How Do I Pass a Phone Interview?

Filed in Interviews by on January 31, 2022

Recruiters often ask phone interview questions to check if candidates meet the necessary criteria before recommending them to the hiring manager.

phone interview questions

It’s crucial to speak clearly and use friendly language in your responses.

In the following discussion, we’ll cover various phone interview questions and provide examples of how you can answer them effectively.

Phone Interview Questions and Answers

A phone interview is a good way to gauge a candidate’s skills, experience, and career goals.

It also helps assess attitudes like politeness and courtesy before deciding if it’s ideal to invite them for an in-person interview.

The interview questions and answers are;

Question 1: Can you tell me a bit about yourself?

Answer: I’m someone who loves getting things done and always keeps an eye on our goals. I find the pressure of reaching those goals motivating.

In the past year, I helped my team reduce our product time to market by two weeks.

Question 2: Why are you interested in this job?

Answer: I’ve been building skills in your industry for a while now, and I believe I have the right knowledge and qualifications you’re looking for.

I’m passionate about environmental protection, and I think it’s time for me to make a positive change, with your company being the perfect place for it.

Question 3: What attracts you to this position?

Answer: I realized that the parts of my previous jobs I enjoyed the most match what you’re looking for in this role, like creative writing and building relationships.

I’m ready for a change and think this position aligns perfectly with my skills as a PR professional.

Question 4: What do you know about the role?

Answer: The job description mentions you need a bookkeeper to handle Accounts Payable and Procurement.

I also noticed the requirement for HIPAA compliance, which I’m certified for. Daily tasks seem to involve processing invoices, check requests, and wire transfers.

Essential Tips for Answering Phone Interview Questions

Question 5: Why do you want to work here?

Answer: I’ve been managing hospitality staff and always wanted to work for a company that values employee growth and offers a great experience for guests.

Your recent press release about an innovative rewards program caught my eye, and I’d love to contribute to your mission of providing quality service.

Question 6: Why are you looking for jobs?

Answer: I’m eager to kickstart my career as a project coordinator after gaining experience as an executive assistant.

Having worked in the retail industry in my previous roles, I believe I’m well-prepared for this position.

Question 7: What are you passionate about?

Answer: I’m passionate about creating user-friendly digital experiences that make valuable information easily accessible to people worldwide.

Designing in a way that helps users reach their potential, even in a small way, drives me daily.

Question 8: Are you interviewing with other companies?

Answer: Yes, I am exploring opportunities with a few other employers while considering this role as the best fit for what I’m looking for.

Question 9: When can you start?

Answer: I can start as soon as possible, and I’ve already considered the standard two-week notice period if needed.

Question 10: Where do you come from that you have this position?

Answer: One of my friends, Peyton Thomas, suggested that a job in your product department would be a great opportunity.

For a long time now, I’ve been familiar with what you do and when this opportunity popped up, I felt that it would be a great match for me.

Mastering the Art of Phone Interview Responses

Question 11: Can you tell me what you think about our firm?

Answer: I have always followed your advice pieces since they started. You talk about helping people build meaningful careers and that strikes a chord with me.

Now that I am leaving a job that I didn’t love for 10 years and heading towards a mission that aims at helping young people find their passion from the start, I am thrilled.

Question 12: What made you decide to leave your previous workplace?

Answer: For some time now, I have been working as a project manager and I find it fascinating but I am ready to use my expertise in a new tech industry environment.

This position looks as though this is a place I can change into someone else.

Question 13: How do you perform in your present job?

Answer: My daily activities include data analysis and influencing how sales and marketing approach messaging as well as finding new clients.

Along with that, I work closely with product team members to provide them with a better understanding of their customers.

Question 14: How do you see your next job position?

Answer: I spent some time developing my data analysis expertise, and I’d like a position where I can also work in this direction.

Furthermore, what excites me about this position is that I would be able to do both data analysis and presentation of my findings.

A Guide to Acing Phone Interview Questions

Question 15: What motivates me to apply for this position?

Answer: The past decade saw me grow from a fresh graduate to an account executive position at various software (SaaS) companies.

Now I am ready to apply what I have learned in fundraising and help others. I am confident that with this opportunity from your company, I will be able to do what I desire most.

Question 16: What is your favorite style of management?

Answer: I reach my full potential when I have clear, simple, and realistic goals and expectations. I am very goal-oriented and having deadlines to work towards gives me a sense of purpose.

Being part of a team that is striving for success and contributing to the overall success of the company is very fulfilling.

Question 17: What makes you stand out from the others?

Answer: Being an executive assistant, I have been dealing with schedules, travel, email accounts, and expense reports.

I have never encountered a task that is too big or too small because I have done it all, and I can bring you a lot of experience and stability.

Excelling in Common Phone Interview Question Challenges

Question 18: Will you be able to move to a new place?

Answer: In case of the need I am available for the relocation. I’m flexible and eager to become part of the team.

Question 19: Is there anything else I can tell you?

Answer: I am interested in working with the team and the company’s culture. If you don’t mind, could you tell me more about your experience here and how teams operate together?

Question 20: Tell about your latest project and what your contribution to it was.

Answer: In recent times, I was engaged in a project whose main purpose was to improve the user experience on our website.

As a part of my job, I focused on the front-end design and implemented a more user-friendly shopping cart for our e-commerce platform.

A phone screening interview is a short, 15 to 30-minute call, which allows employers to discover a candidate’s personality and skill set as early as possible.

It is like the pre-interview which is a shortcut for both the interviewer and interviewee.

Recruiters conduct it in the initial stages of hiring to determine the candidate’s suitability for both the job and the company.

It doesn’t matter if you are the one asking or answering them, be serious about it because it could be the start of something wonderful.

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