Question

Explain the purpose of a job interview. Differentiate face-to-face interview versus phone interview. What are the benefits of a job interview for the employer and for the applicant?

Answer 1

A job interview can be defined as an interview that takes places on an one to one basis where the interviewer assesses how fit the applicant is for the job.

The purpose of the job interview goes two ways as follows :

• It helps assess the candidates' capabilities and match for the job/position he/she is applying for.
• The applicant gains an insight about what the company is looking for and if it matches with the kind of company he/she wants to work with.

Face to face interview occurs in person while phone interviews occur on the phone via voice call. Face to face interviews gives the interviewer the opportunity to asses the confidence level and people skills of the applicant in real life. This can also be observed by the non verbal gestures and body language of the applicant. This isn't possible through phone interviews. Thus a person has the capacity to fake people skills. Also face interview helps to gauge the work environment for the applicant. This isn't possible on phone interviews.

The employer has the benefit of getting an insight into the personality, skills and accomplishments of the future applicant through the interview. Also it helps the applicant to get to know his/her strengths and weaknesses and if the work environment is apt for the applicant.