Learn how to answer the most common phone interview questions

Most job seekers are familiar with the standard job search process: you locate an open position, submit your resume, show up for an interview, and hopefully land the job. In some instances, however, you may need to participate in multiple interviews, including an initial phone interview. To succeed in your job search, you should be prepared to answer the most common phone interview questions.

Why do employers and recruiters incorporate phone interviews into their hiring process?
What are the most common phone interview questions?
How do you answer them?
What’s the best way to prepare for a phone interview?

What is the purpose of a phone interview?

It’s important to understand why job recruiters and hiring managers conduct phone interviews. In most cases, these interviews are designed to screen candidates to save time for the hiring manager and their team. The goal is to assess each job seeker’s qualifications, determine their interest in the position, and identify the best possible candidates for the in-person interviews.

Most common phone interview questions and answers

You may be wondering about the types of questions recruiters and hiring managers routinely ask during these phone interviews. After all, it’s difficult to prepare for an interview when you don’t know what to expect.

The best way to prepare answers to the most common phone interview questions the right way is by seeing examples of great answers.

1. “Tell me a little about yourself”

“I’m a data-driven Marketing professional with proven success in market expansion, customer engagement strategies, and consistent revenue growth. For the last seven years, I’ve spearheaded teams that have produced tens of millions of dollars in profit for our company and clients. If hired, I’m confident that my ability to identify and leverage market trends and opportunities can provide similar benefits to this firm.”

2. “Why are you interested in this position?”

“This company and position are a great fit for my work style, goals, and skill set. Your focus on a customer-centric approach to profitability aligns perfectly with my own commitment to providing value in everything I do. In addition, I’m drawn to the company’s dedication to innovation and am confident that my experience as a creative problem-solver can provide real value to this team.”

3. “How much do you know about this job?”

To prepare for this question, you need to review the job description, company website, and any other resources. Your answer should explain what you’ve learned about the role’s expectations. For example:

“My understanding of the job description is that you’re looking for a competent Marketing Director with experience in project management, marketing strategy, branding, customer acquisition, campaign design and execution, and team leadership. Are there any specific skills or experiences that you’d like to see in your ideal candidate for the position?

4. “Why did you leave your last job?”

“I thoroughly appreciate my time with Dynamic Corp and feel like we accomplished a lot together – doubling the firm’s revenues and dramatically increasing its customer base. However, my time at the company had already been extended one year beyond my initial contract, and I’d pretty much hit a plateau for skill development. When I heard about this position, I immediately recognized that it offered an opportunity for new challenges.”

5. “Tell me about your greatest weakness.”

“One of the things I’ve been working on in recent years is my tendency to get tunnel vision when I’m working on something that’s been identified as a priority. I recognize that it can sometimes make it a challenge for me to balance my responsibilities, so I’ve developed a system to help me regulate my daily tasks.”

6. “What are your greatest strengths?”

“My greatest strength as a Marketing professional is my ability to connect with people. Those interpersonal skills help me identify others’ needs, whether they’re clients, colleagues, subordinates, or superiors so that I can find and communicate solutions that meet their expectations. Other strengths include my ability to maintain high levels of efficiency and reliability for myself and my team.”

7. “What makes you the best candidate for this position?”

“I’m confident that my unique experience and robust skill set are ideally suited for this role. With more than five years of experience in similar roles and a proven track record of success, I’m certain that I can quickly and seamlessly mesh with your existing team and make an immediate impact on productivity, efficiency, and profitability.”

8. “What type of salary would you need?”

“Of course, I am flexible about salary and compensation and would love to discuss that in greater detail. Given my previous level of experience and demonstrated capabilities, I believe that a total salary in the range of $65,000 to $75,000 would be suitable for this position.”

9. “What do you know about our company?”

“I’ve followed industry news about your company for some time and have been most impressed by your consistent innovation – the way you’ve adapted to new market trends without sacrificing your focus on customer satisfaction and product quality. The company has earned a reputation for excellence in the industry, and I would be proud to be a part of that!”

10. “Where do you see yourself in five years?”

“Ideally, I hope to be in a supervisory role, helping to motivate and lead the next generation of superstar employees as we expand the company’s horizons. Those five years, combined with my three years of prior supervisory experience, should ensure that I’m well-equipped to take on those additional responsibilities and increase my contributions to this firm’s operational and financial success.”

