| You've already sent in your resume and introductory | | | | ask. |
| cover letter to a potential employer. So why do they | | | | Clarify Job History - Sometimes a person has exactly |
| want to conduct a phone interview? Why not just | | | | the right skillset for the job, but has hopped around a |
| bring you in for the real thing? | | | | lot. The phone interview can be a way to find out if |
| First of all, in the current market, there are many | | | | there was a specific reason for the |
| qualified candidates for every position which becomes | | | | movement...perhaps you love start-up companies and |
| available. You would think this would make the job of | | | | each of them have folded...or maybe you are a |
| filling the position easier, when in fact, it makes it harder. | | | | consultant and move to different assignments. If it's not |
| Recruiters and Hiring Managers have the daunting task | | | | spelled out on your resume why you left a company, |
| of looking through hundreds of resumes and must | | | | then the phone interview can provide the answers the |
| narrow it down to a handful of the best qualified to | | | | Hiring Manager needs. |
| bring in for an interview. This takes time and patience. | | | | Assess Compensation Requirements - Many times |
| Once they get the pool of candidates into a | | | | the Hiring Manager looks at a resume and makes the |
| manageable number, they begin the phone interview | | | | assumption that the person is too senior, and therefore, |
| process to narrow it down further. | | | | has too high of a salary requirement. When counseling |
| If you've made it to the phone interview stage, rejoice! | | | | my Hiring Managers, I always tell them not to let that |
| Already you've come quite far! By understanding the | | | | be a deal breaker until we know for sure what the |
| purpose of the phone interview, you will be able to | | | | candidate requires. The phone interview can be the |
| better prepare yourself. Here are some of the | | | | vehicle to have the candid conversation about |
| reasons for the phone interview: | | | | compensation requirements. |
| Assess Communication Style - regardless of what | | | | Technical Skills - For technical positions, many Hiring |
| position you will be filling, employers like to know that | | | | Managers or Lead Engineers will conduct a technical |
| the person is able to communicate. They like to know | | | | phone interview where they will ask specific technical |
| if the person is enthusiastic and has a good attitude. | | | | questions or problems. This could be as simple as |
| They want to get a sense of how the person will fit | | | | walking through a coding exercise to being asked to |
| into their team. This is very important for every | | | | solve an actual problem. They are looking for HOW |
| position. | | | | you would go about solving the problem and how you |
| Specific Questions - There could be something on | | | | think things through. It doesn't necessarily mean you |
| your resume that is not clear to the Hiring Manager. | | | | have to answer the questions correctly. Rather, it's |
| Perhaps it is your level of skill in a specific area or | | | | more about your process in solving it. |
| perhaps your objective is not clear. They may simply | | | | Look at the phone interview as an excellent |
| wish to know if you're willing to work nights or if you're | | | | opportunity to get to the next step in the process for |
| willing to relocate. Or maybe you have all of the | | | | getting hired. By understanding the purpose of the |
| experience they are looking for except for only one | | | | phone interview, you can prepare to answer questions |
| thing, in which case I always encourage the hiring | | | | that get the in-person interview. |
| manager to let me, the recruiter, call the candidate and | | | | |