| The Phone interview plays a crucial role in a | | | | Q. Do you have any managerial experience or are you |
| candidate's pre-hire process. This means that the | | | | more of an individual contributor? |
| employer has reviewed the candidate's resume and or | | | | A. if you do not, then it is ok to say that you are an |
| application and they are showing some interest which | | | | individual contributor, if you do have managerial |
| is a positive step forward, although the candidate is still | | | | experience then elaborate on your experience, let |
| far away from being hired! The phone interview in | | | | them know; when, where, how many people did you |
| many cases may be a make-it or break-it for many | | | | manage, your responsibilities as a manager, etc.. Note: |
| candidates as this is mainly a way for the employer to | | | | good managers talk about their employees and their |
| verify if the "you" the candidate are both a cultural and | | | | employee's growth, development, each employees |
| technical fit for their work environment. Below are | | | | responsibilities, etc. |
| some of the most common phone interview questions | | | | Q. What do you know about this company/job that |
| and answers. | | | | you are applying for? |
| Q. Can you tell me a little about yourself? | | | | A. This question is used to see if you have prepared |
| A. This question is commonly used by the employer to | | | | for the interview. Candidates that have researched the |
| break the ice and to get the candidate to reveal some | | | | company are more appealing. Companies like |
| basic personality traits. The best response would be | | | | prepared, organized candidates. |
| short and professional. Remember to stay focused as | | | | Q. How many years experience do you have in |
| the employer doesn't want to hear anything that | | | | _________? |
| doesn't relate to their business! | | | | A. this is a close-ended question, give a direct answer |
| Q. What is your education background? | | | | and the only other thing you should add would be your |
| A. The correct answer is the honest answer. "Direct | | | | proficiency with this particular skill. Just because you |
| and straight to the point", is the only thing an employer | | | | may have 5 years of experience with something |
| likes to hear. If you do not have a degree and you are | | | | doesn't necessarily mean you are a master at that skill. |
| not enrolled in an educational program, don't talk about | | | | Being as honest as possible will help eliminate the |
| how you are continuing your education because the | | | | possibility of setting yourself up for failure. |
| truth is you aren't! | | | | Q. We have spoken with several candidates. Why are |
| Q. Are you currently employed and where? | | | | you the one we should hire? |
| A. In an ideal situation, you don't want to leave one job | | | | A. Give detailed examples of your skills and |
| without having another lined up; always answer this | | | | accomplishments. Be positive, and emphasize how |
| question direct to the point and honestly. Note: no | | | | your background matches their job description. |
| negative talk even if your previous job came to a | | | | Q. How well do you handle stress and pressure at |
| bitter end! | | | | work? Please give an example ofhow you overcame |
| Q. If you are not employed, when were you last | | | | a stressful situation. |
| employed and what is the reason that you are no | | | | A. the correct answer is that you work well under |
| longer there? | | | | pressure, and you enjoy working in an environment |
| A. If you are not employed be honest about your | | | | that is challenging. It's good for the employer to know |
| employment dates both verbally and written on your | | | | that you are an individual who has the capability to |
| resume. Note: Always remember, "do not talk | | | | diffusing stress while working in demanding |
| negatively about your previous employers or | | | | environments with deadlines. |
| employment situations", no matter how much you want | | | | Q. What are your greatest strengths? |
| to! | | | | A. This is a perfect opportunity to shine! Some topics |
| Q. Tell me about your current employer (i.e. what do | | | | to discuss could be; ability to communicate and work |
| they do, how long they've been in business, etc.). | | | | well with others, leadership/ management skills and |
| A. This question is used to show how well you know | | | | experience, ability to adapt to new environments, ability |
| your own business and how detail oriented you are or | | | | to learn new skills, capabilities of dealing with stress |
| may be. | | | | and deadlines, etc.. |
| Q. What is the most important thing you're looking for | | | | Q. What are your greatest weaknesses? |
| in a company/job? | | | | A. This is a very important question. If you answer "no |
| A. And no, the answer should never be more money!!! | | | | weaknesses" it appears that you are avoiding the |
| Even if that is the real answer!! The correct answer | | | | question or you aren't analytical enough to evaluate |
| should be; a new challenge with an opportunity for | | | | your own strengths and weaknesses. It is very |
| growth and development. Employers truly want | | | | important to give a strength that compensates for |
| candidates that can offer an immediate impact on their | | | | your weakness to help convert your weakness into a |
