Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary benefit of using telephone interviews for initial candidate screening?
What is the primary benefit of using telephone interviews for initial candidate screening?
How much time can be saved using telephone interviews compared to face-to-face interviews, according to the text?
How much time can be saved using telephone interviews compared to face-to-face interviews, according to the text?
What is a major pitfall to avoid when hiring?
What is a major pitfall to avoid when hiring?
Why is it beneficial to have a diverse team?
Why is it beneficial to have a diverse team?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a common error to avoid that is mentioned in the text?
What is a common error to avoid that is mentioned in the text?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary focus when scheduling telephone interviews with employed candidates?
What is the primary focus when scheduling telephone interviews with employed candidates?
Signup and view all the answers
When preparing for a phone interview, what ratio of speaking to listening should the interviewer aim for?
When preparing for a phone interview, what ratio of speaking to listening should the interviewer aim for?
Signup and view all the answers
What should an interviewer do if they identify a mismatch during the initial phone interview?
What should an interviewer do if they identify a mismatch during the initial phone interview?
Signup and view all the answers
What is one effective way to initiate a phone interview?
What is one effective way to initiate a phone interview?
Signup and view all the answers
How should the interviewer approach explaining the job details during the call?
How should the interviewer approach explaining the job details during the call?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the purpose of asking a candidate about their understanding of the job's responsibilities?
What is the purpose of asking a candidate about their understanding of the job's responsibilities?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a recommended alternative if a candidate requests to reschedule the call?
What is a recommended alternative if a candidate requests to reschedule the call?
Signup and view all the answers
During a phone interview, how can the interviewer maintain an objective evaluation of the candidate?
During a phone interview, how can the interviewer maintain an objective evaluation of the candidate?
Signup and view all the answers
What is essential for the interviewer to verify during the phone interview?
What is essential for the interviewer to verify during the phone interview?
Signup and view all the answers
What should be the focus when asking about a candidate's responsibilities in a critical skill area?
What should be the focus when asking about a candidate's responsibilities in a critical skill area?
Signup and view all the answers
Why should you avoid asking candidates how many years of experience they have in a skill?
Why should you avoid asking candidates how many years of experience they have in a skill?
Signup and view all the answers
What type of questions can be used to gauge a candidate's understanding of their job's impact on the company?
What type of questions can be used to gauge a candidate's understanding of their job's impact on the company?
Signup and view all the answers
When assessing a candidate's feelings about repetitive tasks, which aspect should not be overlooked?
When assessing a candidate's feelings about repetitive tasks, which aspect should not be overlooked?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary purpose of having a set sequence of interview questions?
What is the primary purpose of having a set sequence of interview questions?
Signup and view all the answers
Which follow-up question allows you to explore a candidate's successful experiences?
Which follow-up question allows you to explore a candidate's successful experiences?
Signup and view all the answers
What should be explored when asking a candidate what aspects of their job they like best?
What should be explored when asking a candidate what aspects of their job they like best?
Signup and view all the answers
What major qualities should a competent professional possess according to the interview process?
What major qualities should a competent professional possess according to the interview process?
Signup and view all the answers
What kind of information can you obtain by asking about a candidate's experience with specific job responsibilities?
What kind of information can you obtain by asking about a candidate's experience with specific job responsibilities?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the biggest mistake mentioned in the content?
What is the biggest mistake mentioned in the content?
Signup and view all the answers
According to the content, what is the goal of a telephone interview?
According to the content, what is the goal of a telephone interview?
Signup and view all the answers
When is it acceptable to hire a candidate who has all the necessary skills and experience?
When is it acceptable to hire a candidate who has all the necessary skills and experience?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is NOT a benefit of using a telephone interview?
Which of the following is NOT a benefit of using a telephone interview?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the author's recommendation for hiring a candidate who has 70% of the required skills?
What is the author's recommendation for hiring a candidate who has 70% of the required skills?
Signup and view all the answers
Why is it important to focus on the "must-have" critical skills in a telephone interview?
Why is it important to focus on the "must-have" critical skills in a telephone interview?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Telephone Interviews: A Time-Saving Hiring Strategy
- Time Savings: Face-to-face interviews for mid-level professionals often take 30+ minutes, while phone interviews can be as short as 5–15 minutes, increasing efficiency by 50–75%. Senior-level interviews are longer, yet phone interviews still save significant time focusing on skills instead of small talk.
Interviewing Mistakes
-
Hiring in Your Own Image: Hiring based on personal preferences (e.g., shared schools, looks, etc.) is unethical and myopic. Ideal teams reflect customer base diversity, leading to better insight and improved client/vendor relations.
-
Hiring Overqualified Candidates: Hiring excessively skilled candidates can lead to boredom and employee seeking more challenges, raises, or promotions.
-
Exceptions: More senior levels with compensation as the primary driver and experienced candidates (often 50s & 60s) who may have lost out due to mergers/layoffs. These candidates know the job, bring experience, less likely to job-hop, and often trustworthy.
-
Most situations benefit from hiring candidates with 70% of job skills, allowing for growth and lower initial cost.
-
Skipping the Telephone Interview: Straight to in-person interviews is a mistake. Phone interviews allow you to quickly asses if the candidate is qualified to proceed to the in-person interview (within ~30 seconds you should know if the candidate can’t do the job). This avoids waste of your time and their time.
Phone Interview Techniques
- Focus on Critical Skills: Phone interviews should be utilized as a screening tool only. Focus on essential skills, and don't probe into transferable skills or personality; these are not assessable over the phone.
- Efficient Questioning: Interviewing style should emphasize active listening (80% of the time) and concise questioning. Questions are primarily focused on candidates understanding of the requirements of the position. Key questions include aspects of the job responsibilities and their experience.
- Avoid unnecessary pleasantries: Get straight to the point and ask relevant questions.
- Focus on the candidate's knowledge and understanding of the position, not on their entire background.
- Use questions to assess the candidate's ability to complete core responsibilities. Examples: how their past work relates to present position, what aspects of his/her prior work he/she considered the most crucial etc.
- Addressing Salary: Discuss salary early in the phone interview to avoid wasted time or effort. The goal is initial matching only; money isn't negotiated yet. Questions to ask: desired salary range and comparable starting salary of their last/current position.
Decisions and Follow-up
-
3 Outcomes: Phone interview results in one of three outcomes:
-
Not qualified: End the conversation professionally by offering to keep them in mind for future opportunities.
-
Unsure/Need more info: Encourage the candidate to send an email with more detail.
-
Qualified: Schedule a face-to-face interview.
-
Follow-up: Coordinate interviews with relevant participants. Include elements such as confidentiality and procedures for salary and background checks.
Training and Succession Planning
- Staff Training: Encourage staff involvement in the interview process by providing resources (e.g., this guide) and conducting practice interviews.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Discover the advantages of telephone interviews in the hiring process, focusing on time efficiency and skill assessment. Learn about common interviewing mistakes, such as hiring in your own image and overqualified candidates, to enhance your recruitment strategy effectively.