Phone vs. In-Person and Video Interviews: Pros and Cons
Phone Interviews vs. In-Person and Video Interviews: Pros, Cons, and How They Affect Hiring
We’ve all faced the jitters and anticipation of preparing for that all-important interview at some point in our working lives. However, as our working styles shift and new technology becomes the norm, there’s a whole new world of interviews that you might encounter during your job search.
Whereas traditionally, a successful job application would lead to an in-person interview, many businesses are now turning to more efficient phone or video interviews for those early-stage conversations.
So how do these modern interview methods compare to in-person interviews, and how can they create a more inclusive recruitment process? Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of each type, and what you can expect from an in-person, video, or phone interview.
In-person Interviews
In-person interviews are the more traditional format of meeting candidates. In this scenario, you’ll likely be invited to attend an interview with one or more members of the hiring team. This could be the person you’d be working for, a representative of HR, and even some key players within the organization you’d be working with.
Depending on the complexity of the role, the interview process can be held in several stages. Your first interview might just involve one or two key members of the organization, such as the hiring manager. They’ll want to get a feel for your experience and competency, along with an idea of whether you’d be a good fit for the organization. If your first interview is a success, you might be invited back to meet other members of the team and go into more detail about the role and responsibilities.
Some businesses opt to conduct first-stage interviews via phone or video to more efficiently screen candidates. Successful applicants are then invited for an in-person meeting.
Free to use image sourced from Pexels. The above picture shows two women dressed professionally sitting across a table speaking to one another. One of the women is in a wheelchair.
Pros and Cons of In-person Interviews
In-person interviews can be both empowering and daunting. They allow interviewers to see beyond your resume and give you the opportunity to showcase your charisma and personality.
However, on the other hand, they can be stressful and time-consuming. They often involve the hassle of traveling to and from the interview, which can mean taking time off work if you’re already employed. In-person interviews can also present some practical challenges for disabled job-seekers, potentially making you feel like you’re already starting at a disadvantage.
What are the pros of in-person interviews?
Building Personal Connections
Perhaps one of the biggest advantages of face-to-face interviews is the opportunity to build a more personal connection with your interviewer. Forming a relationship with your interviewer is usually easier when you meet in person.
There’s often more opportunity for those initial ‘getting to know you’ conversations and to really let your personality shine through. An in-person meeting gives you the chance to interact with the interviewer in person and flex your communication skills, which could help you secure the job.
Visual Communication
Another advantage of in-person interviews is that reading non-verbal cues and body language in a face-to-face setting is often easier. You can see your interviewer's facial expressions and reactions to your answers, which can help you to respond accordingly. For example, if your interviewer looks confused by something you have said, you can elaborate and explain in more detail.
Opportunity to Assess the Workspace
If you’re applying for an office-based role, in-person interviews also give you the opportunity to check out your future working environment and the general vibe of the office. Remember, an interview isn’t just for the employer to evaluate you; it’s also as much about you deciding whether this is somewhere you want to work.
Free to use image sourced from Pexels. The above picture shows a woman dressed professionally sitting in a wheelchair in a building hallway.
What are the cons of in-person interviews?
Time and Travel Constraints
In-person interviews can be time-consuming and potentially costly to attend. If you’re already employed, you might have to take time off work to go to your interview. Additionally, if you’re applying for a home-based or hybrid role, you could have the extra burden of needing to travel a long distance to attend the interview in person.
Physical Barriers
Physical barriers can create issues for disabled job seekers. The interview may be held in a location that is challenging for you to travel to or difficult to access easily.
Interview pressure
Interviews can be daunting, especially if you’re in front of multiple interviewers. The pressure of a formal setting and unfamiliar surroundings can make some people more nervous and affect their interview performance.
Phone Interviews
Phone interviews are becoming increasingly popular as an efficient and time-saving way of meeting candidates.
In this scenario, the interviewer will chat with you beforehand to arrange a time for the interview. When it’s time, they will either call you or provide you with a phone number to contact them.
