Is it weird to request a phone interview instead of video?

24 Comments

1. AnonymousAugust 2,2022 at 8:36PM UTC

   Sure, it's worth a try.

2. AnonymousAugust 2,2022 at 9:22PM UTC

   I don't see anything wrong with asking for a phone interview, instead. The worst they could say is "no" or ask "why." If they do ask why, I believe you need a stronger reason. Being awkward on camera is a struggle for some of us (I'm definitely awkward lol! I do not have a poker face haha).

   They could push back and also point out that being on camera would be part of the job and hiring process. Or, they might ask for an in-person (not sure if they're doing those right now). Good luck to you!

3. Julie HumbirdAugust 2,2022 at 10:01PM UTC

   Way to not have a video call without asking: Join the call from the dial-in number provided in the invite and apologize that your internet service is having a rare service outage preventing you for joining from your workstation.

4. JenniferAugust 3,2022 at 12:55AM UTC

   That might work in some situations, like when you're already an employee, but I don't think this would come off well in an interview. It shows that the candidate did not find a solution to allow her to meet the reasonable terms for the interview that had been laid out in advance.

   Possible solutions: Using the cellphone as a hotspot for laptop. Finding an appropriate alternative location that did have internet. Not enough time? Although inconvenient, people can, and do, take video calls from their phones. The only work around the candidate needs is some random stuff to securely prop up the phone so she could have her hands free.

   I'm not saying I'd condemn and write a candidate off in a situation like "rare service outage," it's just better to avoid creating potential questions and concerns in a hiring manager's mind, especially if it's avoidable.

5. AnonymousAugust 4,2022 at 1:13PM UTC

   Horrible advice to start of a possible work relationship with deceit.

6. Audrey KirschAugust 2,2022 at 10:11PM UTC

   With the zoom / team meeting being the norm these days it may be hard to avoid being on camera at some point. Maybe you can practice with family or friends prior to an interview. An initial interview by phone is fine but when meeting the team, most will want to socially interact with you. Unless you're applying for a position where you will never have to interact with clients or team members, I think you will need to figure out some tricks to keep from being awkward during video interviews.

7. AnonymousAugust 2,2022 at 10:41PM UTC

   Work on practicing and building your confidence until this is no longer a worry.
   I would not ask the employer to downgrade the interview to a phone bc even if they allow it, they will likely factor that into their decision making. They want to see who they may potentially bring on board. They pay attention to body language to get a sense of who you are in addition to the tone and pitch of your voice. It's okay to be awkward, what's more important is how you answer the questions about the skills needed for the job. Get a zoom account for yourself and have family or friends interview you. Or if they are too busy, still get on a zoom and come up with 20-30 questions with prepared answers and rehearse them.

   For ex take the job description and turn those into questions.
   Set up questions about soft skills, regarding your collaborative approach with others.
   Always have 6-8 scenarios of challenges you encountered with people and projects that you were able to successfully navigate and overcome. Most interview questions can be answered based on those type of scenarios so if you are prepared with 6-8 scenarios, you can more easily tailor them to your response more readily and confidently on your interview.

   Don't sit there and let your anxiety build up. Take action, get a zoom account. write out those 30 questions and use your time wisely to rehearse out loud either with a friend or alone. When you do get your zoom account, click on your face so it fills the screen so you can see your body language as you answer questions. One good tip about doing zoom interviews compared to face to face that no one talks about is you can keep all of your notes if in a word doc, pulled up on your computer. If it is eye level to the audience, you can read off of it, and refer to it, eyes level with them and they would not even notice. Use what you can to your advantage, take action and go get em! Change your attitude to from fear to confidence which can be built from practicing as advised in the comments.

8. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistAugust 3,2022 at 12:57AM UTC

   Is there something different that you're doing on the phone interviews vs the video interviews? When you say "I have my points lined up" what, specifically, do you mean by that?

   I think it would not be to your advantage to ask for a phone instead of video interview. These days, lots of meetings happen on video and companies want to hire people who are comfortable with that technology.

   You obviously know your stuff if you don't have this issue on phone calls. What do you think is making the difference on the video calls? Is it in your head? Are you looking at yourself?

   I, personally, hate doing video calls but there's no difference in my performance one vs the other.

   One thing I recommend to candidates as general interview prep is to tape themselves asking themselves questions and then answering them. I promise you, that answer will sound a whole lot better the 20th time you say it than the first.

   This will allow you to edit your answers to precisely get across what you want. I used to practice in the car, in the shower. Doing this can help improve your confidence if you get nervous or help you stay on point if you sometimes ramble. Feeling more prepared might make you feel less nervous.

   And please make sure you listen and answer the question you were asked. I've had candidates talk for 5 minutes and not answer the question I asked them.

   You got this - you're talking about you and you're already the subject matter expert on that!

   Please let me know if you have any questions. GOOD LUCK!

9. AnonymousAugust 3,2022 at 12:54PM UTC

   I think covering myself might be a good solution. I’m completely fine doing video calls EXCEPT in an interview situation. I get twitchy and lose all memory of my prepared summaries. Thank you for the pointers!!!

10. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistAugust 3,2022 at 6:50PM UTC

    YOU SAID:

    "lose all memory of my prepared summaries"

    I would recommend you put together some index cards with an outline of the points you want to hit on. You can discretely check them to make sure you're keeping on track.

    You don't have to remember everything! That's one of the advantages of doing video vs in-person - you can have a cheatsheet!

