Mar. 2--Chatting over the phone may be easy, but when it comes to applying for a job it is the last way most people want to be interviewed. About four out of ten organisations use phone interviews, but only 23 per cent of job candidates believe that they can sell themselves on the phone better than face to face.

Most want a one-on-one meeting and say visual first impressions are important and longer-lasting. Eye contact was also cited as vital to building rapport, according to research by financial recruitment firm Sharp Consultancy.

Those who prefer the phone say they feel more comfortable if they are at home, without the distractions of worrying about dress codes or finding the office.

Mark Wilson, Sharp's managing director, says: "There are situations where an initial phone interview is appropriate, but candidates should follow this up if possible with a face-to-face meeting with a potential employer."

When marketing executive Lauren-Ball applied for her first graduate job she was told to expect initial interviews by phone.

Lauren, 23, from Leeds, says: "It allows firms to sift through large numbers of applicants early on, but the role also required good communication skills, so my phone manner was important."

She admits that she was daunted, but her interviewer, now her boss, put her at ease without being too informal. "It made the face-to-face interview that followed much easier as I felt I'd started to build a good rapport," says Lauren.

However, a good candidate with the requisite skills and experience, but not the most confident phone manner, could find themselves at a disadvantage. Linda Whittern, director of Leicester-based career advisory firm Careers Partnership, believes that applicants can take steps to help themselves.

"It's all about good preparation, which should be as thorough for a phone interview as it is for a faceto-face meeting," she says.

"Think about the job from the employer's perspective so you know what they are likely to ask. Make sure you have information about the organisation to hand."

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Last updated: 04/03/2008 - 08:46 AM