Need to Interview Potential Employees by Phone? 3 Things to Avoid

Of all the interview techniques at your disposal, screening potential hires by phone is a great strategy for narrowing your pool of candidates before you begin face-to-face interviews. But if you don’t prepare for them properly, you not only waste time but potentially lose out on some top-tier talent. Use these tips to avoid missing out on connecting with the best candidates.

1. Be Prepared

Avoid falling into the trap of thinking of a phone interview is simply a conversation. Preparation is key to getting the most out of them. Before you get the candidate on the line:

• Carefully review the position’s job description.
• Create a master list of interview questions and use the same ones for each candidate.
• Review the candidate’s resume and ask one or two specific questions.

Don’t be afraid to ask candidates tough questions. The goal is the same as all other interview techniques – get enough useful information to make a qualified evaluation and choice. Try an online pre-screening tool like Charlie or Context Scout to learn more about candidates before talking to them.

2. Take Notes

Don’t rely on memory alone, because no matter how great your recall, you will not remember what each candidate says. Unless you have a silent keyboard, use a pen and paper. A candidate can be easily distracted by the clicking of keys, and it can give the impression you’re not really listening or fully engaged in the conversation. Jot down specifics, but also make notes of your overall impression of the person being interviewed. Taking good notes helps you avoid falling into the likability trap and ensures that each candidate is assessed on the strengths and weaknesses they’ll bring to the position. Consider creating a master template so that your notes for each candidate are consistently organized.

3. Mind Your Manners

This is one area where the advice is pretty much the same for interviewers and candidates alike: be polite:

• Avoid dominating the conversation. To get the most information you need to make an informed decision, aim for a 20/80 split with the candidate doing the most talking.
• Be patient. If there is a pause in the conversation, wait it out. Your candidate may just be giving some thought to her or his response. Make a note of this admirable character trait if a particular candidate uses it often.
• Refrain from asking too many personal questions. Express interest, but stay focused on a candidate’s abilities for the position.
• Don’t forget to have a glass of water on hand.

Remember that this is your first opportunity to assess a candidate’s communication skills. Phone calls can be one of the best interview techniques you use for screening candidates. You not only get a great overview of accomplishments in a short amount of time, but you’re also better prepared for a more in-depth second interview in person. It’s the surest way to know you’re interviewing highly-qualified candidates and increasing your chances of hiring the right team player.