Why you should interview by phone
Even if you prefer to meet candidates in person, a phone interview is a great opportunity to ask a few preliminary questions and determine which applicants meet the necessary job requirements. Because scheduling and conducting in-person interviews can be time-consuming, it’s best to reserve them only for the candidates you’ve already spoken with and know have the most important skills and experience you’re looking for.
Holding a round of phone interviews is also a great way to speak with numerous candidates, get an initial feel for the talent pool and determine whether your salary budget and skill expectations align with applicants’ professional levels. This first conversation gives you a chance to gain insight into job seekers’ expectations and early impressions of your company, too.
When you post a job on Indeed, you can call candidates directly from your Employer Dashboard on your computer. Our click-to-call feature acts like a regular audio-only phone call and is an easy way to quickly connect with candidates who’ve applied for your jobs, no need to track down candidate phone numbers or interview outside of the platform.
Another way to quickly connect with candidates is through video interviews. Here’s how to conduct a virtual interview on Indeed.
How to prepare for a phone interview
Taking time to prepare for phone interviews will ensure you’re making the most of your time and adequately vetting your candidate pool. Here are a few things to consider when planning your calls:
- Review candidates thoroughly. Be sure to read through an applicant’s resume, application and any links to portfolios or social media pages they’ve shared before the phone interview. Look for interesting career highlights or experiences you would like to discuss.
- Prepare thoughtful questions. Prepare a standard set of questions that will help you identify whether the candidate meets the basic job requirements and determine why they’re interested in working with your organization. Consider including a few preliminary situational interview questions, if time permits.
- Dedicate time and space for the call. Block out time on your schedule and find a quiet place to conduct the call so you can give the applicant your full attention. In addition to setting aside time for your questions, include a few extra minutes in case the applicant has questions for you, too.
Tips for conducting a phone interview
While a phone call offers an excellent opportunity to learn more about potential candidates, it’s also useful for evaluating applicants’ professionalism and communication skills.
As you begin conducting phone interviews, keep in mind:
- A phone call is a conversation. It is exciting to talk about your company and the position for which you are looking to hire, but try not to dominate the call. Make sure the applicant has plenty of chances to share their thoughts and ask questions.
- Have energy and enthusiasm. A phone interview is one of the first impressions an applicant will have of your organization, so it’s important you maintain a positive and upbeat tone. Make sure you’re approaching each of your calls with the same level of energy. Take breaks between calls if necessary.
- Avoid distractions. Make sure you are in a quiet, private space where you’re unlikely to be interrupted. Avoid conducting calls while driving or eating lunch in a public area. Don’t check your email or conduct any other tasks during the call to ensure you can concentrate on the conversation and provide the applicant your undivided attention.
- Let them ask questions. Invite candidates to ask questions about the job, the company and the hiring process. While phone interviews are useful for employers to assess applicants, it’s also helpful for job seekers to determine whether or not they feel they’re a good fit and want to proceed further. Make sure they have all of the information they need to make the right decision.
After the call
Before ending the call, be sure to set proper expectations by outlining the next steps in the hiring process. Let applicants know whether they’ll receive a followup email or another phone call from someone else in your company. Finally, show gratitude by thanking them for their time.
Phone interviews can help you streamline your hiring process and save time by determining which applicants are likely to be the best fit before you begin conducting in-person meetings. Once you’ve identified your top candidates, you can easily proceed to the next phase.
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