11. “Tell me about a time when…”

When interviewers ask these types of questions, they’re looking for solid examples of how you add value to your job. One of the best ways to answer this question is to use the STAR method to tell a brief story. Describe a situation and challenge that you need to overcome, explain the task you were assigned to perform, and talk about the results of the actions you took.

12. “What motivates you to succeed?”

“I’m motivated by a driving need to improve myself and my performance. That’s inspired me to commit to continuous learning and skill development so that I can keep pace with an ever-changing industry and economy. As I grow and develop with each passing year, I am excited to see how my advancement translates into positive results and success for my team and employers.”

13. “Can you elaborate on [something you included in your resume]?”

When you sit down for any phone interview, make sure you have a copy of your resume in front of you. Sometimes, interviewers may ask you questions related to things in your resume, and you will want to refer to that document to refresh your memory.

When answering questions about your skills, experiences, or achievements, try to be brief and concise to help keep the conversation flowing.

“I’m glad you asked about that period in my life. During my time at ABC Co., I was proud to be recognized as the employee of the month seven times in my first two years on the job. My experience in that role helped give me the opportunity to develop the communication and team management skills that I will use in this job should you decide to choose me for the position.”

14. “What’s your greatest accomplishment?”

“I’ve enjoyed many achievements during my career, but my proudest accomplishment was my role in helping Dynamic Machines through its 2023 merger with Alpha Corp. I was assigned the task of integrating the two firms’ employees and processes – a massive undertaking that took eight months to complete.

When we were done with that process, we managed to minimize employee loss, reduce total expenses by 17%, and lay the foundation for sustainable future success. As you probably know, the new company managed to earn a profit in its very first year.”

15. “When would you be available to start?”

To answer this question, just be honest. If you need to provide your current employer with notice, say so.

“My current employer would probably appreciate receiving a couple of weeks’ notice so that they can get a replacement up to speed. I should be available any time after two weeks, though. How soon would you need me?”

How to prepare for a phone interview

Of course, there’s more to preparing for these common initial phone interview questions than simply familiarizing yourself with sample answers. It’s a good idea to do some homework beforehand to ensure you’re ready for your phone interview and make the best possible impression on recruiters and hiring managers.

Do your research

Never try to do a phone interview without doing some legwork before the call. Take time to thoroughly research the company and the open position by reviewing the firm’s website, the job description, and any recent news reports about the company’s activities. The more you know about the company and the job you’re seeking, the more comfortable you’ll be during any question-and-answer session.

Demonstrate how your skills match the role’s requirements

If you tailored your resume to fit this position, then you should have a good idea about how your skills and experience align with the job’s requirements. Make a list of those skills, achievements, and other qualifications so you can emphasize them as you answer the most common phone interview questions. That will help you demonstrate that you’re the right person for the job.

Keep your notes nearby

Feel free to keep your resume, work history, and other helpful notes right next to you as you field those phone interview questions. You should also have a copy of the job posting and role description with you, as well as any other notes you’ve compiled to help you organize your thoughts.

Practice answering the questions before the interview

Don’t forget to practice your answers before you participate in that phone interview. Most people don’t spend a great deal of time speaking on the phone unless it’s with friends and family – so it’s important to practice your interview to help you get rid of any potential nerves or anxiety.

Find a friend or family member who’s willing to ask you a set of potential phone interview questions. This way you can conduct a sort of mock interview.

Record your responses so that you can get a better idea of what you sound like on the other end of the phone.
Pay attention to your tone of voice, your ability to properly enunciate, and the speed of your responses.

By reviewing your performance, you can identify potential problems in your delivery and work to improve your performance.

Expert Tip

You don’t technically need to have another person ask the questions. You can simply record yourself as you answer the most common phone interview questions and then analyze your responses.

Ace your phone interview with proper preparation!

It may not be true that practice makes perfect, but there’s no denying that practice can make you better at almost anything in life. That’s especially true when it comes to dealing with the most common phone interview questions. By knowing which questions to expect and the best way to answer them, you can increase your odds of acing your phone interview and moving on to the next stage of the hiring process.

Need more help answering the most common phone interview questions or assistance with creating a resume that can help you land that call? To get the help you need, start by receiving your free resume review from our team of experts!

Most Common Phone Interview Questions and How to Answer Them