How Long Is The Phone Interview Introduction

phone interview questions best answers

If you lot accept a phone interview coming upward, there are some questions you are very likely to be asked… and practicing them tin immediately help y'all feel confident and exist gear up to "wow" the interviewer and so y'all can movement on to the next stage!

I'g going to walk you through the most common telephone interview questions and best answers, so you can get hired faster.

Let's become started…

Phone Interview Questions and Answers

i. Tell me about yourself

The primal here is to be concise. The all-time answers to this interview question will exist 90 seconds or less.

You want to answer in chronological guild – starting time with how you lot got into your electric current line of work or career path. And then talk virtually cardinal accomplishments you've had along the mode, key career moves you lot've fabricated and why. Also include whatever promotions you've received.

Try to mention at least one thing that will make you memorable and stand out (for example, "In my last job, my team worked with Tesla to help design their latest battery monitoring technology).

And then end your story with your current situation. Depict what you lot're looking for now in your task search, and why.

Run into below for a total sample response, or read our full article on how to respond "tell me about yourself".

Example response:

"I graduated five years ago with a caste in Chemistry. I took a job with Pfizer and was promoted later three years to lead projects in their cancer enquiry division. I've been in this Project Director role for ii years now and even won an award for outstanding leadership this past yr. Everything's going great, but I'd like to take my career to the next level by finding opportunities to lead larger teams. I saw on your task description that you mention this is an opportunity to atomic number 82 teams of 8-10 people, then I was eager to learn more."

two. Why are you job searching right now?

If you lot're unemployed, be direct and say so. BUT – have a good reason for why yous desire this detail job as well. This is super important. Employers want to feel like you want their job, not but whatever task. I tin can't stress this enough.

If you're currently employed but chore searching to notice something improve, keep it positive. Focus on what you want to gain in a move. "I'd love to find an opportunity that will give me a bigger chance to lead and manage projects", etc.

Don't badmouth your current chore or employer, and don't talk near the bad things you're looking to escape or get away from. Just go along it positive and focus on what yous'd love to gain by changing jobs.

Sample answer if you're unemployed:

"I was laid off four months ago so I'm in an agile job search. I'm hoping to detect a position that will permit me continue to build my skills as a customer service supervisor. I'thousand particularly looking to stay in the software industry, which is one reason this job excited me."

Sample if you're currently employed while task searching:

"I've learned a lot in my electric current job and enjoyed it, however, I've been in this position for iv years and experience that to take my skills to the next level, I should expose myself to a new work surround to continue challenging myself. I saw your chore description mentions ___, which is one of the key things I hope to continue doing in my next role, then this seemed similar a great job to utilise for and accept an interview to discuss. "

iii. How did you hear well-nigh this position?

The best responses to this question will be straight-forward and articulate. For example, these are all good answers for how you heard most the task:

You establish them researching online
You were familiar with them before you started task searching
You institute them in a press release or news article
A colleague told you about them
A recruiter contacted yous about them
Etc.

Nosotros've too put a few word-for-word answer examples below, or yous tin read our complete guide to answering "how did you find out nearly this position?"

Instance answer:

"A colleague recommended your organization to me. I went on your website to larn more and saw this position listed. It seemed like a dandy fit and a move that could help advance my career, and so I was eager to learn more and have an interview."

Or:

"A recruiter contacted me concluding week and the position sounded like a great fit for my skills and experience, so I became interested."

4. What do you know about our company?

With this question, you lot desire to show off your knowledge and demonstrate that y'all did research before applying for the job.

Employers don't desire to hire someone who'due south just applying to every job, and non taking the time to acquire anything well-nigh the company. They desire someone who applied for a reason and wants to work at THEIR visitor.

For help with company research, we have a full commodity on how to enquiry a company earlier your interview.

And for assistance with your interview answer later on you've researched the employer, you tin see the example response below or read our full article on how to answer, "what practice you lot know about our company?"

Case answer:

"I know you lot're one of the height alert system manufacturers in the U.s.. I did some reading on your website and discovered that you create alarms for businesses and office buildings, not just individual homes. I too did some reading on your corporate culture and it sounds like you exercise a lot to support the development of your employees, and get involved in community service likewise. That's something I care a lot virtually and something that attracts me to an employer."

5. Why practice you lot want this chore?

With this question, the employer wants to come across that you take a real reason for wanting their particular chore (rather than just needing whatever task y'all can get). This is important to them and yous volition not get hired if you can't evidence them why you want this specific job.

And so your reply to this phone interview question should contain ii key pieces:

What y'all're looking for in your job search overall
Something you noticed about their job that excites y'all or is a lucifer for what you want

At present permit's look at a full example for answering "why did you apply for this particular position?"

Sample reply:

"One of the key things I'1000 targeting in my job search right now is an opportunity to work more than directly with customers and clients. I actually savour that aspect of my work, but my last job took me a bit away from that. I saw on your job clarification that fifty% of this job is interacting with clients, either on the phone or in-person, and that excited me."

half-dozen. What other jobs take yous been interviewing for?

