Over one-third of job applicants prefer an over-the-phone interview, using various means such as video conferencing, according to an independent survey of more than 2,000 candidates.
Preparing ahead of time for interviews improves your chances of getting important information in a shorter amount of time. Preparing for a phone interview as an employer requires that you should have a long list of interesting questions that can evaluate the candidate’s core organization value in just a few minutes of intersection.
As an employer or a company CEO looking to increase your organization’s team strength and assemble a high-performing team, it best you consider reading this interesting list of phone interview questions for self-help. Conduction an interview requires that you follow some guidelines to get the most of the interview section.
A candidate will be just as interested in your company’s evaluation as your company will be in evaluating the candidate during a phone interview. During your interview, candidates will ask questions about the position, company culture, and its values. So bet you’re prepared for a little stuff different from what you probably have experienced during a face-to-face interview.
One very common step to take when planning a phone interview is to find a quiet place before beginning the conversation with the potential employee. It’s important to eliminate background noise and distractions during the interview so that a candidate has a positive first impression of your organization.
Best questions to ask a potential employee during a phone interview section
Q1: Describe yourself
Why it works: Despite not being in a formal interview environment, most candidates find phone screen interviews nerve-racking. This classic opening question will help establish rapport and ease the interviewer into the topic.
This phone interview question is likely to generate a variety of responses. Some applicants may choose to emphasize certain aspects of their careers and relevant experiences. In contrast, others may opt to share personal information that will help determine if the candidate is a good fit with your organization. To answer the question that requires the candidate to describe themselves, a candidate may also reveal their most significant accomplishments or finest achievements.
Q2: Describe any licenses, degrees, or certifications relevant to this position
Why it works: It is important to verify candidates’ credentials even if degree classification requirements are included in your job advert. For example, when you hire an employee to drive a company truck, it is good to ensure they have a valid driver’s license. Individuals seeking positions for dental hygienists should ensure that they have degrees in dentistry have an active license of operation in the state in which they will be working.
Q3: What motivated you to apply for this job position?
Why it Works: The interviewer can figure out if a candidate is informed about the position and if their perspective is accurate (for example, if the candidate expresses a desire to create chances, but the position is purely analytical, he may not realize what he will be doing). Candidate’s to work with your organization can be determined through this simple inquiry. Rather than a candidate interested in the secondary perks associated with working at your organization, consider a candidate who exhibits a genuine interest in the responsibilities required for the specific function.
Q4: What was negative feedback that you ultimately found useful
Why it Works: The applicant will not be willing to give painful feedback if she has to do so. However, her maturity and awareness of herself are crucial to demonstrating that she can absorb challenging feedback and use it successfully.
In response to this question, applicants should not be defensive or attempt to blame the individual who offered feedback instead of accepting responsibility for their actions. Candidates who can be honest and nonjudgmental about their comments during the interview process will be more desirable. You want a candidate to emphasize how they learned something from the criticism, and ideally, they will even thank it for teaching them skills that ultimately helped them grow. If the candidate cannot accept and use feedback to improve, this may suggest a lack of maturity on your part, which might be problematic for you in the future.
Q5: What was negative feedback that you ultimately found useful
Why it Works: The applicant will not be willing to give painful feedback if she has to do so. However, her maturity and awareness of herself are crucial to demonstrating that she can absorb challenging feedback and use it successfully.
In response to this question, applicants should not be defensive or attempt to blame the individual who offered feedback instead of accepting responsibility for their actions. Candidates who can be honest and nonjudgmental about their comments during the interview process will be more desirable. You want a candidate to emphasize how they learned something from the criticism, and ideally, they will even thank it for teaching them skills that ultimately helped them grow. If the candidate cannot accept and use feedback to improve, this may suggest a lack of maturity on your part, which might be problematic for you in the future.
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Basic & common phone interview questions to ask
Q1: Discuss your understanding of this Job position.
Why it Works: Interview candidates may be asked this question to get a sense of how much information the employer or hiring them still needs to share about the position they are applying for. Additionally, it might indicate whether the candidate has carefully studied the job description as much as possible.
Q2: Have you left your last job for any reason?
