Do you like phone interviews or video interviews?

26 Comments

1. Cynthia Armistead NewmanJune 30,2022 at 12:41PM UTC

   I greatly prefer phone interviews/pre-screens. There's a lot of discrimination based on appearance otherwise.

2. Tomilyn RichardsJune 30,2022 at 3:06PM UTC

   I am sorry you feel that way about discrimination... that is a big training issue that needs to be addressed more widely. I wish this day and age, it didn't exist... but it sure does. I actually feel like I get to know someone better via video vs phone but I do know that not everyone's comfort level is the same!! =)

3. Cynthia Armistead NewmanJune 30,2022 at 8:17PM UTC

   I actually know of a couple of companies that have gone to doing the first few rounds of interviews via Slack so as to avoid discrimination based on appearance or accent. I admire them.

4. Paulla Fetzek, MSEdJune 30,2022 at 1:00PM UTC

   Hi Tomilyn!

   Both have their pros and cons. When I interviewed for the job I have now, I had both an in-person and a phone interview. I liked each for different reasons.

   The phone interview was more relaxed. I wasn't dressed up, nor did I face the visual scrutiny of the interviewer.

   The in person interview was intense. But, I was also able to visually discern how my responses were received.

5. SJune 30,2022 at 1:17PM UTC

   The past year, I have done both and I prefer video. I find it more personable. BUT I do prefer in person vs phone and video. In person interviews I have had this past year are more relaxed.

6. Melissa NobileJune 30,2022 at 1:19PM UTC

   My husband’s company phone screens for the first round. They zoom for subsequent interviews because everyone in the department is dispersed in different office locations and they like to do panel interviews.

7. Joshua CorderoJune 30,2022 at 2:35PM UTC

   I prefer video interviews. Having said that, I always offer a phone interview as an option when I'm conducting the interview since so many people are dealing with 'zoom burnout'.

8. Lesa Edwards, Career Coach & Master Resume WriterJune 30,2022 at 7:25PM UTC

   I think your question should be, which tool helps me/us best evaluate candidates? The candidates may prefer one over the other, but what meets your company's needs best?

9. Tomilyn RichardsJuly 1,2022 at 11:54AM UTC

   Great response. I think we as a company have to adapt and adjust in many ways with the way of work changing so much. We have tons of employees even internally that do not like being on camera, but me... mine is on all day and we actually use Teams instead of phones more now to call each other. I think that the interview process is something that we need to constantly be reviewing and adjusting to meet the needs of both sides!! =)

10. AnonymousJune 30,2022 at 9:28PM UTC

    Although being an introvert, I like the virtual interviews, because while I am talking, I like to observe the verbal and non verbal cues to guage the personalities and attitudes of the panel. There are somethings you cannot pick up unless you see the person's body language to see how they perceive you. Like if they looked bored or distant throughout my interview or irritated by my voice. Those are all important cues and suttle body adjustments can clue me in quickly to whether I might want to work with someone or not.

11. AnonymousJune 30,2022 at 10:30PM UTC

    I'm with you on this one.

    I did my first virtual interview with two people after a phone interview. As soon as the camera came on, the person I did the phone interview with, had a surprised expression. This made it uncomfortable. While the other person spoke, the first one kept staring at me. It was hard not to notice. Maybe this person had a different expectation of my appearance? I don't know, but I'm glad the interview process didn't continue. And yes, I interview appropriate dressed including dress shoes.

12. AnonymousJuly 1,2022 at 12:05PM UTC

    Wow. Yes, I want to know if my future boss is an ignorant POS before I sign up to their camp.

13. Tomilyn RichardsJuly 1,2022 at 11:52AM UTC

    Very much love this too... I also like candidates to feel my energy and that I am really excited to be speaking with them. Interviewing is hard work and I like to make sure that the experience is a great one and doesn't feel like formality.

14. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJune 30,2022 at 11:02PM UTC

    Phone.
    As a recruiter and a candidate. I hate being on camera.

