Talking To A Recruiter Heres What You Should Know About That Phone Call
If your phone interview is actually with a recruiter who found you via LinkedIn or another source, thats awesome! Youll want to keep several things in mind.
First off, this is still an interview. It shouldnt be a formal conversation , but you should still do your research, practice some responses, and prepare your own questions. And youll want to express enthusiasm for the opportunity and speaking with themeven if youre not actually all that interested in the role .
As Muse writer and career coach Jenny Foss points out, you have the upper hand because the recruiter is rooting for you to succeed. So use that to ask for their help and suggestions in moving on to the next round and express clearly your intentions for the role, like your salary demands and ideal set of responsibilities.
Fast Company
Schedule Telephone Interviews On The Same Day
When scheduling your interviews, evaluate your phone interview questions and estimate how much time youll need with each candidate. Provide a little extra room in your schedule, in case the candidate is especially talkative or has more questions than you anticipate. You dont want to rush through them or cut them off abruptly if you can help it.
As with any interview, its best to ask the candidate for their availability first and try to work around it. This could mean being available during the lunch hour, or outside of normal business hours. This may be more common if youre interviewing candidates across multiple time zones.
If possible, schedule all your interviews for the same day. Having conversations close to each other helps you remember things you liked and didnt like about each candidates answers, and also allows you to evaluate them on a more equal footing.
Prepare Your Salary Number
Yes, this is might come up, especially if the phone interview is an initial screening call with HR. So youll want to have a smart answer ready.
Figure out what youre worth by using a salary calculator and reading this article and this one. Then practice how youll convey that request by reading this article on discussing salary requirements.
And check out this article if you find yourself being asked the question, Whats your current salary?
Don’t Miss: Best Interview Attire For A Woman
Phone Interview Tip #: Understand Who’s Calling
Some Phone Interview Questions You Might Get:
- Tell me a little bit about your work history.
- Why are you looking to leave your current company?
- What is the biggest challenge you have seen at your current position and how did you overcome it?
- Describe a substantial win in your last position.
- What was your favorite/least favorite element of your last position?
- How can you contribute to our companys success?
- How well do you work by yourself, with a team?
- Why are you interested in coming to work for us?
- Why are you attracted to this specific position?
- What makes you the ideal candidate for this position?
- When can you come in for a face-to-face interview?
- Are you willing to relocate? If we don’t provide relocation assistance, are you still willing?
- What are your salary requirements?
- How far along are you in your search? Are you speaking to other companies?
- Tell me about in your resume.
- Where do you see yourself in five years?
- What questions do you have for me?
How To Prepare For A Phone Interview
Whether youre trying to launch a career, land an internship, or get into your dream school, first impressions are everything. To get an offer letter, youll need to dazzle the interviewer and showcase yourself in the right light.
Before you hop on the phone, check out these pre-interview tips to make sure that youre prepared and ready to impress.
Recommended Reading: Questions To Ask Cfo In Interview
Set A Professional Voicemail
In the event you cant answer the phone when they initially call, leave a good impression by having a professional and friendly voicemail. For example, Hi, youve reached Jane. Im sorry I missed your call. Please leave a detailed message and a call back number, and Ill get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you.
Greeting An Interview Panel
If there are several interviewers in the room, wait to be introduced. Smile and shake their hands confidently as you hear their names. Greet everyone.
Example:”Hello, Mrs. Young, it’s nice to meet you.”
Try to recall as many names as possible if there are no nameplates in front of them you will need to use them when you address them later.
Wait for an invitation to sit down. If the interviewer doesn’t direct you to a specific chair, you can position yourself in front of the interview board. During the meeting, keep your calm and friendly behavior. Take contact information. At the end of the interview, say clearly that you want the position you interviewed for.
Learn more:How to Succeed in a Panel Interview: Tips and Example Questions
Don’t Miss: What To Wear For An Interview Women
What Is The Purpose Of A Screening Interview
Typically, an employer will hold phone screening interviews in the first round of hiring. They are designed to determine if an applicant is qualified for the position and would be a good fit for their company.
As one of the leading engineering staffing agencies, we help employers recruit engineering, design, and IT Talent. Contact us about our Engineering recruiting services or IT staffing services
Answers The Phone Professionally
I listen to how the candidate answers the phone. While many people expect unknown numbers to be from spam callers these days, people who are expecting interview calls should still be prepared to sound pleasant and energetic when answering a call around the expected time of the interview. This effort to be prepared will already show a lot about the candidates work ethic and level of professionalism.
