| Before being invited to a face-to-face job interview, | | | | not you are serious about leaving your current |
| most employers will schedule a phone interview. Have | | | | employer. |
| you ever wondered what the purpose of a phone | | | | Phone Interview Purpose #4: See if the Candidate is a |
| interview was? Or why an employer asks the | | | | Cultural Fit |
| questions they ask? After looking over the following | | | | Every company has its own culture. Some companies |
| reasons as to why an employer schedules a phone | | | | require you to wear a suit and tie to work every day, |
| interview, you might think about taking the next one a | | | | others accept you in sweats. Some companies have |
| little more seriously. | | | | large departments while others expect their |
| Phone Interview Purpose #1: Fill in Missing Information | | | | employees to work alone. Every candidate has a |
| Often times a candidate's resume is either outdated or | | | | preference as to how they would like to work and if |
| contains little relevant information. An employer will | | | | they are put into an environment that is uncomfortable |
| schedule a phone interview so that they may fill in the | | | | for them to work in, not much will get accomplished |
| mission information on the candidate's resume. This | | | | and their length of time with the company will likely be |
| information may include job dates, job responsibilities, | | | | shortened. This is a very important topic during a |
| reason for leaving, their education background and | | | | phone interview. |
| certifications. | | | | Phone Interview Purpose #5: Test Candidate's |
| Phone Interview Purpose #2: Get a Sense as To | | | | Communication Skills |
| Candidate's Level of Qualification | | | | Let's just face it, not everyone is a phone talker. While |
| Employers will often ask specific questions relating to | | | | some individuals can talk for hours, others can't wait to |
| the candidate's qualifications. They may use examples, | | | | hang up! Luckily, employers aren't testing a candidate's |
| ask for explanations or have the candidate describe a | | | | ability to talk on the phone, they are making sure the |
| situation. These questions all relate to whether the | | | | candidate is focused on the conversation, can |
| employee is capable of meeting the job requirements. | | | | articulate their previous work experience, sound |
| Phone Interview Purpose #3: Determine the | | | | educated and avoid the use of foul language. |
| Candidate's Level of Interest | | | | Phone Interview Purpose #6: Determine Whether to |
| Employers filter through dozens of resumes on a daily | | | | Schedule a Face-to-Face Interview |
| basis. Some candidate's place their resume online to | | | | If an employer feels that the candidate may be a good |
| "test the waters" so to speak, others are serious | | | | fit for the company and they position after the phone |
| about finding a new position. By asking questions such | | | | interview, the employer will make the next step so that |
| as, "When will you be available to start?" and, "When | | | | the candidate may personally meet the employer in a |
| do you anticipate on leaving your current employer?" | | | | more formal setting. |
| will help to give employers a grasp as to whether or | | | | |