Are Over-The-Phone Interviews Becoming More Popular
By drknlvly6781
@drknlvly6781 (6246)
United States
May 13, 2008 8:44pm CST
Just last week, after months of sending out resumes, I was contacted for a job position. The woman ran down the specifications of the position, and asked me a few job-related questions.
I was fully prepared at this point to schedule a face-to-face interview, but was in for a shock instead. The woman said that she was offering me the position, and would be sending me the HR paperwork via e-mail to fill out and fax back to her. Pending a background check, I will be starting my new job Sunday night.
This is my first experience with this, except for a company I worked for as a virtual call center agent. Outside of that, what's always happened to me is that I get a phone interview, then schedule a face-to-face. Now my first night at work will be my first time seeing the inside of the facility, and meeting the managers and other staff.
Is this the way the work world is headed? Will face-to-face interviews soon be a thing of the past? Who else here has experience this type of hiring process? I understand some of the benefits this can bring; less man-hours used for hiring new people on the company side, less spent on gas or bus fare for candidates, especially for those who don't make the cut. But what are we losing in the tradeoff? Your thoughts MyLot.
4 responses
@gemini_rose (16264)
•
17 May 08
That is pretty cool actually, that would suit me down to the ground!! Doing it all over the phone, no sitting around waiting outside, trying not to be nervous and trying to make the best impression that you can.
I would have loved that, it would not surprise me if this was the way things were headed, or even in the future using webcams to conduct interviews. But whatever the interview method, it worked out well for you, so you must have used a good phone voice when you answered!!
1 person likes this
@drknlvly6781 (6246)
• United States
23 Jun 08
I always use a good phone voice during professional calls. Its been ingrained in me since I had my first call center position in high school. To talk to me in a professional setting, and then again in a relaxed setting, you would never know the two people were the same lol.
@julyteen (13252)
• Davao, Philippines
16 May 08
i remember one time when i received a phone call, that was during my meal. i am not prepared on that time. the job i am applying for is call agent, i saw it online. i promise myself that i will not get into work anymore instead engage in business. but i try the company if it is legitimate. it is not my plan to work for them that's only for fun what if i am accepted to work for them, would i accept that would be in my mind. after resigning from 6 years work i go back to school because i missed schooling, so if i am accepted what will happen to my schooling? many questions come into my mind. when the final questions i heard from the interviewer, she said what you did recently to earn money? i directly said i am managing my own business now. that answer turn me to failed the interview, instead of feeling disappointment, i am happy because i failed the interview.
@drknlvly6781 (6246)
• United States
23 Jun 08
What type of job was this where you lost a chance at the position because you owned your own business? I don't think I would want to work at a place that doesn't allow entrepreneurialship. I don't expect any job to support it, but at least respect the fact that I am.
@roniroxas (10559)
• Philippines
15 May 08
i dont think that face to face interview is a thing from the past but it is easy to interview people on the phone. you dont hvae to dress nice and go to where that office is and find out that you are not fit for the job. it would be a waste of time. but i can say that not all work is that way. i am a singer and we always have a face to face interview if ever we are looking for a job. they need to be sure we sing good too so they need to see us face to face and hear us too.
@drknlvly6781 (6246)
• United States
16 May 08
I can understand the need to have face-to-face interviews in your profession. You would have to hear the person sing, and that doesn't sound too well over some phones. Also you would have to see if the person would fit in well with the rest of the band.
I understand that a lot of jobs wouldn't be able to do this sort of interview process at all, because hiring for some positions would require having to see the person being considered. But, before this, I thought all positions would hire in person if you are expected to show up to a physical workplace.
@skinnychick (6905)
• United States
15 May 08
My mom was recently interviewing and this happened to her. She was hired on the spot over the phone. Maybe you had the attitude and experience they were looking for. Positivity always helps too. Nice job and congrats!
1 person likes this
@drknlvly6781 (6246)
• United States
16 May 08
Thanks Skinny, and I think you are right. The hiring manager has called me several times to get everything straight. Now when we talk, we talk as though we are old girlfriends instead of manager and employee. I don't know how I did it, but I have built a nice rapport with this manager.
