Phone Interview Questions and Answers Examples - How to Prepare for Phone Interviews

How to CRUSH Your Phone Interview

Key Concepts: Phone interview preparation, conciseness, note-taking, asking insightful questions, understanding company needs, answering common interview questions, salary negotiation, post-interview follow-up.

Rapid Fire Tips

• Conciseness: Phone interviews are typically 30 minutes or less, so answers should be concise, ideally under a minute. Failing to answer all questions can lead to rejection.
• Note-Taking (Preparation): Prepare notes on:
  • Elevator pitch/ "Tell me about yourself" answer.
  • Verbiage for explaining why you left your last role.
  • Desired salary range.
  • Company information and reasons for interest.
  • One to three accomplishments relevant to the job description.
• Note-Taking (During Interview): Take detailed notes during the call to capture what the company is looking for. Use their language in subsequent interviews.
• Asking Questions: Always ask questions at the end of the interview. A valuable question to ask, especially if the role has been open for a while, is: "How far are you into the search for this role?" and "What seems to be missing from a lot of the candidates you're speaking to?" This reveals the hiring manager's priorities and potential weaknesses to address.

Understanding What the Company Wants

• Initial Questions: Interviewers often start with pleasantries and then gauge your familiarity with the company and the technology involved.
  • Example: "Are you familiar with what our company does?" "Are you familiar with this technology and how it works?"
  • Recommendation: Demonstrate prior research by mentioning specific details like app downloads, website visits, or recent news articles. Express interest but also ask for their perspective on the company and role.
• "Tell Me About Yourself": While some interviewers ask this directly, others may not if they've reviewed your resume thoroughly. A concise answer is crucial (under two minutes).
• "What Do You Want in Your Next Role?": This question assesses compatibility and helps the interviewer tailor their pitch if they want to "close" you. Be honest and specific in your response.
• "Why Did You Leave Your Current/Last Job?": This reveals your motivations and potential dealbreakers.
• "What Makes You Interested in This Role and Company?": Passion and interest are key. Emphasize aspects of the company, product, culture, and responsibilities that appeal to you. Avoid generic extrinsic motivators like salary, benefits, or commute.
• Direct Questions: Expect direct questions about logistics like commute, legal work eligibility, and start date. Answer these directly.
• Salary Question: Be prepared for questions about compensation requirements, current salary, or targeted salary. Avoid giving a number if possible to maximize negotiation power later.
• Skills-Based Questions: Interviewers will ask pointed questions about skills listed in the job description to ensure you meet core qualifications.
  • Example (Product Manager): "What's one of your favorite products right now? Critique the user experience and what you would change about it."
  • Preparation: Research common questions for your profession and prepare stories illustrating your experience with the required skills. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.

After the Interview

• Thank You Email: Send a thank you email within 24 hours to demonstrate interest and passion.
• Follow-Up: Follow up every five business days to inquire about next steps. Persistence is key.
• Resources: Follow-up email templates are available.

Synthesis/Conclusion

To crush a phone interview, preparation is paramount. This includes researching the company, preparing concise answers to common questions, and formulating insightful questions to ask the interviewer. During the interview, focus on being concise, taking detailed notes, and demonstrating genuine interest in the role and company. After the interview, send a thank you email and follow up regularly to increase your chances of success. The key is to be prepared, engaged, and persistent throughout the entire process.