| business, including applicable skills, education and | | | | positive such as; "I'm normally a great "go-to" person at |
| experience, but also candidates that are interested in | | | | work and I love to help others so much that |
| new challenges and want to continue to develop and | | | | sometimes I find myself having to put in more hours in |
| grow within new work environments! | | | | a week just to complete my required duties." This is a |
| Q. Why are you considering leaving your current | | | | perfect example of how my strong technical skills and |
| employer? | | | | ability to work with others compensates for my |
| A.. If your answer is because you hate your boss, you | | | | weakness. |
| just lost this opportunity! No employer ever likes to | | | | Q. What are your current salary expectation? |
| hear negative discussions about your current or prior | | | | A. The answer is simple, what do you make now and |
| work engagements. Any negative discussions will be | | | | what do you honestly feel that your skills are worth? |
| portrayed as "red flags" to the employer which are not | | | | To determine a particular hourly rate or salary range, |
| good for you. Depending on your circumstance there | | | | There are many "compensation calculators" available |
| could be many answers to this question. Simply give a | | | | online to help you gauge not only what someone with |
| positive response with a logical explanation such as "I | | | | your skills and years of experience should be making, |
| decided to relocate so that I could be closer to my | | | | but also the average compensation in different regions |
| family" or "I've been at my current employer for 8 | | | | or the U.S. or the world! |
| years and I've reached my maximum potential, so I've | | | | If you over-price yourself, you may just be pricing |
| decided to search for a new and challenging | | | | yourself out of an opportunity and if you under-price |
| opportunities", etc. | | | | yourself, you could be undermining your worth, enough |
| Q. How long have you been with your current | | | | so, that the employer may feel that something is |
| employer? | | | | wrong with you and will move on to other candidates. |
| A. this is a simple close-ended question, simply answer | | | | Before you interview, it is in your best interest to truly |
| the question honestly! If it wasn't a substantial length of | | | | understand your worth! |
| time, just give a logical and positive explanation. | | | | Q. Do you have any questions? |
| "Remember; always be as positive as possible." | | | | A. Questions can be both good and bad. Usually on a |
| Q. On a Day-to-Day basis at your current job, what | | | | phone interview there are questions you should and |
| are your primary responsibilities? | | | | shouldn't ask, such as: |
| A. This question is to test your ability to articulate in fine | | | | Question to ask employers on a phone interview: |
| detail what you do at your current employer. If your | | | | - What are the day-to-day responsibilities of this job? |
| memory is not that great, you should prepare yourself | | | | - How will my leadership responsibilities and |
| with some details. Note: never regurgitate the | | | | performance be measured? By whom? |
| information directly off of your resume as this shows | | | | - Who will review my performance? How often? |
| that you are unable to have an intellectual | | | | - What is the company's plan for the next five years, |
| conversation! | | | | and how does this department fit in? |
| Q. What size groups do you work in and do you have | | | | - Could you describe your company's management |
| any group size preferences? | | | | style and the type of employee who fits well within it? |
| A. This is a question to see how comfortable you | | | | - Who is the company's competition? What are the |
| working with other people. It is always best to be | | | | company's strengths and weaknesses compared to |
| honest, with the employer and yourself. If you really | | | | its competition? |
| don't like working in larger groups or around lots of | | | | - What is the company's policy on providing education, |
| people then let them know... Maybe the job isn't an | | | | workshops, and training so employees can keep up |
| exact fit for you and that's OK because there will be | | | | their skills or acquire new ones? |
| many other opportunities out there that may provide | | | | - Etc. |
| you with your ideal work environment. Phone | | | | Questions Not to ask on a phone interview: |
| interviews and in person interviews are also a perfect | | | | - Will I have to work overtime? |
| opportunity for you the candidate to be interviewing | | | | - Are the working hours flexible? |
| the employer, to verify if their company/job is best for | | | | - Can I work from home |
| you! | | | | - Does this job require that I pass a Drug and |
| Q. Have you received any raises or promotions at | | | | Background check |
| your current employer? | | | | - How much does this position pay? |
| A. This is a pretty straight forward question, either you | | | | - What type of health insurance does the company |
| have or you haven't. Either way it is always good to | | | | offer? |
| discuss your promotions and if you haven't been | | | | - Is there public transportation in the company's area? |
| promoted, then keep the conversation positive; which | | | | - How many weeks of vacation time/ sick time do |
| means no negative discussions! | | | | you offer? |