Phone interviews are often the first step of the interviewing process and your chance to make a memorable first impression. It is not unusual for people to take phone interviews a bit less seriously, therefore coming to the call unprepared. Recommended tips to prepare for a phone interview commonly include printing your resume as if you were in person, sitting in a quiet spot where there are no interruptions, and smiling even though no one can see you. While this is all great advice, you should also consider preparing your own questions, not only to display your interest in the conversation, but to also show the interviewer that you did your research. Here are a few questions to ask on your next phone interview.
“What are the roles and responsibilities of this position?”
Get straight to the point of the interview, and ask what your day-to-day tasks would look like, as well as your role within the company. Job descriptions only tell so much and generally tend to leave out the nitty-gritty details – Ask the interviewer to explain the purpose of the position and how they foresee measuring the success of the person in it. It is also beneficial to hear this in a conversational environment versus the job listing.
“What foreseeable or identified challenges will this person face?”
The answer to this question is never something you will find in a job description, and, while it may not be a deal breaker, it is important information to have before stepping into a new role. Not only will it prepare you, but it will also show you how the team goes about solving issues and the way things work internally. In addition, asking this can provide an opportunity for you to speak about how you have tackled challenges in past roles, highlighting relatable scenarios and your experience.
“What is your timeline for next steps?”
This may seem like a basic interview question, but it’s a vital one to ensure you have direction on when you can expect to hear back from the hiring manager. In an article on Indeed, they write, “At the end of the phone interview, ask about the next steps. This will give you an idea of when you should expect to hear back (and a reason for sending a checking-in email if they don’t get back to you within that time frame). You’ll also find out if there are any additional interviews as well as how long the overall hiring process might take.”
Use these questions as a way to connect with your interviewer while also gaining insight into the company and role to which you are applying. Spend time before your interview brainstorming on what you, as the interviewee, want to get out of this phone call. Interviewing is a two-way street, so, while the hiring manager is scoping you out as a potential candidate, you should also view this as a time to learn all you can about the position and vet if it is the right place for you. We also have a previous blog with additional tips if you’d like to prepare more for your next phone interview.