Question:  What’s the best way to determine if a candidate can handle a telesales position?

Answer:  Conduct a telephone interview.

A short, targeted initial telephone screening will provide you with insights into the tele talents of the candidate. 

Teletip:  Break the interview into two segments:  a short, introductory segment and a second, more involved series of interview questions.  This enables you and your managers to end an interview gracefully if the candidate is not a fit and/or does not project a professional teleselling image.