8 Phone interview tips (with top questions and answers)

The thought of a phone interview conjures up images of sweaty palms and a racing heart.

I agree; when most people hear about a phone interview, that makes them nervous.

So sad.

As soon as they hear about the word the phone interview, they start thinking:

What is a phone interview?
How to start a phone interview?
How do I answer the phone interview?
Where do I get top phone interview tips and proper guidelines?
Where will I get phone interview questions and answers?

Many more questions are popping into their mind like these.

But don't worry. This writing will answer all of those questions.

I expect Just your patience for reading this blog post, nothing else.

I guarantee top-level telephone interview tips, proper guidelines, and top telephone interview questions and answers you will get in this single article.

Not only these.

You will also find the answers to common frequently asked questions like,

for the phone interview, who calls who.
What are the telephone interview advantages and disadvantages (pros and cons)?
After the interview, what happens next?
How long are phone interviews and many more things.

Oh my goodness, all of these things in a single article?

Yes, my dear.

Now it's your turn to read the whole article and take yourself to the next level. Thank you in advance for reading the next part.

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Table of contents

What is a phone interview
Phone interview tips
Common phone interview questions and answers
Frequently asked questions about phone interviews (FAQ)
Wrap up

What is a phone interview

A phone interview is a preliminary interview conducted over the phone instead of in person.

It is usually shorter than in-person interviews. This type of interview is typically used to screen candidates before inviting them to an in-person interview.

If a company invites you for a phone interview, it's a good sign that the employer is interested in you and wants to learn more about you.

It would be best if you took that chance to make a good impression and convince the interviewer that you are the right applicant for the job.

Phone interview tips

Now let’s get to the main point. What do you say?

Consider a phone interview just as seriously as the in-person interview

You might think that you can just win it since phone interviews are less personal than face-to-face interviews.

It's completely wrong. Actually, that's not the case!

Remember, a phone interview is mainly a filter process. This filtering is primarily used for shortlisting candidates. These shortlisted candidates will get the invitation for the next face-to-face interview.

Now you tell me if this is the case will you get the next call if you don't take the telephone interview seriously? What do you think?

That means, the importance of telephone interviews is equal to that of in-person interviews., and you should prepare for them similarly. Only then you will feel confident on the telephone call.

Research the company ahead of time

You've landed a phone interview for your dream job. Congrats! Now it's time to do your homework and research the company before your big day.

This will not only give you a better understanding of the company's culture and values but also help you prepare for questions that the interviewer may ask.

For example, the interviewer may ask you, "what do you know about our company?" If you research their company beforehand, you know about their products or services, their management, their achievements, so no doubt, it's easy for you to answer that question.

It's an excellent way, right?

Here are a few experts' tips on how to research a company before your phone interview:

Study the company's website and read their "About Us" page.
Check out the company's social media accounts.
Google the company and see what news articles come up. If there is any publication regarding the company, read that.
See if you find any employee reviews of the company.

Take time to research the company beforehand, your preparation will be fantastic, and it will be easy for you to impress the interviewer.

Good luck!

A quiet place

Find a quiet place where nothing can interrupt you during the interview is essential. This will help you to focus and be more present during the conversation.

Some tips on creating a quiet space for your phone interview:

Find a room in your house or apartment that has good acoustics. Avoid places with lots of hard surfaces like kitchens and bathrooms.
If you have roommates, let them know in advance that you have a phone interview and ask them to avoid making noise during that time.
If you live in a sound-polluted area, you may consider using headphones to help block out external noise.

Creating a quiet space for your phone interview will help you be more present and focused during the conversation. This will help you to make a great impression on the interviewer.

Ohh, I forgot to mention one more thing. Sorry.

Be sure to charge your phone and turn off the notification sound so you don't have any unexpected interruptions during the call.

Preparing for a phone interview can be daunting, but following these simple tips will help you succeed.

Practice

It's always an excellent way to practice your answers to common interview questions before going into a phone interview. This way, you'll sound more natural and confident on the phone, and you'll be less likely to get tongue-tied when the interviewer asks you tough questions.

