Have you ever had a phone interview?
By palonghorn
@palonghorn (5479)
United States
March 30, 2010 10:18pm CST
I received a phone call last week, to set up a job interview, by phone. I had that interview today, and it seemed to go pretty well. It was a conference call and there were actually 3 individuals asking me questions about the job, past experience, etc. They did comment that they had a lot of applications, they would do the phone interviews, and then if you make the cut they call back for you to come in and have an interview in person. So I was wondering if anyone else had gone through a phone interview for a job.
10 responses
@TheAdvocate (2392)
• Philippines
31 Mar 10
I have had several phone interviews myself. Personally, I like it when a prospective employer conducts a phone interview first before a face to face interview. Because of technology, we do a lot of business by phone. It is therefore helpful for the employer to determine how an interviewee would do in a phone situation. It takes a lot of skill to talk to another person without seeing their facial expression. It saves a lot of time and money for both interviewer and interviewee this way.
1 person likes this
@palonghorn (5479)
• United States
31 Mar 10
I agree that it does save money, particularly in this situation, to go in for an interview would be about a 2 hour drive for me. However, the job that I have applied for won't have much phone communications involved, I'll be out in the field, literally, it's for wildland firefighter position. That is the basic part of the job, there is also travel involved.
@TheAdvocate (2392)
• Philippines
31 Mar 10
In that case, you have a point that in this particular job, a face-to-face is the best way to choose the best candidate. I suppose recession has forced your prospective employer to do phone interviews first to weed out the undesirables. Well, at least they gave you a chance to set our your case. Wow, firefighter, cool job!
1 person likes this
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
31 Mar 10
Hey palonghorn! It has been quite awhile since I have interviewed
for a job, but yes I have had phone interviews before! And,
not just one! First you send in a resume or application and
then you get a phone call back (if even that much)! Then you
get asked some more questions and if the person or persons are
interested then they have you come in for a face to face! And
I have had more than one face to face interview and still
didn't get the job! I think that was the most upsetting when
I was called back not twice but three times for one job and
it was down to two of us and I still didn't get it!
1 person likes this
@palonghorn (5479)
• United States
31 Mar 10
I hate that too. But the one thing I have always realized is that we don't know who we are up against. We don't know if in fact they are more qualified, have had more experience, etc. They have my resume, and copies of all my certifications, so we'll see if I make to the next round, called back for face to face.
@kriskhedkar (877)
• India
31 Mar 10
I think nowadays it has become common thing to have telephonic interviews. I guess, It helps both company and interviewee to save some cost on account of traveling to job locations. Also interviewer can get some hint about the communication skills. So here it is done usually as first round of interviews and then they call-in to have detailed discussions. Though I would prefer face to face interview than a telephonic one.
1 person likes this
@palonghorn (5479)
• United States
31 Mar 10
I agree with you, I would rather do it face to face. Although I have to admit I was just as nervous right before the interview started as I would be if I were going in for the interview.
@autumndreamer (3185)
• Philippines
31 Mar 10
I've had a phone interview three months ago when I applied for a job at a call center agency. There's only one person asking me questions and I was so nervous but I didn't show it or let it be obvious that I really am nervous when he asks me questions.
@palonghorn (5479)
• United States
31 Mar 10
I have worked for this agency in another state, so I pretty much knew what questions to expect. Like you, I was nervous, even though it was over the phone.
@frontvisions101 (16043)
• Philippines
31 Mar 10
I've had lots of phone interviews before. It was ok. I think it was just a way to let you know that they have recieved your application. Atleast for me that was the case because when i arrived there i had to be processed like any other walk in applicants.
1 person likes this
@palonghorn (5479)
• United States
31 Mar 10
This was the first phone interview for me. But since I know the position, I'm sure they had a lot of applications to go through, guess it's just their way of finding out the more qualified applicants to come in for a face to face interview.
@besthope44 (12123)
• India
1 Apr 10
Well i had lot of telephonic interviews when i was searching for a job. Most of the calls are from abroad and i always have an eager to hear the other end Hello with an different accent and tone!
1 person likes this
@kelvidpang (160)
• Malaysia
9 May 10
Hi palong,
I am personally like the phone interview for the first contact with the prospective company rather than face to face interview. Due to the geography location, I need to take leave to attend the face-to-face interview, so I'll think twice of the chance to get the job. If the chance is high, I'll go indeed.
@renzoray (59)
•
1 Apr 10
I also received a phone call interview some time last month when I applied in a call center. And just like you, there were about three persons in that call interviewing me. The reason for such type of interview is probably because the ones interviewing are out of the country. They will have to assess the applicants regarding the way they answered their questions. Its kinda relaxing way of having a job interview for you will not have to deal with the tension caused by the environment. All you have to do is to look for a relaxing place to answer the call and who knows you might just get hired over the phone.
@greyz7 (859)
• Philippines
1 Apr 10
Interview via phone is an easy access to employment processing nowadays. Most especially if the employer/interviewer is far from your area. I have tried being interviewed over the phone and it's a good feeling because i hardly felt any signs of nervousness, unlike the personal interview.
