Phone interviews can be tricky. Some job seekers will certainly agree with that assessment, but so may hiring managers.
However, there are a few reasons a phone interview is a great tool. The interview can be scheduled much more easily. The candidate doesn’t need to travel to your office. You can conduct the interview in your own office instead of booking a boardroom.
The phone interview has its limitations though. One of the problems is the elimination of body language. Body language tells you a lot about candidates, sometimes even more than they realize.
While it’s impossible to replace this important information, these phone interview tips will help you get more out of your candidates while you’ve got them on the line.
Be Friendly
Interviews, even ones conducted over the phone, can be nerve-wracking for job seekers. Just as you can’t see their faces and read their body language, they also can’t see you. Your tone of voice becomes extremely important.
Being friendly allows you to get a better sense of the candidates’ personality. They’re more likely to be open and honest with you when they answer questions when your tone is light and friendly.
Be Clear about the Job
What are the responsibilities of this position? What skills must the candidate absolutely have?
Being upfront will encourage the candidates to reciprocate. They’ll be more likely to answer your questions honestly. Of course, you want to find the right person for the job. Being frank about the day-to-day aspects of the role can help you zero in on the ideal candidate.
Be sure to give the candidates time to think and a timeline for a response as well.
Ask the Same Questions
If the candidates had pre-screening tests before the call or will have in-person interviews after the phone interview, ask them the same questions in each. This lets you detect fabrications and embellishments.
An honest candidate will give a similar answer each time.
Ask the Tough Questions
Don’t shy away from asking the tough questions. This is one of the best phone interview tips for hiring managers. Phone interviews often act as pre-screening for candidates, so your job is to eliminate some candidates. You only want to interview the people who are really great for the job.
Ask candidates why they left their last jobs or if they think they’re getting paid enough. These sorts of questions can help you determine who’s a good fit in short order.
Outline the Next Steps
When the interview ends, outline the next steps for the candidate, just as you would in a face-to-face interview. When you end the call, both parties should know what comes next.
Listen Carefully
Intonation is the most important information you’ll get from a phone interview. Big pauses and hesitations might hint the candidate is unprepared, confused, or unsure. On the other hand, thorough answers can display confidence.
While intonation might not tell you about someone’s skills per se, it does tell you about who they are as candidates. Do they answer questions confidently? Are they friendly and personable over the phone?
An Effective Tool
If you use these phone interview tips, you can make this interview technique one of the most effective tools in your hiring toolkit.
