How Long Do You Have To Wait For A Phone Interview?

We live in an interview-oriented society. It’s not just a part of our society – it’s an important part. Before you get a job (and even after), you will be interviewed by your boss, your employer, and potential employers. And that’s just in your professional life! Throughout your entire life, you’ll be interviewed for the things that you want to do or have done. Phone interviews are very common in the job search process. It is a way to get to know the candidate better, and for the candidate to learn more about the company. They should be done after an initial screening interview and before a final interview if you get the job. A phone interview is one of the most common types of interview out there. In this article, we will see about ‘How Long Do You Have To Wait For A Phone Interview?’.

How Long Do You Have To Wait For A Phone Interview?

Let’s read How Long Do You Have To Wait For A Phone Interview.

The waiting period

The waiting game is the most nerve-wracking part of the interview process. There are no hard and fast rules, but it is generally accepted that 24 hours is the maximum amount of time to wait for a scheduled phone interview. This is because jobs are often filled quickly, and the earlier you get in, the better your chances are of being hired.

Phone interview the new norm

The phone interview has become the norm in today’s recruiting process. More and more companies are using this type of interview to screen candidates and get a feel for how they will do in a real interview setting. Though it hasn’t completely taken over the face-to-face interview, it is becoming more and more popular each year. There are many reasons why this is happening, but the main reason is that companies can save money on travel costs by doing it this way. They also don’t have to worry about things like scheduling conflicts.

Some tips for handling phone interview

An interview over the phone may seem intimidating. But with a little preparation, it is no different than an in-person interview. Put on your interviewer hat and you will be fine.

Here are some tips –

• Do the Research – You should have already researched the company and people you’ll be interviewing with when preparing for an in-person interview, but now you have to do it all again to include those who are interviewing via telephone.
• Set Up A Good Environment- Assuming you are using your cell phone; try to find a quiet place with minimal background noise to conduct the call. 
• Prepare your answers- Be realistic about the questions you’ll be asked and how you’ll answer them. 
• Be on time- It’s important to not keep the interviewer waiting. If they are talking with others before you and they run out of time, they may have to cut your call short and that would be bad news for you.
• Keep it short and sweet- Phone interviews shouldn’t be longer than 10 to 20 minutes, so keep your answers concise and relevant.
• Ask questions- This is your opportunity to learn more about the company and job, so feel free to ask questions.

Why is the phone interview typically used?

The phone interviews are typically used for two purposes:

• Screening candidates to narrow down the pool of applicants who are worth a face-to-face interview
• Conducting a more in-depth interview with a qualified candidate.

On both these ends, the phone interview has to be done right. Handling a phone interview right is different from handling in-person interviews.

Phone Interview Etiquettes

Call the company and make sure it’s okay to call from your number. If you’re called by an inaccessible number, you will appear unprofessional. Know what time a company usually takes calls. There are times when companies will be busier than others and will not want to take your call at that moment. Alert the person that you’ll be calling beforehand so they know who’s on the other line. You may also want to leave your name with their secretary or receptionist.

Some common mistakes

A phone interview is a great opportunity for employers to see how an applicant thinks on the spot, their communication skills, and their ability to think quickly. But you may be sabotaging yourself in that very first call. 

Here are some of the most common mistakes people make when they’re doing a phone interview, and why they cost you that job!

• The most common mistake is talking too much. Remember that the person on the other end of the line can’t see you, so they won’t know when you’re taking a breath or when you want them to jump in and start talking. Be mindful of this when having a conversation.
• The second mistake people usually make is that they don’t check the time of the interview in their region.
• Another common mistake is that they forget to turn off notifications on their phones and don’t shut off their ringer. These things will make you nervous and there’s no way you can focus on the job offer. 
• Not having the right mindset during the interview. Always remember that you’re talking to a person over the phone, not an app or a computer.
• You need to thoroughly understand what the expectations of the manager are and what exactly he is looking for in a new hire.

Some Drawbacks of a phone interview

Phone interviews can be very effective for scheduling, but some drawbacks should be mentioned. 

• First and foremost, phone interviews are not the same as in-person interviews. You cannot see your candidate’s body language or their reaction to things you say. 
• If you like to ask questions where you wait for a reaction, this may be a problem. 
• One of the biggest drawbacks to phone interviews is their lack of structure. While this may not be a problem for some people, for others it can be intimidating and difficult to maintain focus.
• It’s also very easy to have distractions, as you will have other things going on in your business or personal life that could easily pull you away from the call.
• Additionally, if you want to observe your candidate during the interview, it may also be difficult on the phone. This is why most companies prefer video interviews.

Steps to take after you finish your phone interview

Phone interviews are a great way to get to know the candidate better, but they’re not a full substitute for in-person interviews. Whether you haven’t found the right person or you simply need a second opinion, here are three steps to take after you finish your phone interview:

1. Reach out to all your connections and ask for honest feedback.

2. Review the information you collected during the interview and base your decision on it.

3. Interview the candidate again in person for a final decision.

What’s the next step after a phone interview?

The next step after a phone interview is usually a face-to-face meeting. It might be an onsite meeting, or it might be a job offer. This stage is where you need to prepare yourself. You should never go into an interview without knowing the following: Who you’re going to meet, What they do, How they fit into the company, How they can benefit your career, What you’ll be asked, What you’ll say. This isn’t as hard as it sounds. You can send a thank-you note, and follow up with the interviewer. Prepare for the next interview by researching more about the company, industry, and job. Also, try to research salary information on sites to know what to expect as far as compensation goes.

Some companies that take phone interview

We all know that many companies conduct phone interviews with job candidates to avoid the cost of business travel or to cut down on time. There are so many companies that take phone interviews for a job opening. Here is a list of some of the companies that take phone interviews for the job opening.

• Uber
• UberEats
• DHL
• Alibaba
• Abercrombie & Fitch,
• American Heart Association
• Arby’s
• Bass Pro Shops
• Ben & Jerry’s
• BJ’s Wholesale Club
• Bob Evans Farms, Inc
• Bon-Ton Stores, Inc
• Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar
• Capella University

The Conclusion

Now we have learnt ‘How Long Do You Have To Wait For A Phone Interview?’, A phone interview is a great way to get an idea of how qualified you are for the position. This can help determine if you are worth an in-person meeting. They should be used as a screening tool, and not a determining factor. If you have been asked to do one, it’s important that you feel comfortable having this conversation over the phone. The waiting period between the phone interview and in-person interview varies based on each company. It is important to be flexible, but not too eager that you burn yourself out. The max you can wait is around a period of a day. It is a good idea to wait before calling back if you do not receive a response from the recruiter. In most cases, recruiters are busy and may forget to respond right away.