A phone interview can be a crucial first step on your path to landing a job. However, determining what to expect in a phone interview and how to prepare ahead of time can be difficult. Learn to answer the phone, what questions to ask, and what not to say by using the strategies listed below.
A phone interview is intended to invite an in-person interview at the employer’s location. Because they are used to screen candidates, phone interviews are often referred to as “phone screens” by employers.
These interviews are typically less than 30 minutes long, but they can be as short as 10 minutes.
Four to six applicants who pass the phone screen will be selected to attend the next round of interviews.
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What Should You Expect from a Phone Interview?
Employers use phone interviews to screen out candidates so that they can focus on extending face-to-face interviews to a smaller group of the best-qualified applicants. A phone screen like this is typically conducted with only one interviewer, a hiring manager, a human resources representative, or a departmental designee, though more than one interviewer may participate.
Depending on who asks the questions, the interviewer’s style and format may differ. Some hiring managers or departmental interviewers may take a more relaxed approach to the question, viewing the call as an opportunity to get to know you and asking questions on the fly. On the other hand, HR directors and higher-level managers may structure the interview more formally and expect you to respond appropriately.
The phone interviewer will likely ask you about your professional background and resume highlights, as well as some standard interview questions. You should also expect the interviewer to ask you any questions or concerns you have about the position. In most cases, asking about salary for a traditional 9-to-5 job during a phone interview would be premature, especially if it’s your first conversation with the company. However, if you’re interviewing for a freelance position, it may be necessary for the interviewer to discuss your salary expectations right away.
How to Prepare Ahead of Time
It is not advisable to “fly blind” with your answers during a phone interview. You should prepare thoroughly for a phone interview in the same way you would for an in-person interview. Your preparation should include the following :
Examine the job description and become acquainted with it
The more you understand what the hiring manager is looking for in a candidate, the better prepared you will be to explain why you are the best candidate for the job. Don’t just skim the job description and assume you know what’s expected of you. Investigate the position’s precise criteria and determine how to address your expertise and context about what the search team means.
Conduct research on the company
You may be strongly qualified for the role in terms of your experience, but you must also be familiar with the organization to which you are applying. Conduct online research and search your professional network for contacts who have worked at the organization. Before your phone interview, you should get a sense of the company’s culture and values.
Reviewing common interview questions
Standard phone interview questions are similar to what you might be asked in a face-to-face interview. For example, the employer may request that you:
Tell us a little about yourself.
Explain why you believe the team should hire you.
Determine what aspects of the position pique your interest.
Tell us how your previous experience qualifies you for the job.
How to Handle a Phone Interview
Remember that the interviewer is marking your integrity and performance from when you pick up the phone to the moment you hang up. Make an effort to answer the phone as soon as possible. Instead of rushing around the house two minutes before the scheduled call time, be ready at your desk for the call to come in. Maintain a professional demeanour during the market, such as “Hello, (your name) speaking,” and use a professional greeting such as “Hello, (your name) speaking.”
What Questions should you ask your interviewer?
It is crucial to prepare a few questions to ask during a phone interview (usually at the end). Make a “cheat sheet” of two or three phone interview questions to ask the interviewer at the end of the call. There are some questions to ask during a phone interview:
What are the most significant challenges that I will face if hired for this position?
What does a typical day entail?
Whom will I be collaborating with the most closely on the team?
What do you like best about working there?
What Not to Say During a Phone Interview
Even if the interviewer seems to be taking the phone interview more casually, don’t go too far in that direction. The hiring manager can afford to be more relaxed because he or she is not being evaluated; nevertheless, keep in mind that you are. Don’t be unnecessarily chatty or personal; instead, be polite, helpful, and personable while avoiding over-familiarity. As an applicant, you must uphold your professionalism while establishing a personal relationship with the interviewer.
Other common phone interview blunders include answering the phone in a noisy environment and multitasking when taking part in the interview. And if the interviewers are unable to see you, they can hear you doing something other than answering their questions. From start to finish, you should devote all of your time and resources to the phone interview.
Phone interview questions and answers
To assist you in your preparation, here is a list of few phone interview questions:
1. Tell me a little bit about yourself/your past.
Recruiters and hiring managers would almost certainly begin a phone interview by inquiring about your history. It is a straightforward method for them to learn more about you. It would help if you used this opportunity to clarify your related background, what you’re doing now, and why that qualifies you. Although you can provide a few personal information to help the employer understand how you live a healthy life, you should concentrate on professional credentials and achievements.
2. Tell us about yourself.
This question is similar to “tell me about yourself,” but instead of emphasizing your experience and previous jobs, you will discuss the skills and attributes that make you a good match for the role. Employers are searching for your perceived qualities that are important to the position for which you are applying. How can you describe yourself?
3. Tell me about your knowledge of this job position
Employers may ask this question to get a sense of how much information they need to provide you with about the basics of the role you’re applying for. It can also reveal whether or not you took the time to carefully read the job description and do as much study as possible before applying.
4. Why are you looking for a job change?
Employers can ask this question during a phone interview to determine any red flags about your employment situation. If you are currently working but seeking new opportunities, only clarify why. It would help if you tailored your answer to your job rather than personal reasons or minor preferences such as working hours or commuting time. For example, you might be searching for new employment because there are few prospects for advancement or movement in your current position.
If you’ve been let go for some reason, justify in a constructive way why you and your boss thought it would be best for you to find a better match. It would help if you considered how you’d spent your time developing your skills and job styles.
5. What are you enthusiastic about?
Knowing what you are enthusiastic about or what motivates you can assist employers in determining whether you are a good fit for the job. If you are passionate about helping people and are interviewing for a relatively independent job with little interaction with others, the position might not be a right fit for you. To answer this question, consider the broad ways you are motivated both at work and outside of work. Consider how your interests could be a good fit for the job.
6. What’s your expected salary?
Recruiters will ask this question early in the hiring process, such as during a phone interview, to determine if the compensation you expect matches what they have budgeted for the job. It can also assist them in determining whether you are over-qualified or under-qualified for the job. To respond to this query, it is best to have a range to demonstrate that you are versatile while still expecting to receive a certain amount.
Make sure you’re happy with the lowest number in your range because the recruiter will almost certainly want to start with the lowest possible number. Negotiating your salary is a natural and appropriate part of the recruiting process that will occur after you have accepted an offer. For your phone interview, they will most likely inform you whether or not this job is appropriate for the salary range you have been offered.
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