Friday, March 22, 2024

Phone Interview Questions To Ask Candidate

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What Challenges Are You Looking For In A Position

Top Phone Interview Tips: 5 Common Questions & Best Strategies | Indeed Career Tips

Great candidates are always looking for growth in their next opportunity.

A good answer might go something like this. I want to work for a company that really values collaboration, and has a healthy and supportive environment where people can grow.

I am looking for an employer with lots of opportunities to collaborate with dynamic teammates who are driven to succeed. I also need a workplace where my success is celebrated so that I can continue growing as an employee.

What Are You Working On To Improve Yourself

Outside of work, whats a new skill or habit youre currently working on to improve yourself?

In my experience, people who are self-motivated, proactive, and productive are always doing things to improve their lives. Go-getters are not stagnant and satisfied with the status quo they are active and enjoy challenging themselves to learn new things, develop beneficial habits, and achieve goals.

Robin Salter, Owner of two businesses, seasoned freelance writer, and CMO of a tech startup called KWIPPED

Build Off Of Your Conversation

You also want to pick up on whats happened in the interview so far. Ask questions that build off of what you and the interviewer have discussed. You might want to follow up on a project they mentioned youd be working on, or a responsibility that you didnt see in the job description. The key is to make this portion of the interview feel like a continuation of the conversation.

Also Check: How To Pass A Behavioral Interview

Dive Into Your Prepared Phone Interview Questions

Having a list of questions prepared ahead of time will help even the most seasoned hiring managers through the phone interview conversation. Having a list of questions prepared before the call allows the interviewer to concentrate on the candidates responses and ensures each candidate is asked the same set of questions, providing process consistency. Below are questions we recommend all phone interviews include.

1. How did you find out about this role?

2. Why are you looking for a new role?

How a candidate answers phone questions related to the overall job search says a lot about their work ethic and attitude. If a candidate doesnt have a straight answer for why he or she is looking for a new role, it might be because the candidate is underperforming in their current or previous role. But if a candidate has a well thought-out answer to this question, such as wanting to move up the career ladder or join a fast-growing team, he or she is more likely to be driven to succeed on your team.

3. What are your long-term career goals?

4. What type of work do you enjoy doing most? Which tasks arent your favorite?

After asking phone interview questions about each candidates career plan, you should ask them two questions. First, ask them what they think theyre best at, professionally speaking, and what type of work they enjoy doing. This will help you better understand the candidates passions and where each candidate is likely to excel if hired for your open role.

How Would You Deal With A Difficult Coworker

Second Interview Questions To Ask Employer

Looking at the big picture, behavioral questions look for examples of things youve experienced in the past, while situational questions are seeking examples of how you would do something given a specific scenario.

How would you deal with a difficult coworker? In this situational question, the interviewer is attempting to find out if you have the ability to diffuse and prevent potential drama among team members. A good answer would be I would refrain from engaging in harmful activities such as gossip and negativity and remain positive in all dealings with that individual. If the situation became difficult to manage personally, I would seek advice from my supervisor on what to do specifically.

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Questions For The Employer

Finally, phone screenings often conclude with interviewers asking interviewees if they have any questions. As a job applicant, it is imperative you prepare questions for the interviewer about the role and the organization in advance. Declining to ask any questions when afforded the opportunity to do so is a major red flag for employers.

Here are some suggestions for strong questions to ask your interviewer:

About the Job

  • What does a typical day look like in this position?
  • What are the short and long term goals for a new hire in this position?

About the Organization

  • Why do you enjoy working here?
  • How would you describe the organizational culture?
  • What are the companies goals, both short and long term?
  • What have been the most significant recent challenges the organization has faced?

About the Hiring Process

How Did You Spend Your Time During The Lockdown

This is a great topical question to ask because it will tell you a lot about a person and what they do with their spare time.

The lockdowns most of us have endured gave many people a lot more spare time than they have previously had. How this time is spent will give you huge insights as to the type of person they are.

If the candidate spent the time doing volunteering work or helping neighbors and family, this is an admirable answer.

If the interviewees time was spent learning new skills, this is a great sign. Ask what skills and where did they acquire the new skills? Udemy, Skillshare, books, or something else.

If the candidate says watching Netflix and Youtube or gaming, that also tells you something.

Barry Moore: Founder Greatworklife.com

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Tell Me About A Difficult Situation You Had To Overcome

All companies ask behavioral questions. Although some doubt their value in predicting job performance, they are here to stay.