Here's why employers ask this: They want to make sure their job fits the general theme of what you're looking for.

Your reply is merely going to worry them or raise a "red flag" if all the other jobs you're applying for are WAY dissimilar than this chore.

And then to requite a great answer here, prove the employer that their job fits the overall theme of other jobs you're looking at.

And if they do ask for company names, yous can pass up past saying, "I'd like to keep the names of the other companies confidential. I'd do the aforementioned for your company if another interviewer asked me."

See examples below or read our guide to answers for "what other companies are you interviewing with?"

Sample answer:

"I've been applying and interviewing at small and mid-sized banks and fiscal firms similar yours. I spent the first 4 years of my career with Banking concern of America, so I'm hoping to experience a smaller piece of work environment now to round-out my skill prepare. I'd like to keep the names of the other companies confidential, though. I'd do the same for your company if another employer were to enquire me."

vii. How is your chore search going so far?

Employers inquire this in a telephone interview to get a sense of how things are going for you overall, how much other companies are interested, and fifty-fifty how soon you might have job offers (if they like you, they don't want to movement too slowly and lose the adventure to offer you the task).

The one affair you lot don't want to do with your answer is sound similar yous're completely struggling to find a job.

If you aren't getting many interviews or if you lot simply started taking phone interviews, you can ever say: "I'm merely commencement to accept interviews, only information technology's going well so far."

If you lot have had a few interviews just they didn't go well, yous can say that yous haven't found the right fit yet. So for example, yous might say, "I've had a couple of telephone interviews then far but haven't constitute a swell fit yet."

Sample answer:

"Things are going well then far. I'm just kickoff to take phone interviews, and I'grand still very early in my task search. I expect to take some contiguous interviews before long."

viii. Tell me well-nigh your nearly recent job. What were you responsible for each day?

With this interview question, be ready to answer with specific accomplishments and details of what you did.

What did you larn? Which specific tools and technologies did you work with? What results did you help your company or group accomplish?

Endeavour to prepare specific details to talk about before your interview. Y'all ideally want to be able to share results you achieved and how you lot helped your company make coin, save money, save time, etc.

Also, you desire your examples to be relevant to THEIR needs. So gear up past studying the task description, and and so mention things that will exist relevant for this particular job!

Example phone interview respond:

"One of the biggest areas I was responsible for in my last chore was to ensure our website had every bit close to 100% upward-time every bit possible. I achieved the all-time result in our visitor's 29-yr history last year by making some key changes and optimizations immediately after existence hired. I saw on your task description that you seem to be looking for someone who can do similar work for y'all. Your company is in a like phase to my concluding employer when they hired me – in terms of size and growth. So it's something I could help with immediately in this office."

ix. What are your salary expectations?

Practise NOT requite a number here. If you say a number that's too high, you'll scare them off. If you go too low, you'll injure your negotiating power later. It's a no-win situation for y'all.

They're non even sure they want to hire you lot or continue interviewing you yet, so y'all have no leverage. They're just gathering info that will help them.

The best strategy for this interview question is to tell them you lot don't have a number in listen however. That manner, they can't push button you or pressure you with multiple questions.

Here'south how to respond this question in a telephone interview:

"I don't take a specific number in mind. Right now I'm focused on finding the position that'south the all-time fit for my skills and my career. Once I've done that, I'yard willing to consider any offering you feel is fair."

If they push back, only repeat, "I really don't take a number in mind however".

If you want more than help, here'south a full article on how to answer salary expectations questions.

10. When are yous available to start?

If they ask this late in a face-to-face interview, it'due south a sign your interview went well. However, if you're hearing information technology in a telephone interview, they're usually just trying to get a sense of your availability and current task hunt situation.

And so… If you're currently employed, tell them you'd demand to give a two week notice to your electric current employer (or any is standard in your company).

Example:

"I'd need to requite my electric current employer a two-week discover, and then I was hoping to accept one calendar week off before starting. Then I could exist available to start three weeks later a job offering is accepted."

If you're unemployed, you can all the same tell them you'd like ane or two weeks before starting, but information technology'southward up to you. See the case script below for how you can do this:

"I could brainstorm one week later accepting a chore offering. I do have a vacation scheduled in late May, so I would just demand to take a week off during that time, just I could start before so."

Also, if yous're applying for jobs in a different city or state, y'all might be asked how shortly y'all can relocate, whether you'll crave relocation assistance and more. And so exist ready for that type of question likewise!

11. What questions do you have for me?

E'er have questions to enquire the interviewer. It tin can make the difference between getting hired and non getting a callback subsequently the phone interview. (Considering it shows involvement in the position, and information technology shows that you're being selective and conscientious in your job search and that yous're non desperate).

You lot can inquire about the job duties, goals, the squad, the company overall, the training you'll receive, how your performance will exist measured, and questions about the actual interview process (like "when can I wait to hear feedback?")

If you lot're having an interview with a recruiter, here are some good questions to enquire them.

12. What type of work surroundings do you adopt?

Employers want to make sure that your personality is a fit for their piece of work surroundings. This is unlike than determining if your skills are a fit for their job.