11. AnonymousAugust 4,2022 at 2:00PM UTC

    I put all of my points in a word doc and keep it on screen. Anyone who has an issue with me taking notes or checking my questions/agenda during a meeting is probably not someone I want to work for anyway.

12. AnonymousAugust 4,2022 at 2:18PM UTC

    I can relate! I get anxious on video calls but here’s what I do. First, I make sure I’m good with the camera angle. You can even get desk sized camera stands on Amazon. I have one and it makes the angle so much better. Or you can put your laptop on a stack of sturdy books to get whatever height you’re comfortable with. Then I get all my notes super organized on sheets of paper and make sure to write large enough that I can read it about a foot away. Put those on the table next to you, laid out so you don’t have to do much shuffling. For my main points that I really don’t want to forget, I put them on card stock so the paper is stiff and then I actually tape that to the side of my monitor so I can reference it while still keeping my head up towards the camera. Just make sure none of your papers are in the view of the camera. I always try this method out a day or two prior to my interview so I know it will be a success. You could also have your points up on your computer to reference but I don’t like messing with extra software during an interview in case something weird happens. I feel like I can count on my paper notes better. And get familiar with the software your interview will be done on. If it’s zoom, make sure you can sign into your zoom account and do a practice run by yourself or with a friend a day before the interview. Good luck!

13. JenniferAugust 3,2022 at 1:41AM UTC

    I would not recommend that you mention this to the company, but if you choose to do so, do not use the word "accommodation." Accommodation in this context would be what a person with a disability requests in order to be able to complete the interview. Using it with HR would be confusing/misleading.

    It's totally understandable that you find phone interviews more comfortable. Many of us feel this way. You find a phone interview more comfortable than an in-person interview as well, right?

    From my perspective, video interviews have taken the place of what would previously been in-person interviews, so that's how I treat them. Personally, I find video interviews way less stressful than in-person. When I think of them as a substitute for in-person, it becomes "Yay, video interview!" instead of "Boo, I wish I didn't have to have my camera on."

    If it's your own image that distracts you (having to see yourself), then once you're set up so that you know the camera is correctly positioned, put a post-it note over the view of yourself.

    Good luck!

14. Maegan, Nike Sales Rep & Career CoachAugust 3,2022 at 7:01PM UTC

    You could even state this in a confident way upfront.

    It can help break the ice and help them be more understanding.

    I'd also practice. Even recording yourself can help getting used to being on video. This really helped me when I was preparing for video interviews a few years ago. You get used to it the more you do it!

    I also challenge you to think this way : if you are confident on the phone kill interviews that way, you can only be BETTER on video!

15. AnonymousAugust 4,2022 at 12:32PM UTC

    I would not ask for this accommodation. If you feel uncomfortable on camera, I would suggest minimizing that screen and looking at another screen (maybe a notes page or your resume) instead. I've done this in the past and found that I'm less subconscious about being on video.

16. Maggie StoneAugust 4,2022 at 1:03PM UTC

    You may certainly ask. But I would probably go along with the format the interviewer has chosen. I think eventually they are going to want to see you. The good news is that fear discomfort and anxiety tend to lessen if we face the situation. So prepare and practice do some breathing or meditation before you start and be ready to shine. Good luck.

17. AnonymousAugust 4,2022 at 1:06PM UTC

    You can ask if you want but please keep in mind that some companies now require video interviews so they can be sure that the person they interview is the same person who shows up to work the first day - there have been many scams in the era of remote work where they get a senior person to pose as the candidate and interview for the job with camera off, but the actual candidate who shows up to work doesn't actually have the skills in question. Also keep in mind that this may be a red flag against you, if your potential employer is given the impression that you aren't able to handle in person or camera-on meetings.

18. EMILY KIKUE FRANKAugust 4,2022 at 2:56PM UTC

    Many places require everyone to have the same format of interview so things are fair-- everyone does video or everyone does phone, for instance. Additionally, I think people will assume you are asking because you don't understand the technology. Finally, they simply want to see you, read your body language, etc. So you can ask for a phone interview instead but I think it will really hurt your chances. Better bet is to practice and get sufficiently comfortable on camera.

19. Kelleri RiegelAugust 4,2022 at 3:00PM UTC

    I was very self-conscious about being on video when we transitioned to remote work. I became weirdly obsessed with my appearance and easily distracted.

    I was given the advice of turning off the view of myself on camera. As soon as I logon to a video call I hide my self-view.

    It got a lot easier to be charming on video after that.

    Good luck in your search!

20. Jason LeeAugust 4,2022 at 4:26PM UTC

    Such a great idea. Not sure why that hadn't occurred to me before. Even in an in-person interview, you wouldn't be looking at yourself played back on a screen.

21. AnonymousAugust 9,2022 at 6:21PM UTC

    (OP here) I tried this for my last 3 interviews and I did SO much better! Thank you so much for the tip!

22. Kelleri RiegelAugust 11,2022 at 7:29PM UTC

    I am so glad it helped!

23. Chere EstrinAugust 5,2022 at 10:47AM UTC

    Yes, it's weird. You demonstrate a lack of confidence and at some point, you will have a face-to-face any way. Go take an acting class. Best way to overcome this fear.

24. AnonymousAugust 9,2022 at 6:18PM UTC

    Oof thank you for the brutal honesty lol the issue isn’t being face to face with a person it’s the interview process leaves me stuttering.
    If I had a job I could afford an acting class. Turns out I have to do an interview before I get said job.