Some businesses might even utilize call center systems technology, giving you the freedom to pick a time that suits you from available slots. This eliminates the hassle of going back and forth with the interviewer; you just choose a time that fits your schedule.
Pros and Cons of Phone Interviews
Phone interviews can be more convenient for job-seekers, as you can conduct the interview from wherever you are without needing to take time out of your day to travel to and from the interview.
You also won’t have the added worry about your appearance or the stresses of potential travel disruption affecting you getting there on time. You simply need to collect your thoughts and pick up the phone.
On the other hand, there are downsides to phone interviews. It can be harder to build that personal rapport and express your personality and enthusiasm for the role when you’re relying on just your voice. Plus, some people find the absence of visual cues a challenge when communicating with the interviewer.
Free to use image sourced from Pexels. The above picture shows a woman sitting on her couch with her laptop open and looking at her phone.
What are the pros of phone interviews?
Convenience
Phone interviews are convenient and efficient. You only need to commit to an hour or so out of your day to attend the interview, and you can do it from the comfort of your own home.
Accessibility
Interviews conducted over the phone can help break down some of the barriers for disabled job seekers. You don’t need to worry about traveling to and from the interview, and you won’t encounter the possible physical barriers of navigating an unfamiliar office space.
Comfort
You might feel more comfortable conducting an interview in a familiar environment. Without the pressure and formality of attending an in-person interview, some people find it easier to concentrate and perform at their best. You have the flexibility to do the interview in a quiet and calm space where you feel most focused.
What are the cons of phone interviews?
Less personal
Building a personal connection with your interviewer over the phone can be more tricky. As you’re relying on just your voice, you might find it harder to convey your personality or read non-verbal cues to help keep the conversation flowing.
Trickier to navigate
Phone interviews can also be more structured in their format and leave fewer opportunities for spontaneous conversation. This can make it more tricky to navigate the conversation and might leave you feeling more hesitant to ask impromptu questions about the role such as “how does payroll work” or “what are the options for flexible working”.
Risk of distractions
Without the formal setting and privacy of an in-person interview, you could find yourself interrupted by distractions during the interview. The last thing you want is an unexpected knock on the door or a family member walking in right in the middle of your interview.
To set yourself up for success, have a quiet space where you won’t be interrupted. If you’re taking the interview on a mobile phone, ensure you have plenty of battery and a good phone signal before you start the interview.
It’s also a good idea to take note of the number they’ve provided; many companies have a phone line for business affairs and will use it to contact you. You don't want to accidentally screen the call thinking it’s spam.
Free to use image sourced from Pexels. The above picture shows a man sitting on the floor in front of his couch with his laptop opened while a little girl is sitting on the couch playing a toy guitar.
What about Video Interviews?
Video interviews can offer the best of both worlds for job seekers. You can connect with your interviewers face to face over a video call, but you avoid the hassle of traveling and having to navigate an unfamiliar space. Instead, you can relax and attend your interview in the comfort of your home and with any assistive technology or support tools you need.
However, video interviews do come with their own set of challenges. Communicating through a video call can lack the warmth and interaction of meeting in person, making it harder to form a personal connection. Plus, some people can find it a bit awkward interacting over a screen, making it trickier to pick up on subtle body language and nonverbal cues.
Technical glitches like an unstable or slow internet connection can vary from being an annoyance to hindering your chances of landing the job. So, if you’re scheduling a video interview, test all your tech ahead of time to ensure it runs smoothly.
Free to use image sourced from Pexels
Navigating Interview Styles
Interviews are never easy. No matter how perfect you are for the role, it’s completely normal to feel that twinge of self-doubt or be struck with nerves beforehand. However, choosing an interview style that suits you can make you feel more at ease, confident, and able to portray yourself at your best.
Whether it’s the logistics of traveling to an interview or fitting it into your schedule, phone and video interviews are a modern method that helps to make the job market more accessible, especially for job-seekers with disabilities.
Just remember, whatever the style of the interview, as long as you prepare well and believe in your skills, you’ll be well-equipped to tackle any format that comes your way.