One of the best ways to practice is to ask a friend or family member to ask you some common interview questions. Then, answer the questions out loud, just as you would in an actual interview.

Pay attention to your tone of voice and body language, and try to project confidence even if you feel a little nervous.

You'll be ready to ace your phone interview and impress the hiring manager with a little practice.

So what are some on-phone interview questions? Here are a few examples:

Tell me about yourself.
What are your strengths?
What are your weaknesses?
Why are you interested in this position?
Why should we hire you?
What are your salary requirements?
Do you have any questions for me?

Related Article: Job interview question and answer | Tricky techniques

Please practice answers to these questions. This will help you feel more confident and more prepared for your phone interview. So go ahead.

Extra information: In a phone interview with a recruiter, they'll likely ask you questions about your experience and qualifications. They might ask you about your availability and schedule. Phone interviews are usually brief, so the recruiter will probably only ask a few questions. The phone interview aims to see if you're a good fit for the position and if you have the required qualifications. If the recruiter thinks you're a good fit, they'll likely invite you to come in for an in-person interview.

Let the interviewer take the lead

Please don't try to dominate the conversation. It's really important you listen to the interviewer.

Actually, you have to be a little tricky.

Let the interviewer take control. They'll likely have a list of questions they want to ask, so let them guide the conversation. Let them take the lead. You only speak when it's your turn to do so.

This will help you stay on track.

Try to remain calm and focused.

Lastly, listen carefully to the interviewer's questions and answer them directly. You'll lose the interviewer's attention if you wander off-topic.

Good manners

When it comes to phone interviews, good manners are just as important as they are in person. Remember to smile, be polite, and thank the interviewer for their time, just as you would in an in-person interview.

Good phone manners are a sign of a professional attitude.

Maintaining good manners when you are interviewing for a job over the phone is essential.

There are a few telephone interview tips for you to remember when interviewing for a job over the phone:

Answer the phone professionally, with your name and a brief greeting.
Speak clearly and slowly, and enunciate your words.
Avoid using fillers such as "um" or "like."
Listen carefully to the questions, and take a moment to think about your answers before responding.
If you are not clear about any question, ask for clarification politely.
Avoid putting the hiring manager on hold unless it is essential.

Follow these tips, and you can make a good impression in your phone interview.

Be professional

Even though a telephone interview may seem less formal than a face-to-face one, it's still important to present yourself professionally. Here are a few tips:

Proper dress-up: Even though the employer can't see you, it's important to dress professionally for the phone interview. As a result, your self-confidence will increase during the interviewing time, which will help you make a good impression.
Smile: Make sure to smile when you're talking to the employer. This will help you sound more friendly and positive.
Speak clearly: Make sure to speak clearly and slowly. This will help the employer understand you and will make a good impression.
Be prepared: Make sure you're prepared for the phone interview. Primarily it would be best if you have preparation for common phone interview questions. Here there is one good piece of news for you. 99% of interviewers/recruiters generally use a standard set of interview questions during the telephone interview. Is not that good news?

All of these will give a signal of your professionalism to the recruiter.

Create a telephone interview cheat sheet

Create a cheat sheet for your phone interview. Believe me; it helped most of my friends a lot during their telephone interviews.

A phone interview cheat sheet can boost your confidence level like rocket speed.

It's guaranteed.

But how to create a telephone interview cheat sheet? Good question. Please take a look below. Thank you.

You are now clear about how to create a cheat sheet from the above image, right?

Write down your key skills, accomplishments, why the job excites you, etc., on your cheat sheet, and keep the sheet in front of you during the interview. It would help you to quickly and clearly answer the questions if the interviewer asked any questions from your cheat sheet.

It's an excellent tip; what do you think?

Please allow me to add one more tip. You can include the answers to more commonly asked telephone interview questions on your cheat sheet with bullet points.

These are the top telephone interview tips on my behalf. I hope if you follow these properly, there is a high chance you will get your next in-person interview call. Good luck.

Now it's time to know the top phone interview questions and their answers.

Common phone interview questions and answers

Check out our list of common phone interview questions and how to answer them.