Recommended Reading: How To Prepare System Design Interview
Research Common Interview Questions
Dont forget to prepare for questions you might be asked during your phone interview. Start by reaching out to people in your network who have worked or interviewed with the company in the past and ask them about potential interview questions.
If you dont know anyone with connections to the company, dont sweat it. There are other ways to get the inside scoop on the interview process. For instance, Glassdoor has interview questions and reviews that can give you a better idea of what will be asked in your interview.
If youre interviewing for internships, you need to be prepared for a different set of questions. Be sure to check out our list of common internship interview questions and know how to answer them.
Best Phone Interview Questions To Ask Candidates
Your job is to find the best candidates for your business, but can you be sure that they are really the right person?
Its not uncommon to interview someone who may seem like a great fit on paper. Only to discover later that they just arent a good cultural fit.
As technical recruiters, we conduct phone interviews and phone screens almost every day.
To help you avoid this problem with each hire and make sure it works out. We list some phone interview questions that will give you valuable information about each candidate.
You May Like: Interview Questions For A Cfo
Resist The Urge To Multitask
It might be tempting to cross something off your to-do list while on a phone interview, but recruiters and hiring managers can easily tell if your attention is elsewhere. âMy number one pet peeve is people who decide to multitask while on the phone interview,â says Dan Krupansky, Talent Acquisition Manager at PrimePay. âI have heard candidates washing dishes, making lunch in the microwave, going for walks, letting their dog out, and grocery shopping during the interview. I even had one person use the bathroom and flush the toilet while speaking with me.â Needless to say, this doesnât reflect well on your level of interest in the position youâre interviewing for.
Make An Accomplishments Cheat Sheet
The interviewer will want to know why they should hire you. Make a cheat sheet of your experiences, skills, and accomplishments. Read the job posting again and write down specific qualifications that the employer is looking for. Make sure you talk about these qualifications in your interview. Use the cheat sheet during the interview when they ask you to provide specific examples of your accomplishments.
Also Check: Questions To Ask A Cfo During An Interview
What Is A Phone Interview Or Screen
In a phone screen meeting, an employer interviews potential employees who appear qualified for the advertised job after the resume and cover letter are reviewed. These meetings, by phone, are conducted by one person, usually the hiring manager or a Human Resources staff member, who ask the same basic questions of each candidate they call.
You ask each candidate the same basic questions during a phone screen to give you a basis for comparison of the skills and responses of each person. It is also likely that during your phone interview, your candidate’s responses may lead you to ask additional different follow-on questions. This is fine as long as you ask the same list basic of questions to avoid any possibility of unconscious bias or any possibility of discrimination.
The phone screen allows the employer to determine if the candidate’s qualifications, experience, workplace preferences, cultural fit, and salary needs are congruent with the position and the organization. The phone screen saves managerial time and eliminates unlikely candidates.
While developing a set of customized phone screen questions for each position you are attempting to fill is the recommended approach, use these phone screen best practices to guide you.
Common Phone Interview Questions And Answer Samples
- /
If you have a phone interview coming up, there are some questions you are very likely to be asked and practicing them can immediately help you feel confident and be ready to wow the interviewer so you can move on to the next stage!
Im going to walk you through the most common phone interview questions and best answers, so you can get hired faster.
Lets get started
Recommended Reading: Interview Attire Women
Test Or Scenario Question
During a phone interview, you might be asked to perform a simple test or respond to a scenario of some sort. They might be looking for something in your answer like your thought process, ability to be creative or think under pressure. While it might feel awkward to be silent on the phone, it is acceptable to ask for a moment to think about your answer.
During this time, calmly consider the steps you would take to respond to their test. Try and avoid taking more than 30 seconds to respond. You can also try asking clarifying questions to better understand what theyre looking for. Write down the question to make sure you address each part.
Example answer: The employer explains that theyd like you to provide ideas for marketing a local event on a tight budget, and which companies they could partner with. For this scenario, you might explain that grassroots marketing is both affordable and effective with local events. You would invest in strategized word of mouth efforts and a bold, teaser-style social media campaign. You provide examples of several local companies with the same mission or similar industry to partner with to help get the word out.
Eight Tips For A Successful Telephone Interview
Many employers choose to screen the first round of candidates by conducting a telephone interview, before choosing a more select group to invite to a face-to-face meeting. While you might think that an interview over the phone sounds easier than a formal meeting, theres still a lot to think about.
