Why I believe phone interviews are a joke

Let's start with a quick story that happened a decade ago.

It'll be quick. It will allow me to get the point across.

After working for a minimum-wage job for 4 years, I had to move to a different place. With-in 2.5 months of being unemployed, I couldn't get a job whenever there was a phone interview. But the moment I had a physical interview, I got the job, I was hired.

Now mind you there were a few places that did human to human interaction type of interview before so I don't want to out-right lie to you. I did several of those interviews and I'll be honest, I was not giving my 100 percent.

Speaking of percentage chances, why on earth do I have a high percentage chance of getting hired whenever a company doesn't do phone interviews?

The phone interviews

So let's understand this.

I'm given a time to answer the phone (home-line or mobile) to engage with the person who is interviewing me. Okay ...

I wait patiently next to my phone and answer once it rings.

The interview begins. The person on the other end of the line asks me questions and I answer.

At the end of the interview, I'll either be given a notice or ... well-let's-be-frank-here ... I'm not getting hired. If they don't call me again, I think it's very clear what is going on.

Let's dig deep into this process for phone interviews

The person who is conducting the interview has to capture information that'll be crucial.

In this case, answering the questions correctly and also providing enough information to any related questions. With enough additional information, the interviewer can trust the interviewee.

Let's push past the questions and answers and let's talk about charisma. If the interviewee is able to express level of energy and charm within their voice, that means they care.

Because let's be honest here, it's very hard to hire someone who is expressing low-energy, doesn't care, and is potentially selfish.

And finally, I don't feel comfortable talking about this, but it has to be done. The ability the speak a language. Back then it's just foreigners struggling to speak languages in where they currently live. Now we have to worry about certain generations who are struggling to speak their own languages. Right now Gen Z and Gen Alpha are the groups that has low literacy rates.

Now, let's dig deep elsewhere, to in-person interviews

Now let's look into the in-person, physical, human-to-human interaction, interviews.

Now before the interview even begins. The person who arranged this event can track if the interviewee is arriving to the destination on-time or not. This gives a clue to the interviewer, if the interviewee is to be trustable. If that person comes in late, there better be a good reason why.

Next we have to talk about looks. Depending on the workplace, it's very critical to not just dress appropriately but to dress seriously. Something that is either formal or business causal is the level that most will take seriously.

We are not done yet, looks is one thing. But the other, is hygiene. It's good to have a haircut beforehand, that's great. I'm speaking about the smell. It's not good if the interviewer can smell that either the person have went overboard on fragrances or never bothered to shower.

Now, before the interview even happens. First impressions and a quick introduction is needed. Providing a greeting such as "hello" and also providing a name is good. But it's even better to take the next step, a good firm handshake. This gives insight to the interviewer that this person is a good candidate.

It's time. To sit down. And of course, understand the power of body language. Awhile all of us are wired to the internet, we all have the infamous hunched over pose whenever we use an electronics device. That will not happen, it needs to be the opposite. It's one thing to walk straight, sitting straight is essential. By having a good posture, it gives signal the interviewer that things are going to get real. It's a challenge to do this for a hour or so, but it pays off. Besides, who wants to talk to a person who is crossing arms and slouching (not at eye level if you think about it.)

Head and chin must be upwards, not pointed downwards.

Bonus points if the interviewee is utilising arms and fingers if needed. No need to get crazy with it, just use when necessary.

But here comes the massive part, eye contact. There is no need to be creepy about it. But it's very simple. The more eye contact is being used, the more the interviewer is able to take the interviewee very seriously. Do you think the interviewer would like a person who is constantly looking down and away? I don't think so.

There is something beautiful about a human's voice. Their vocal cords. The fact the interviewer can hear clearly in-person compared to a phone call, is night n' day. Let's be honest, phone calls can drop, volume issues, interference, and maybe some embarrassing 3rd party disturbing the call (maybe even a child making noise.)

Thankfully there is no technical issues when it's voice to voice in person. Meaning, that the only challenge, is to provide excellent answers to the interviewer.

Now for some extra points, for the interviewee to become the interviewer. It's okay to ask questions and learn more about the company. They really like that because they know when they see a potential employee. Even better, turn the interview into a friendly conversation can be a secure way of winning. Just don't derail too far. Just focus on work only.

Okay let's put it on a table

You can see there is a lot of positive variables here. The chances of getting a job from an in-person interview is a lot higher than phone alone.

What about group interviews?

I've only done that once. And guess what? I got the job. What made this easy for me is that I happened to be sitting next to a guy who is dressed in the most basic clothing you can ever expect, t-shirt and jeans. That's not it though, he did even worse. The guy was slouching and crossing his arms, not giving a darn. He sometimes looks down at the empty table. Awhile I was wearing a white dress shirt and black business pants, the rest of the ladies were wearing fabulous dresses. That's right, there were only two guys in that room, it's the slouching guy and me. This was an easy battle for me.

Group interviews are designed for one big aspect, to test to see how friendly each person is. It's not just pleasing the interviewer, but it's pleasing the rest of people inside the room. It's clear the most social can win but the questions still must be answered no matter what. Any slip up can happen, so lowering one's guard is never a good idea.

Obviously, try not to talk over someone. Let each person take their time speaking. Of course, everyone has to look at the person speaking too (I'm talking to you Mr.Sloucher.)

But why? Why do phone interviews even exist now-a-days?!

I think the only simple reason is to save time.

I feel as if I am ever given the moment of a phone interview I'd just tell that they won a lottery. They are gonna have a guy that'll come to office on-time, dressed sharp, smells good, willing to have a nice conversation. Even better, I'm not just wasting time, money, and gasoline to get there ... I'm already there, like a horror film. So, let's talk in person like the good ol' days.

But really, let's speak more about the companies reasoning. If I understand right, you'll have a HR person just going on a hiring spree, let's say ten candidates. They could spread out three plus days to conduct in-person interviews, or, just do phone interviews all in one day.

Don't get me wrong, there is such thing as multiple interview processes. How that works is that there'll be two phone interviews and the final interview will be in person. Either way, you know my preferred method by now.

Fine, what about video calls?

That, I have no experience with.

But what I've listed so far should still be relevant. The catch is to understand the limitations of the video calls which is going to be video, audio, and network issues.

I think it's painfully obvious to make sure to have a headphone plugged in or otherwise it'll be creating echo. Also microphone must be tested too. And prey there'll be no issues network wise.

If there is anything I want to explore is the idea of a "webcam etiquette." It's very gross to have the webcam lowered down to the point where viewers are going to see the nostrils of a nose. The webcam must be pointed at eye level. The real challenge though, is looking at the camera rather than the monitor. There are specialized webcams that can be placed at the middle of the monitor. Either way, it's going to take practice.

The other side: Faking it

This is something I'll have mixed feelings about no matter what. And that is faking it.

I understand that getting a job is even more difficult than ever before. So it's no wonder many people are choosing to either lie or just pretend to be someone else when the interview happens.

I think this is why I despise phone interviews, because other than answering and having the right tone of the voice, what else can you do? Go out of your comfort zone and be over-the-top? This is why I prefer in-person interviews because you can be genuine and authentic. The interviewer can automatically detect lies and nonsense right off the bat by both audio and visual. Back to the phone? It's just audio only.

For me I believe it's best to be honest. The more lies that will be put on the table, the more the company will expect a lot.

So should phone interviews be banned?

Yes.