Best Career Advice to Take A Phone Interview with Confidence

by Kelsey Arrington on Feb 09, 2023

Phone interviews can be an important part of the hiring process. And while phone interviews offer a good opportunity to highlight your skills and professional qualifications; they are also incredibly nerve-wracking. So, whether you are an experienced pro in your field, or you’re stepping into the work force for the first time; it’s crucial to be well-prepared when speaking to a potential employer! If you’re not sure how to get prepared, don’t fret! In this article, we’ll review the best practices for taking a phone interview and provide tips to help you stand out from the crowd of candidates. 

In this post:

• Essential Tips to Ace A Phone Interview
• General Phone Interview Questions Candidates May Encounter
• Insightful Questions to Ask A Prospective Employer During A Phone Interview 

Essential Tips to Ace A Phone Interview

Most folks have attended a face-to-face interview at some point in their lives. And while those can certainly be challenging, they are a breeze compared to phone interviews – where your professional tone and communication skills take center stage. But, luckily for you, Authentic Jobs is here to help. Below, we’ve included a list of tips to help you speak confidently during your next phone interview.

Research the company thoroughly.

Before you pick up a call from your prospective employer, it’s important to be familiar with the company and the job position you’re applying for. But, don’t just scan the company site for a few details. Instead, look for information on the company culture. Check social media profiles and search for news stories that may involve your prospective employer. And while this may seem excessive, remember it is always better to be prepared and well-informed. Take note of anything you want to ask during the interview process.

Try to stay calm.

While phone interviews may evoke a sense of anxiety for many people, you can survive them! Try your best to feel calm by taking deep breaths and thinking positively. Remember, the interviewer is just another human being. So, simply breathe and use a conversational tone to explain the details of your resume. 

Practice active listening skills.

While talking is a big component of a phone interview, so is listening. So, remember to listen carefully to what the interviewer says and refer back to their talking points while answering questions. 

Talk slowly.

When some folks are nervous, they have a tendency to talk fast. However, we advise against it! After all, a phone interview is a test of your communication skills. And your interviewer certainly won’t be impressed if they can’t understand you. So, do your best to speak confidently, clearly, and at a moderate pace.

Focus on your strengths.

Before the interview process begins, take time to do reflect on your resume and identify your strengths. Figure out what makes you unique and what value you can add to the roles you are applying for. Thinking about this beforehand will come in handy when speaking with hiring managers.

Keep your resume and cover letter handy.

While you can certainly rely on memory to recall the details of your professional life, it might help to keep a copy of your resume and cover letter handy. That way, you can quickly scan it and refer back to specific work experiences as needed. 

Prepare questions to ask your prospective employer.

There’s no doubt that practice answering common interview questions is important. However, don’t neglect the importance of preparing questions to ask the interviewer as well. Do you need help coming up with questions? Keep scrolling to find a list of thoughtful questions to ask employers or refer back to our previous post. 

General Phone Interview Questions Candidates May Encounter

While the phone interview process comes with its own unique set of challenges, you may encounter a few questions that you’ve heard in an in-person or video interview. And while you may be familiar with the questions the interviewer asks, you should still take time to prepare answers before the call begins. 

Here are some phone interview questions you should always prepare to answer:

• How would you describe yourself?
• What made you interested in this job position?
• What are your greatest weaknesses?
• Describe your long-term career goals.
• What are your greatest strengths?
• Can you walk us through your resume and highlight your previous experiences that are relevant to this role?
• How well can you handle challenging projects with competing deadlines?
• Why are you interested in working for this company?
• Can you describe a time when you had to deal with conflict in the workplace?
• Describe a situation where you demonstrated leadership.
• How well do you adapt to change in the workplace?
• What are your salary expectations?
• How flexible are you with your schedule?

Insightful Questions to Ask A Prospective Employer During A Phone Interview

Remember, while the primary focus is on the candidate, interviews are about seeing if the role is a good fit for everyone. That means that both you and the interviewer are allowed to ask questions. So, don’t skip out on the opportunity to pick the interviewers brain about the position. 

• I was wondering, what are the day-to-day responsibilities of this role?
• What goals have been established for the person in this position to achieve in the next six to twelve months?
• Can you describe the company culture and the tpye of personalities that would be a good fit for this job?
• Can you identify the opportunities for growth within the company?
• What are the biggest challenges the company is currently working to overcome? 
• Can you tell me about the company’s plans for the future?
• How does this department support a healthy work-life balance?
• When should I expect to hear back about the next round of interviews?
• What are the next steps?
• Can you describe a company project or initiative that I could be involved in if hired?
• What do you enjoy most about working for this company?