As well as considering the logistics , make sure youve thought about the following tips for a successful telephone interview:
You May Like: Best System Design Interview Prep
Phone Interview Tips That Will Help You Get Hired
While you’re job searching, it’s important to be prepared for a phone interview at a moment’s notice. Many companies start the interview process with a phone call to discuss the job opportunity with a prospective employee, determine whether the candidate is a good fit, and to gauge his or her interest in the position. In some cases, a phone interview may be the only interview you’ll have.
In many cases, your interview will be scheduled in advance by email or phone. In others, you may receive a surprise phone call asking whether you’re available to chat about the job.
You never know when a recruiter or a networking contact might call and ask whether you have a few minutes to talk, so always answer the phone professionally, especially if the number is unfamiliar.
You should also make sure that your voicemail message is professional.
Prepare Your Own Cheat Sheet
Like all good interviews, its not just about answering questions, but asking the right ones as well.
The right questions not only help you get information you might need to make an informed decision regarding the job, but it also helps confirm your qualifications as the ideal candidate for the position.
Ask about the different aspects of the job and express genuine interest and excitement in the opportunity.
Take the time to make sure that this is the organization you want to work foritll save you a ton of heartache and headaches in the long run.
Dont be afraid to dig for more details about the position and the company.
Ask questions about the job that werent covered in the job postingask about specifics and get details.
You need to know exactly what youre getting into before you say yes to the job
Make sure you prepare your own list of questions before you start. Make sure your questions are thoughtful and have a purpose.
Need some examples to use or ideas to kick start your own list? Check out our Top 14 Questions to Ask In An Interview blog post.
Remember though to keep these questions short and sweet. Again, remember, Its not about you, its about them. How can you fulfill their needs?
Recommended Reading: System Design Interview Preparation
Phone Interview Tips: How To Land A Second Interview
Companies rely on phone interviews to screen candidates. These phone interview tips will help you land a second interview.
How should you prepare for a phone interview? What are the most common phone interview questions? And how can you stand out during a phone interview? Our phone interview tips walk you through the steps to take before, during, and after a phone interview to help you move on to the next stage of the interview process.
Consider Your Salary Expectations
Many employers ask about your salary expectations. Research the average salary in your industry when considering what youd like to get paid, but be reasonable. Its also wise to offer them a salary range within $5,000. For example, Im hoping to make between $60,000 and $65,000. This will let your interviewer know that you are flexible.
Read more: Interview Question: What Are Your Salary Expectations?
You May Like: Women’s Outfit For Job Interview
What Are The Best Telephone Interview Questions To Ask
- What is your current and expected salary?
- Why are you leaving your current role?
- What is the most successful idea you have taken from concept to launch?
- What are the typical mistakes other candidates make in this role?
- Tell me about a great product or service you’ve encountered recently. Why do you like it?
What Type Of Work Environment Do You Prefer
Employers want to make sure that your personality is a fit for their work environment. This is different than determining if your skills are a fit for their job.
So after some of the competency-based questions in the interview, theyll likely ask about how you prefer to work, types of companies/environments youve enjoyed in the past, etc.
To answer, you can either describe an environment that you feel is similar to theirs, or demonstrate that you can work well in a variety of environments.
For more help with this, read our guide to answering what type of work environment do you prefer?
You May Like: Questions To Ask Cfo During Interview
Phone Interview Best Practices
During a phone screen, your goal is to eliminate your least qualified candidates to save onsite staff time and money. Additionally, you are hoping that your most qualified, mission compatible prospects rise to the top. During a phone screen, you are also looking for hints that the candidate’s needs are congruent with the offerings and culture provided by your organization.
You want to ask enough questions during the phone interview to determine if the person is a viable candidate. Remember, you have already screened many resumes and applications to come up with your short list of applicants eligible for a phone screen.
The applicants that you will phone interview should be your best prospects at this point in your recruitment process. If a candidate was sorted into your “maybe” resume stack, the candidate is unlikely to surpass the prospects you definitely identified as your top candidates. Don’t waste your timeor theirsin a phone interview unless their credentials and experience were in your top tier of candidates.
Are you interested to know what you should be able to expect from the candidate during the phone interview? See these recommended phone screen interview questions.
Ask About The Next Steps
Asking your interviewer about the next steps in the interview process is a good way to express your continued interest in the role and the company. While some employers might be ready to offer you a job, others might have you come in for an in-person interview as they narrow down their candidate search. Knowing the answer to this question will give you an idea of what to expect so you can prepare for the next steps.
Also Check: Preparing For System Design Interview