Why it Works: There’s no doubt that this is one of the most popular phone interview questions, and it most certainly can be tricky, especially if you weren’t on the best of terms with your last employer. it gives the employer a yardstick to measure how well a candidate has a good interpersonal relationship with their former boss
Q3: What is the reason behind your job search?
Why it Works: Most employees tell their employer; they are unemployed directly to respond to this question. Employers aren’t interested to hear that candidate is looking for just any job they can get; they want to hear that you want theirs. Asking this question, employers can ascertain the level of desperation exhibited by a potential candidate. This will go a long way to determining a preferred candidate, or you’re just looking around for another source of a paycheque. look for employers who will not speak bad of their current employer or appear as though they are looking for a safe way out of an organization.
Q4: Would you care to ask me something?
Why it Works: It is important to let candidates ask questions. Additionally, it can indicate whether the candidate is enthusiastic and engaged about the position and your organization. Is the candidate aware of what the company is about, or are they completely dark about it?
Take time to understand their interests in your organization as it serves as a pointer to what interests them the most. Are they concerned about their prospects for advancement? Do you like learning more about the company’s culture from their desire to learn more about it? The candidate’s motivation is revealed a great deal by these questions. If a candidate doesn’t ask any questions, it may be a red flag.
Q5: Do you have any other interviews scheduled?
Why it Works: Employers may ask about a candidate’s status with other companies during a phone interview. The recruiter can use this information to understand how quickly the candidate needs to be moved through the interview process. For example, you might pose a higher risk to the company if you actively interviewing for other positions. If you’re interviewing an honest candidate, you are most likely to get a straight-to-the-point answer.
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Unique phone interview questions to ask a employer
Q1: How do you feel about working on your own?
Why It Works: Employers can tell if candidates are optimistic and have high expectations when asking this question during an interview.
Q2: What are your views on comparing yourself to other people? In what way has your work ethic influenced your ability to achieve your most ambitious goals?
Why It Works: Most companies prefer to hire high-quality staff who welcome new ideas and constantly strive for improvement. Cohesive teamwork is crucial. In a job interview, this question lets the employer know how motivated, and likely they are to fulfill their job responsibilities.
Q3: Tell me about the time when your life went through significant changes?
Why It Works: You must have team members willing to adapt and grow in a dynamic working environment. A candidate’s ability to adjust to change is examined during an interview by employers.
Q4: In making a decision, have you ever hesitated? If so, could you share an example? When faced with a deadline, how did you react?
Why It Works: The answers candidates give to the interview question hint that they prefer to make decisions without delay.
Q5: How has your professional achievement affect your personality?
Why it Works: In a work environment where the customer relationship is key, asking this interview question will help employers identify the tendency of a potential candidate to be rude or get overwhelmed with their career achievements.
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Phone interview questions used by Facebook
Q1: Suppose you will never want to work for that manager. Describe that manager’s personality.
Why it Works: Different management styles appeal to different people. The hiring manager wants to know the conditions that allow an employee to shine and the limitations that hold them back.
This question helps the hiring manager learn about a management style that won’t work for the candidate before hiring them.
Q2: Will working from home affect your productivity?
Why it Works: The recent Facebook work approach still allows employees to work from home. Employers ask this question to evaluate how distracted a potential candidate can be while working without supervision.
Q3: Which part of your job at Facebook is your favorite?
Why it Works: Employers ask this question to help evaluate candidate awareness about working on Facebook. This can become an engaging conversation where an employee gets the opportunity to discuss their favorite part of Facebook. In contrast, the hiring executive gets valuable information the can aid employment decision.
Q4: Is there a work setting that you prefer?
Why it Works: Asking this question during an interview can reveal if the company’s workplace has the conditions needed for the candidate to be productive, satisfied, and successful.
Several professionals prefer working in an autonomous environment, which allows them to work remotely and have flexible hours, while others like the structure and leadership that come with a 9-to-5 job. In contrast, a candidate interested in working independently and without supervision may be less interested in positions requiring significant collaboration and teamwork. This question is another helpful phone interview question you might consider on your next phone interview question with a potential employee.
Q5: How much do you expect to earn?
Why it Works: A phone screen interview is an excellent time to ask about salary ranges. This question will tell you how much you are prepared to pay and how much you are willing to negotiate.
