can formulate your responses in an intelligent, professional manner. Make sure you’re not disturbed.If your daughter comes in wanting to know where you put her purple Barney doll, it will shake your concentration considerably Turn off call waiting, the television, your stereo – eliminate any distractions
And do I need to advise you not to eat, chew gum or smoke? The first five to ten minutes of a phone interview can often make or break you.So not only are preparation and focus necessary, but if a prospective employer’s phone call catches you by surprise, reschedule it.You’ll be more prepared and less rattled. Next week I’ll talk about the end of the phone interview: handling that awful compensation question, how to give it a nice, professional wrap up, and what to do if you’re undecided or need more information when the phone interview has been ended.
Who uses telephone interviews?
They are especially common for sales-related jobs, particularly – surprise! – telesales, where verbal communication skills are paramount. But they are increasingly used by other employers as a preliminary screening for all kinds of jobs. You may also expect a telephone interview if you are applying for jobs abroad – in which case calls may come in at all hours of the day or night! Companies that have used these interviews include Exxon mobil, TotalFinaElf Nigeria, Sainsbury's, The Caudwell Group, Transco, Corus, BT, Standard Life, HBOS and many law firms. They are often arranged via a recruitment consultant.
What are the advantages of telephone interviewing?
There are a number of advantages of conducting employment interviews by telephone: Telephone interviews are simpler to arrange, and the process itself takes much less time than face-to-face interview sessions. When using this method as an initial screening process, the cost of interviewing a large number of candidates is much lower than if they were interviewed in person. Telephone interviewing also cuts costs when candidates live far away, since most businesses reimburse interviewee travel expenses. Using the telephone to screen out unsuitable candidates can greatly reduce these costs. This format is an ideal way to assess a candidate's telephone manner. This is particularly helpful if the job requires telephone communication skills or is heavily customer-service based.
For automated interviews, the list of questions can be completely standardized. This facilitates more objective decisions based entirely on core criteria, removing personal perceptions or biases from the process.
Are there any disadvantages to telephone interviewing?
Although telephone interviews can be very useful, there are limitations. These include: Candidates may be unfamiliar with the format or uncomfortable using the telephone, which could make them nervous and/or provoke uncharacteristic responses. It is difficult to make a thorough assessment of a candidate over the telephone. Non-verbal behavior or body language, both of which are important in forming an opinion of people, cannot be gauged over the telephone. Telephone interview candidates learn less about your business than those who visit your premises and meet potential colleagues in person. The on-site experience helps candidates decide whether they wish to pursue the interviewing process. It is important to remember that the recruitment process works both ways, providing an opportunity for candidates to assess your business as it allows you to assess them.
Advantages of telephone interviews
For the employer: They are time and cost-effective - most last about 20-25 minutes. They test your verbal communication skills and telephone They test your ability to cope with the unexpected. For you: You can refer (quickly!) to your application form, take notes – even hold on to your teddy bear for moral support. You don't need to dress up or smarten up. You don't need to spend time travelling to interview or wonder if the employer will pay your expenses. technique.
Disadvantages of telephone interviews (for you)
You can't see the interviewer to gauge their response. Tension – you never know when an employer might call to interview you. They can seem to go very quickly, without giving you much time to think about your answers - so be well prepared!
And do I need to advise you not to eat, chew gum or smoke? The first five to ten minutes of a phone interview can often make or break you.So not only are preparation and focus necessary, but if a prospective employer’s phone call catches you by surprise, reschedule it.You’ll be more prepared and less rattled. Next week I’ll talk about the end of the phone interview: handling that awful compensation question, how to give it a nice, professional wrap up, and what to do if you’re undecided or need more information when the phone interview has been ended.
Who uses telephone interviews?
They are especially common for sales-related jobs, particularly – surprise! – telesales, where verbal communication skills are paramount. But they are increasingly used by other employers as a preliminary screening for all kinds of jobs. You may also expect a telephone interview if you are applying for jobs abroad – in which case calls may come in at all hours of the day or night! Companies that have used these interviews include Exxon mobil, TotalFinaElf Nigeria, Sainsbury's, The Caudwell Group, Transco, Corus, BT, Standard Life, HBOS and many law firms. They are often arranged via a recruitment consultant.
What are the advantages of telephone interviewing?
There are a number of advantages of conducting employment interviews by telephone: Telephone interviews are simpler to arrange, and the process itself takes much less time than face-to-face interview sessions. When using this method as an initial screening process, the cost of interviewing a large number of candidates is much lower than if they were interviewed in person. Telephone interviewing also cuts costs when candidates live far away, since most businesses reimburse interviewee travel expenses. Using the telephone to screen out unsuitable candidates can greatly reduce these costs. This format is an ideal way to assess a candidate's telephone manner. This is particularly helpful if the job requires telephone communication skills or is heavily customer-service based.
For automated interviews, the list of questions can be completely standardized. This facilitates more objective decisions based entirely on core criteria, removing personal perceptions or biases from the process.
Are there any disadvantages to telephone interviewing?
Although telephone interviews can be very useful, there are limitations. These include: Candidates may be unfamiliar with the format or uncomfortable using the telephone, which could make them nervous and/or provoke uncharacteristic responses. It is difficult to make a thorough assessment of a candidate over the telephone. Non-verbal behavior or body language, both of which are important in forming an opinion of people, cannot be gauged over the telephone. Telephone interview candidates learn less about your business than those who visit your premises and meet potential colleagues in person. The on-site experience helps candidates decide whether they wish to pursue the interviewing process. It is important to remember that the recruitment process works both ways, providing an opportunity for candidates to assess your business as it allows you to assess them.
Advantages of telephone interviews
For the employer: They are time and cost-effective - most last about 20-25 minutes. They test your verbal communication skills and telephone They test your ability to cope with the unexpected. For you: You can refer (quickly!) to your application form, take notes – even hold on to your teddy bear for moral support. You don't need to dress up or smarten up. You don't need to spend time travelling to interview or wonder if the employer will pay your expenses. technique.
Disadvantages of telephone interviews (for you)
You can't see the interviewer to gauge their response. Tension – you never know when an employer might call to interview you. They can seem to go very quickly, without giving you much time to think about your answers - so be well prepared!