15. Gladys Williams BlancheJuly 1,2022 at 3:28AM UTC

    like video interview it brings up the best in you

16. AnonymousJuly 1,2022 at 10:12AM UTC

    In person if possible.
    If not, I prefer phone over video.

17. AnonymousJuly 1,2022 at 10:18AM UTC

    For pre-screens, I'd say I prefer phone because they're meant to be less than 20 mins calls to see if you're a fit for an interview. It also saves the candidate/recruiter time because if things aren't a fit, then there was minimal loss on both sides. Video calls are a bit more of production so I'd only use those when there's a REAL invested interest in a candidate. Zoom/Team fatigue is real for candidates, interview team and recruiters, so I would love for more places to be a bit more mindful in scheduling those type of calls. Or, at the very least, still give candidates the option to choose their preference (depends on the job, too). However, I believe that all final interviews (depending if there are rounds/depends on job too) should at some point be either in-person or video. A challenge with video calls is that it opens more doors for technical challenges, delays etc. so patience is needed for those to work out smoothly. I do like video calls for the interview portion because it nice to see the type of personalities you could work for or with. Body language/facial expressions are great silent but powerful intel. I also love video too for those who may have hearing impairments or other accessibility needs as video can sometimes help alleviate those communication barriers.

18. Tomilyn RichardsJuly 1,2022 at 11:50AM UTC

    Thank you so much for this thoughtful answer. I definitely always give the option to call in... especially since I never know if someone is stepping out to their car for a call, etc. You are very right on the technical difficulties... if Teams could work the same way two days in a row it would be a miracle. =)

19. AnonymousJuly 1,2022 at 12:49PM UTC

    A phone interview is my preference. Phone interviews are easier, and I would rather someone focus on my skillset rather than my appearance.

20. AnonymousJuly 1,2022 at 4:22PM UTC

    I like phone interviews for pre-screening, however some of my best interviews have been by phone. I do like video interviews because I think I connect well when I can see the other person face to face. I like to look them in the eye.

    I haven't had an in-person interview in years!

21. Vinaya NaikJuly 1,2022 at 5:57PM UTC

    1st round phone

22. AnonymousJuly 1,2022 at 6:13PM UTC

    I just wanted to mention that I had a video interview this week with someone who obviously just didn't want to be there. I have no idea why he was interviewing me - he was a Senior VP in sales and marketing and I was interviewing for a technical role. In fact, he said he didn't know what he was doing on my schedule. He played with his hair, cleaned his ears (really!), and never looked at the camera. I wasn't in control as the candidate, but I felt embarrassed to see anyone act that way.

23. Patricia ManroeJuly 2,2022 at 11:33AM UTC

    I prefer Zoom, Teams, or Skype. They are much more personal than a phone call. You can actually see them, their body movements, interactions, etc.

24. Audrey KirschJuly 9,2022 at 4:08PM UTC

    For an initial interview, I prefer the phone. I can better express myself without having to worry about the way I look. For a follow up, maybe meet the team, I prefer in-person or if that's not possible, video.

25. Sabrina CortesJuly 12,2022 at 2:31PM UTC

    I prefer the phone to a video mainly because my internet connection is spotty for some reason when it comes to videos. Plus with phones, I don't have to be self-conscious about my body language and how it's perceived. However, having a video interview puts a name to the face, which is nice.

26. AnonymousJuly 23,2022 at 6:19PM UTC

    I just did one of those recorded interviews where you read the question and answer it. I was sure it would be awkward, but I actually prefer this to human interaction.

    [Better still would be if they email me the question and they give me two minutes to type a response].

    At least there is on one on the other side reveling in my total humiliation. Not sure who would score me better, an algorithm or a human.

    Plus, the robot interview gives you the questions ahead of time so you have a few minutes to decide which story to use for which question. And you can get the whole thing done in ten minutes and get on with your life rather than ruminating on it the whole day like you would when you see people making faces on the other end like you totally blew it.