What is the Phone Interview Process?
Companies can receive hundreds of resumes for each open or advertised position. Therefore, companies use phone interviews as a quick way to screen job candidates. Hiring managers want to find the most highly qualified workers to bring in for personal interviews. Phone interviews provide a convenient way for the best candidates to showcase their skills.
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The Pre-Screen
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During the pre-screening interview, a human resource manager may call you to obtain some basic information. Hiring managers may still have dozens of candidates who are qualified for an open position. The human resource manager's objective is to pare that number down to a manageable number for the actual phone interviews. The human resource manager will usually ask you if you're currently employed. You may then be asked to provide some details about your experience, education and skills. The human resource manager may be trying to find the top four to six people, for example, to invite to the actual phone interview. Inform this individual that your background meets the requirements of the job.
Phone Interview
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You talk to the actual hiring manager during the actual phone interview. For example, as a marketing manager candidate, you may speak to the marketing director or vice president. Expect specific questions related to your experience. For example, the interviewer may ask you to describe key duties on past positions and for you to provide reasons why you left past jobs. The hiring manager may also ask you what you know about her company. Preparation is the key to succeeding in phone interviews. Study your resume beforehand and research the company's website. Take notes and have them available for reference, advises Quintcareers.com. Find a quiet place for the phone interview where you won't be disturbed.
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Phone Interview: Your Questions and Answers
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Prepare questions of your own to ask the interviewer during or after discussing your background. You want to get the job but you also want to ensure the job is suitable for you. Common questions to ask during a phone interview include details about the job or work environment. Ask about some of the key projects, or the number of people who would be reporting to you directly. Relate your own experience working on similar projects, or managing people. Avoid asking salary information at this point, as this question is more suitable for a face-to-face interview. However, if the interviewer asks you about salary, deflect the question back to her. Say something like, "I have a salary range in mind. What would the salary be for this job?"
Next Steps
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Ask the interviewer about the next steps of the interview process before you leave. If you have fully matched your experience and skills to the job, you should be in a good position to get a face-to-face interview. The hiring manager will likely tell you how many people will be invited back and approximately when she will call you for another interview. Indicate how interested you are in the job, then thank the hiring manager before leaving. Immediately send a thank you letter to the interviewer; this can set you apart from other candidates.
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References
- Quintcareers.com; Phone Interview Etiquette Can Propel You to the Next Step in the Hiring Process; Maureen Crawford Hentz
- K Force: Steps to a Successful Phone Interview
- Quintcareers.com; Phone Interviewing Do's and Don'ts; Maureen Crawford Hentz
- "Fortune"; How to Ace a Phone Interview; Anne Fisher; October 2007
- Careerbuilder.com; The Best Questions to Ask in the Interview; Kate Lorenz; October 2009
- Money Crashers; Be Prepared For The Pre-Screen Phone Interview; Casey Slide
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