It is important to determine if the candidate’s salary requirements are acceptable to the wage range you have allocated for the position. This is another helpful phone interview question you might consider on your next phone interview question with a potential employee.
Professional qualifications that the individual must have to hold the position. It is possible, for example, that an applicant is too senior for a position if they request a $150,000 annual salary, but you only budgeted $80,000.
Q6: Why do you want new employment?
Why it Works: The purpose of this question is to accomplish two objectives at once while interviewing by phone.
If you are searching for someone to replace an employee who left their present position, an employer asks why quitting their former appointment and how they will react if the same factor is faced in the current position. A candidate may not fit our requirements if this is the case. Candidates who claim they are leaving their current position due to the inability to advance, for instance, may not be the best fit for positions that don’t offer many career advancement opportunities and upward mobility.
Additionally, you can get a sense of how an individual’s personality and emotional stability are. Respecting the employer and refraining from personal attacks are both signs of maturity and professionalism in a candidate. This is another helpful phone interview question you might consider on your next phone interview question with a potential employee.
Q7: If shortlisted for this position, when could you resume your duty post?
Why it Works: Before changing jobs, candidates are typically required to give two weeks’ notice to their current employers. In contract workers, relocating, or those with other obligations, an individual might need more time to complete the application. Your decision on whether you want someone to start immediately or want to be flexible on the start date is something you’ll have to make.
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Phone interview questions used by Microsoft
Q1: What products from Microsoft are your favorite?
Why It Works: Microsoft product or service knowledge is measured by this simple question, allowing the hiring manager to assess your knowledge of Microsoft’s offerings.
Q2: When you work with colleagues in other locations, what methods do candidates use to maintain balanced relationships?
Why it Works: With employees spread across the globe, Microsoft is an international company. Several Microsoft jobs are remote, allowing the employee to work from anywhere. so employers had this question to dig deeper into candidate ability to maintain and run a smooth relationship
Q3: To stay current with your skills, what do you do?
Why it Works: Tech moves at a shockingly fast pace. There is no way Microsoft can provide every employee with the training they need to sharpen their skills. so employers ask this question to find out candidate’s plans to continue to sharpen their skills
Q4: Would you be open to travel for this position?
Why it Work: Some people might prefer not to travel outside of their local area to pursue a profession. Candidates should be informed about how much travel they can expect for the position and what type of travel they might encounter. Employers whose job role entails traveling or some shift of base shud consider this question and note the candidate’s response to the question as it informs them of the candidate’s willingness to travel.
Q5: How do you see this role developing?
Why it Works: Phone interviewers ask this question because it helps determine how the role fits with the candidate’s life goals, work mentality, and personality. The knowledge of these facts is essential for successful employment. Candidates who are likely to enjoy the job can be identified using this question.
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Phone interview questions used by Amazon
Q1: Would you report a coworker who stole a $1 item to management?
Why it Works: The employer’s biggest concern is shrinkage; therefore, employers ask this question to measure their reaction to theft or other forms of infidelity witness in their organization.
Q2: How did you handle a difficult customer?
Why it Works: Customer service was one of the reasons Amazon rose to greatness. Even when things did not go according to plan, it improved the shopping experience. Thus dealing with difficult customers is expected from all employees.
By asking this question, employers evaluate what your conduct around difficult customers will be like.
Q3: Describe a time you were most criticized and expand on your reaction to the criticism.
Why it Work: Employers are curious about how a protective candidate handles criticism or negative feedback from the supervisors or other superior officers.
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Phone interview questions for software engineers
Q1: Which data structures are common and what are their principles?
Why it Works: This question may be asked to check your understanding of basic programming concepts during your phone screening. The candidate is expected to explain how they understand the basis for design by using their answer to demonstrate their basic data structures.
Q2: What ERP experience do you have? Which ones, if any?
Why it Works: ERP (enterprise resource planning) software is heavily used by larger organizations. If you have the training required before you can fully contribute to the company, the hiring manager is trying to determine whether you can start on day one.
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Behavioral phone interview questions to ask
Q1: What are the best ways to benefit an organization?
Why It Works: Being humble while mentioning your strengths indicates you are a winning candidate. In an interview, these questions allow candidates to demonstrate how their strengths align with the job they are applying for and how their characteristics will help the company achieve its goals.