1. Tell me about yourself

2. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

3. Why are you interested in this position?

4. What are your career goals?

5. What makes you a good fit for this position?

6. Tell me about a time when you overcame a challenge at work 7. Did you ever make a mistake at work?

8. What are your thoughts on teamwork?

9. Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a demanding customer or client

10. Do you have any questions for me?

Answering these questions thoughtfully and with specific examples will help you stand out from the other candidates, and it will help you to make a great impression.

Please click on this link. You will get the "example answer" to the above questions here.

Frequently asked questions about phone interviews (FAQ)

Q: After the phone interview, what happens next?

Answer: The hiring manager will usually contact you (via email or phone) within a few days to let you know if they select you for the next round. If you don't hear anything, it's probably safe to assume that you didn't get the job. Sometimes they may give you feedback on your interview performance and why they didn't select you for the next level.

Q: How to reply to a phone interview email?

Answer: When you receive a phone interview email, it is important to reply promptly (within 24 hours) and professionally. Phone interviews are usually scheduled in advance, so the company deserves a prompt response. When you reply, thank the employer for the opportunity and state that you are available at the specified time. Please provide your contact information in that email. It is also polite to include a brief sentence about why you are excited for the interview. For example, you might say, "I am excited to learn more about the XYZ Company and the XYZ position.". Keep your email concise, sweet, and to the point to make a good impression and demonstrate your professionalism.

Q: How long are phone interviews?

Answer: Most phone interviews last between 20 and 30 minutes. However, some phone interviews may last up to an hour. The length of the phone interview will depend on the company and the position you are interviewing for. For entry-level positions, a phone interview should last around 30 minutes. For more experienced candidates, a phone interview can last up to an hour.

Q: How to start a phone interview?

Answer:

Prepare for your phone interview in advance.
Answer the phone politely and introduce yourself; for example: "Hello, this is Shishir Kumar Saha. I've been looking forward to speaking with you, Ms. Shruti."
Call the interviewer by name and thank him/her before disconnecting. For example: "Thanks again, Ms. Shruti, for taking the time to talk with me about the job."

Q: What to expect during a phone interview?

Answer: You may expect the phone interviewer to ask you common cell phone interview questions like your professional background, why you want to work in the role, why you want to work in the company, your weakness, your strength, etc.

Q: For a phone interview, who calls who?

Answer: It is generally considered proper etiquette for the interviewer to call the interviewee for a phone interview. This rule does have a few exceptions, though. For example, if the interviewee is international, the interviewer may need to adjust the time of the call to accommodate the time difference. If this is the matter, it would be appropriate for the interviewer to reach out to the interviewee in advance to schedule a time for the call.

Q: How to answer a phone interview?

Answer: Phone interviews can be daunting, especially if you're unprepared. But with a bit of practice, you can ace your next phone interview and make a great impression on the interviewer. Here are a few guidelines and tips on how to answer a phone interview:

Take a deep breath and relax. Take a few minutes to calm your nerves and clear your mind before your interview.
Speak slowly and clearly. It's important to speak slowly and enunciate clearly so the interviewer can understand you.
Smile. Even though the interviewer can't see you, smiling will help project a positive and friendly demeanor.
Listen carefully and ask clarifying questions. It's important to really listen to the interviewer and ask questions politely if you need any clarification.

This is how you should answer a phone interview.

Q: What are the phone interview pros and cons (advantages and disadvantages)?

Answer: Phone interviews can be a great way to save time and money, but they can also be challenging. Because you can't see the other person's body language, it can be difficult to build rapport and establish a connection. Additionally, you won't have the opportunity to ask clarifying questions (in most cases) if you don't understand something.

Wrap up

The best way to ace a phone interview is to prepare yourself beforehand. Review common phone interview questions and answers ahead of time so you can sound polished and professional. It will be great to have a list of questions ready to ask the recruiter. By following these telephone interview tips, you'll be able to make a great impression and increase your chances of getting the job.

Ohh, one more important thing. There are the things that you should not do during your interview. Are you curious to know those? Please click here for the details. Thank you.

July 25, 2022