Despite the endless variations, they have become abstract and predictable. So much so, that candidates are advised to come prepared with a bunch of stories whether they are true or not that can fit any number of behavioral questions. More often than not, these stories are trotted out.

Alternative:Have you ever had to deal with a customer while having another one on the phone?

Since behavioral questions may be sometimes your best bet, why not focus on something specific? Dont let the candidates choose their difficult situation. Find an issue that you expect to happen often and ask if they have encountered it in the past. If they havent, you can turn to asking a situational question instead.

6. How many golf balls can you fit in a school bus?

The brainteaser family of questions was once a big deal at companies like Microsoft and Google. Many expressed doubts as to their effectiveness until Googles data showed they had no predictive ability for job performance. Whats more, they sometimes stressed and annoyed qualified candidates making it more likely for companies to miss out on talent. Many interviewers though, still use them since they may find it useful in assessing quick thinking and analytical ability.

Tell Me About A Goal You Set And Reached And How You Achieved It

Top 10 Questions YOU Want To Ask In a Job Interview | Indeed Career Tips

Its important to include behavioral interview questions during the interview so you can work out how candidates will respond in certain situations.

Either you can present candidates with a real-life scenario and ask them how they would handle it, or you can allow them to discuss how they have handled this situation in the past.

These questions give you an insight into their personality and skills and how well they work in a team and under pressure.

Here are some other behavioral interview questions to consider:

  • Tell me about a time you motivated a coworker or your team.
  • Tell me how you work under pressure.

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Ask If They Have Questions For You

A job candidate is interviewing you just as much as you are interviewing them, so you should not be the only one asking questions. A well-prepared candidate will have at least one question for you. The questions they ask can give you more insight into who the candidate is and how interested they are in the company.

You should allow time for the candidate to ask a question or two, Paul McDonald, senior executive director at Robert Half, told business.com. That shows how prepared they are, how curious they are and if they are a good cultural fit.

Do You Have The Proper Certification License Or Degree For This Position

While youve probably listed education or certification requirements in the job description its a good idea to verify that applicants actually have the necessary credentials they say they have on their resume.

For example, if youre hiring a delivery truck driver, its important to make sure they have the proper type of drivers license. If youre hiring a dental hygienist, youd want to make sure candidates have a degree in dental hygiene and are licensed within your state.

Also Check: How To Interview For Customer Service Job

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

Why Will You Succeed In This Position

7 Questions You Must Ask In Every Phone Interview

Some interviewers will come out and directly ask why you think youll be a success in this job. Dont be timid when answering this is your chance to show confidence and explain exactly how you can help them, and how your experience will be helpful to you in their job.

Heres more info on answering Why do you think you would do well in this job?

Recommended Reading: What Can I Ask In An Interview

What Is Your Organizations Remote Work Policy

Remote work has become more common in recent years, and many companies are offering more remote or hybrid positions. It can be worth clarifying what a companyâs remote policy is and whether the company offers any flexibility if, for example, your child falls sick or you want to spend time with family across the country. Even if the job requires you to be in an office, companies may allow employees to work remotely a few days out of the year.

Suppose youâre interviewing for a remote position. In that case, you can ask about how the company ensures remote workers feel included in company culture or if there are any opportunities to meet coworkers in person throughout the year.

Why Do You Want This Job

With this question, the employer wants to see that you have a real reason for wanting their particular job . This is important to them and you will not get hired if you cant show them why you want this specific job.

So your answer to this phone interview question should contain two key pieces:

  • What youre looking for in your job search overall
  • Something you noticed about their job that excites you or is a match for what you want
  • Now lets look at a full example for answering why did you apply for this particular position?

    Sample answer:

    One of the key things Im targeting in my job search right now is an opportunity to work more directly with customers and clients. I really enjoy that aspect of my work, but my last job took me a bit away from that. I saw on your job description that 50% of this job is interacting with clients, either on the phone or in person, and that excited me.

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    What Are You Looking For In Your Next Job

    This question sets the expectation…in terms of what this persons going to come in here and do for us and what they want to do for us, Smith says. Ideally, your goals and the roles should be aligned.

    Your answer also says a lot to an interviewer about whether or not youd be a good long-term hire. For example, you may be looking for a job where you can grow and move up in the next couple years, while this role leaves little room for mobility. Hashing this out now helps both you and the hiring manager avoid a less-than-ideal situation down the road.