Q2: Can you share an experience outside of this industry in which you excelled?
Why It Works: This interview question informs the candidate’s employer of the candidate’s career history and highlights various outside-of-the-box skills valuable in their organization.
Q3: Have you learned anything since your last job?
Why It Works: Employers use this question in an interview to determine whether a candidate has changed careers based on what they’ve learned or excelled at from their past professional commitments.
Q4: has the course you studied being relevant on a job? Can you describe the relevance?
Why It Works: What prompted you to seek out this position if you weren’t previously in it? It is important to ask this question to evaluate potential after-secondary education requirements for a job at that time.
Q5: What types of decisions do you make as a member of your team?
Why It Works: Chief executives are looking for a candidate with a proven ability to make decisions. If you ask this question, you will better understand how the candidate prioritizes their work, employees, coworkers, and clients.
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Top questions to ask a recruiter in a phone interview
Q1: Could you tell me something about yourself that isn’t on your resume?
Why it Works: By asking this question, you show the candidate that you care more about her as an individual than just the information on a piece of paper. It forces her to consider her strongest characteristics more deeply. It also encourages the candidate to avoid using her resume as the most important part of the career exhibition.
It is quite likely that whatever the candidate says will be of great importance to her in some way since you asked the candidate for only one thing as a response. It is also useful for revealing some deeper layers of an interviewee’s personality if you suspect her responses are off-putting halfway through an interview.
Q2: Would you prefer to finish a task late but done well or on time but done fair okay
Why it Works: By answering the “would-you-rather” question, your candidate can demonstrate her priorities and decision-making process. This question requires someone who can think on her feet and speak confidently — the answer isn’t nearly as important as how she speaks it because there isn’t one clear right answer or wrong. Therefore, you should hire someone capable of both. You want a candidate who can quickly and effectively make judgments and do so with self-confidence, as well as one who can provide solid reasoning behind their response.
Q3: What is your greatest talent, and what would you like to improve in the future?
Why it Works: A brief description of her skills without an in-depth explanation is insufficient: anyone can write “hardworking” on their resume, but it is crucial to know how they demonstrate it. It is best to say, “In my previous position, I gained a great deal of experience in SEO.” rather than saying something like, “In my last job position, I gained a great deal of experience in SEO, but I believe that there is still room for growth in that area.”
Although the candidate is impressive at something, he acknowledges the possibility that his work can improve. The answers to your follow-up questions will give you a better idea of whether she has the aptitude for the job. However, the responses you receive should be enough to indicate that she’s flexible, willing to learn, and able to absorb constructive criticism.
Q4: What is the greatest challenge you encountered in your current position
Why it Works: When you interview a candidate who has faced challenges in their previous position, this does not signify they are a bad person – it shows that they are human. However, it is critical to be familiar with their ability to solve problems. Imagine that she recounts an event where she was with a particularly difficult client. Find ways to discuss how they had to adjust their strategy to fit the client’s needs to reach a mutually beneficial compromise. To demonstrate empathy, instead of blaming the other party, they must show understanding of other people.
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Second phone interview questions
Q1: What is your experience with your job hunting?
Why it Works: Employers ask about your overall degree of satisfaction with job hunting to gauge your likelihood of receiving a job offer soon. They ask to know if you have a queue of employers interested in offering you employment to ascertain the ease of getting such a candidate is a member of their team following a successful interview.
Q2: How is this position going to be successful for you?
Why it Works: It’s not uncommon for an employer to directly ask why you think you’ll be successful in their position, but in fact, they tend to ask the question in some funny ways like this. Employers ask this question to ascertain the confidence level of a potential employee to do a successful job. No employer wants to employ a timid staff and not sure they can get the job done.
Q3: What is your passion?
Why it Works: Employers may be able to identify whether you’d be a good match for a particular position if they know what makes you passionate or motivated. The position might not be right for you if you have a passion for helping people, but the position involves little interaction with others. In answering this question, employers want candidates who can think broadly about their motivations, both at work and outside of it, and find ways their passions and the role might align.
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Every employer must equip themselves with valuable interview questions if an interview section aims to dig deep into the candidate’s core value and get the high-performing team.