Telephone interviews have become one of the most popular ways to conduct a one on one meeting when geography presents a challenge. Essentially, a telephone interview is simply a situation in which a telephone call is used to create the foundation for an interactive meeting in which one party is conducting an interview with a second party. There are a few applications that are normally associated with a telephone interview that make this form on interaction both time and cost efficient.

The use of a telephone interview has become extremely popular when it comes to interviewing potential employees. In some instances, this type of telephone interview is used as a screening method. Persons who express interest in a particular position with a company have a chance to speak with a representative of the corporation and answer some basic questions. Since location is not an issue with a telephone interview, it is possible for persons who live in remote areas to apply for work, and have the chance to make a good impression. If the responses meet with approval, then arrangements can be made for the individual to travel to a designated location for a face to face meeting with the employer.

With so many companies employing the services of remote employees, the telephone interview is often the ideal medium for a job interview. This makes it possible for persons who are well versed in customer care, indirect sales, and other work that can primarily be conducted over the telephone to apply for work with just about any company that sees value in telecommuting. From this perspective, interviews over the telephone are not only convenient, they also provide the employer with a first hand experience of the phone presence of the individual.

Along with job interviews, the telephone interview can also be helpful for persons involved with print media. Writers who need to speak with an expert regarding material or facts related to a project find that that many busy people are willing to carve out time for ten-minute phone call and answer a few questions. The use of a telephone interview allows the write to get information quickly, and without taking up a lot of the expert’s time. The result is two happy professionals who can use the extra time to get on with other tasks.

For many decades, radio personalities have relied on telephone interviews with celebrities such as music stars and other public figures. The idea is to set up a telephone interview that can be broadcast live or recorded for playback later. The celebrity does not have to come to the radio station, and in fact does not have to be in the same city. Musical performers often employ this strategy as a way of promoting an upcoming performance in a given city. In other instances, the radio announcer may use a telephone interview to discuss matters of local political interest with elected officials. There is also the ability to interview authors of books that have interest to the listening audience, and as a means of allowing a the director of a local, state, or national charity to answer questions about an upcoming fundraising project of drive.