    What Made You Leave

    How to Prepare for An Interview – The Best Pre-Interview Strategy | Indeed Career Tips

    A simple phone interview question which requires some level of thought and honesty.

    Whether a candidate replies with the answers money, progression or location, you can start to understand what makes that particular individual tick.

    Money and progression suggest that they are ambitious and hungry to succeed.

    Whereas location could either mean that they have trouble settling down in one place, or they simply prioritise the needs of their loved ones.

    Depending on the nature of the role will determine which of these answers is the more appropriate.

    However, if they start talking negatively about their previous employers, you may want to consider discarding this candidate as this suggests that they could be hard work in the future.

    It all depends on the situation but its all good info to know!

    Read Also: Questions To Ask Technical Interviewer

    More Common Phone Interview Questions

    Here are 30 more phone interview questions you may encounter:

  • Can you tell me a little about yourself?
  • Why do you want to work for our company?
  • Tell me about a time when you failed on the job. What happened, and how did you move forward?
  • Can you describe your ideal work environment?
  • Tell me about your greatest strength.
  • Where do you see yourself in five years?
  • Tell me why you feel you are a great match for this position.
  • What did you enjoy most about your last job?
  • Can you tell me about a time when you went above and beyond at work?
  • What did you enjoy least in your last job?
  • Which of your accomplishments are you proudest of and why?
  • What makes you stand out from other candidates?
  • Do you prefer working as part of a team or independently?
  • Can you walk me through your resume?
  • How would your last manager describe you as an employee? What about your coworkers?
  • Why are you searching for a position today?
  • Which of the companys values do you connect with most and why?
  • Describe your ideal work environment.
  • Which of your skills do you enjoy using the most?
  • Which past experience increases your odds of success in this job?
  • How would you provide value to the company?
  • In a team environment, what role do you usually play among your colleagues?
  • How did you find out about this position?
  • Do you know anyone who works at the company?
  • Which of our products or services do you like best?
  • What other positions have you interviewed for recently?
  • What did a typical day look like in your last job?
  • How To Prepare For A Phone Interview

    Sometimes, you dont know when youre going into the phone interview what type of interview it’s going to be, Smith says. This could be just a first-round screening call or it could be the only interview youll have. So its important to be well prepared for any scenario. Here are a few tips:

    • Research the company and position beforehand. Youve likely applied for a lot of jobs, and its understandable if you havent done all the research on every single position. But you should spend the time to look into the organization and understand what the open job entails ahead of a phone interview no matter how low stakes the conversation seems.

    Read Also: How To Schedule An Interview Over The Phone

    Questions You Need To Ask Candidates During A Telephone Interview

    Telephone interviews are an ideal way to narrow down your search for a perfect candidate and get an initial impression of whether they are a right fit for your business or not, without having to invite them into the office.

    Of course this means that phone interviews will also help you save valuable time as well.

    However, they do come with an array of challenges too.

    For example, you wont be able to assess a candidates body language during a phone interview.

    And portraying your business as a fun and exciting place to work will be hard when they cant see it or you in person.

    The key to a successful phone interview is simplicity.

    Adopt direct questions which enable you to get as much of the need-to-know information as quickly as possible and then, if theyre right for the job, invite them in for a more detailed discussion where youll see more of their personality and dig deeper into their skills.

    To help you get started, take a look at this quick list.

    What Type Of Work Environment Is Best For You

    7 Phone Interview Questions That Reveal Everything About A Candidate ...

    This phone interview question can help you identify whether or not your companys work environment offers the candidate what they need to be happy, productive and successful.

    Some professionals, for instance, prefer to work in an autonomous setting that offers remote work and flexible hours, while others prefer strict process and oversight in a traditional 9-to-5 job. If a candidate is seeking a role that offers a lot of collaboration and teamwork, they may be less motivated and interested in a role that requires them to work independently.

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    How To Conduct A Phone Screen Interview

    Phone screens are more effective when you have a specific interviewing process in place. Although it can get monotonous if you are conducting multiple screenings back-to-back, you should make the interviews as consistent as possible. Giving all candidates the same level of attention and asking them a uniform set of questions will help you get an apples-to-apples comparison for determining who should advance to the next round of interviews.

    Here are five steps to follow when conducting phone screen interviews:

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