So after some of the competency-based questions in the interview, they'll probable ask nigh how you adopt to work, types of companies/environments you've enjoyed in the by, etc.

To answer, y'all can either describe an environment that you lot feel is similar to theirs, or demonstrate that you tin work well in a variety of environments.

For more aid with this, read our guide to answering "what type of work environment do you lot prefer?"

13. Why will you succeed in this position?

Some interviewers will come up out and direct ask why y'all think you'll exist a success in their job. Don't be timid when answering – this is your chance to show conviction and explain exactly how you can help them, and how your experience volition be helpful to you in their job.

Hither'south more info on answering "Why do you think y'all would do well in this chore?"

xiv. What motivates you?

Motivation is a concern every employer has, no matter how talented/qualified yous are. If you're non coming to work motivated, your work will suffer. So they're likely to ask one or two phone interview questions to find out what drives you lot, what interests you, etc.

And one of the about common of these questions is, "what motivates you to come up to work each 24-hour interval?"

You lot should be able to name something other than money if yous want to impress the interviewer with this question. Do some thinking ahead of time and come with the reason y'all plan on giving.

xv. How would you describe yourself?

Finally, the interviewer may enquire an open-ended question like "how would you depict yourself?" equally they're getting to know you.

Keep your answer professional hither and only talk near your personality and attributes as an employee. And try to give an example if you can.

Sample answer:

"I'd describe myself as detail-oriented and team-oriented. For example, in my electric current job, I'grand responsible for managing multiple projects and I often coordinate with 10-xv people across unlike departments each day. I'm also responsible for reporting project milestones to our clients, so I have to stay extremely organized and on superlative of things."

16. Walk me through your resume

Many interviewers will enquire, "Walk me through your resume" equally i of the starting time few telephone interview questions considering information technology breaks the ice, gives you lot a relatively easy question, and gives them a chance to learn more virtually your background.

Also, some interviewers volition enter the phone screen without having reviewed your resume at all (unfortunate, simply true). Then this is your chance to highlight key career accomplishments and take the interviewer briefly through your resume and career story.

Proceed your respond to one or 2 minutes. It's of import to stay concise and focused with open-ended questions like this.

And keep the employer's task requirements in mind when answering. Y'all shouldn't but share everything you've done; you should spend more than fourth dimension highlighting central jobs and experiences that will be about relevant to your side by side employer'due south needs.

For example, if you've worked for viii years total, just the past four in the same industry equally this employer, spend about all of your time discussing your experience over the by four years in their manufacture.

Sample answer:

"I graduated eight years agone with a B.South. in mechanical engineering and took a job for a local oil & gas company subsequently that. However, I had ever wanted to piece of work in manufacturing, so I made the movement to this industry iv years ago. Since then, I've been promoted to Senior Manufacturing Engineer and accept managed projects with up to 10 team members reporting to me. In my next role, I'grand looking to step upwards to Technology Managing director, and so I felt this position with your firm was an opportunity worth discussing."

17. Tell me about a time you went above and beyond what was expected of yous

This is another of the well-nigh normally-asked phone interview questions. You'll hear this frequently in client service telephone interviews but too in other industries.

To gear up for this question, think dorsum to your two about recent jobs (recent examples and experiences are seen every bit more than relevant) and come up with a scenario where yous were presented with a job that was outside of your typical work duties.

When you talk near a time you went above and beyond at work, always highlight a story with a positive event like a happy customer, a problem solved for your company, etc.

And just similar with the previous question, keep your answer length to one or ii minutes and tell a clear story from start to cease.

Think almost the job you're interviewing for, as well, and choice an example that they'll discover relevant. In any phone interview, you should focus on demonstrating that your groundwork volition allow you lot to pace into this employer's job and be successful with whatever they need.

Information technology's not just about showing hiring managers that yous're skilled or hard-working; yous need to show them you're a good fit for their verbal role.

Sample respond:

"In my final job, a customer bought a estimator from our store simply earlier nosotros closed and when he arrived dwelling, it wasn't turning on. He wanted a replacement because he needed to use the estimator that night. I had closed the store already but was still in the building when he called. I told the customer that if he was able to come back, I could wait for him fifty-fifty though we had closed. He agreed and I waited for him to arrive, at which place I exchanged his product for a new unit of measurement. He ended upwards leaving united states a 5-star review the next morning and he has too returned multiple times and become one of our best long-term customers."

Steps After Your Telephone Interview

Along with practicing the telephone interview questions above, you should as well accept a plan for how to impress the employer subsequently the interview. Here are the two most important things to do after every interview:

First, always end your interview by request when yous can expect to hear about the next steps. That way, you can follow-up by electronic mail to ask for feedback if that time has passed (and you'll have less feet while waiting after the phone interview).

And secondly, send a thank-you letter or e-mail within 24 hours of the interview to reaffirm your interest in the position and show the employer yous appreciate their time on the phone.

This volition assistance you make a stiff impression and keep yourself on top of the hiring manager'south mind equally they're making their decision!