Before you head to a job interview in person, you’ll likely have to go through a phone screen. Employers rely on these because they’re an efficient way to filter out applicants that are a weak fit and schedule face-to-face interviews with those that are the best fit.
But when it comes to preparing for one, you need to approach it just as seriously as you would a regular, in-person interview. To help you in the process, here are the top phone interview questions to get ready to answer.
What do you know about our company?
A hiring manager is going to ask you this question for a few reasons. First, they want to know how much you understand about the company, so they can fill in important gaps for you. Also, they want to assess whether or not you did your homework and researched the organization.
Why are you looking for a new job?
This can be tricky and awkward to answer, especially if you’re leaving for a negative reason, such as a toxic culture or a difficult relationship with your boss. It can be especially tough if you were fired. But when it comes to answering, you have to be honest yet diplomatic. For instance, if you were let go, state why and then explain what you learned from the process and how you can apply it to this opportunity if hired.
What do you do in your current position?
Most hiring managers want to get a sense of where you are now in your career. This provides them with some context for your skills and background. It also helps them to evaluate your communication abilities and how well you’re able to articulate your role.
What interests you most about this job?
When hiring managers are evaluating candidates, they want those who are eager, not someone simply looking for any job. It’s therefore important to talk about what drew you to this position or company and what about it excites you. To answer this question, take a look back at the job posting and company website. Identify areas that are especially interesting to you and then connect them to your background and future career goals.
What type of work environment do you operate best in?
If a hiring manager asks you this question, they’re looking to evaluate more than just your skills, but personality too. They want to ensure you’re a good fit for the culture and they’ll be able to tell by the kinds of environments in which you work best. When answering this question, just be honest. Don’t try to tell them what they want to hear. Remember, it’s critical for your career success that both position and the culture are right for you.
Why should we hire you?
This is the million-dollar question and where so many job candidates can make or break their chances of getting the offer for an interview. When preparing your answer, it’s best to identify which skills and abilities are most relevant to the position and then quantify them with specific results you achieved.
Need help preparing for your next big interview?
ResumeSpice is here for you. We’re a leading resume writing service and can help with many aspects of your search, from preparing a professional resume to interview prep and more. If you’re ready to learn more, call 832.930.7378 or contact us online.
