Phone Interview Preparation

Just as it sounds, phone interviews are interviews conducted via telephone. This type of interview usually lasts between 10–30 minutes, during which are asked a series of questions. Typically, if the phone interview goes well, then interviewers or employers will ask you to take a pre-hire assessment, come in for a formal interview, or attend an assessment day.

Although seemingly easy, phone interviews can be challenging due to their unique attributes. Phone interviews can feel impersonal because you do not get the chance to see or shake hands with your interviewer. However, you are still able to introduce yourself, provide background and job experience, etc., all while being polite and cordial, just as you would during an in-person interview. 

Another issue you may encounter is technical problems. To avoid this, simply check your equipment a day before the call. This way, in case something is not working, you can try to fix it with ample time. Be sure to check the equipment again before the phone call to be reassured that everything is working just fine.

While you might not think you can prepare for phone interviews, you can. By simply runnning through mock questions, you will have a chance to formulate stronger and more effective answers. Additionally, by practicing ahead of time, you will help alleviate interview stress and anxiety. 

JobTestPrep's Interview PrepPack™ has a plethora of interview questions, customized for a variety of professions and job levels. Our PrePack™ allows you to select the questions that are right for your circumstances, practice the selected interview questions, and analyze your answers. This enables you to strengthen your interview answers and ensure that your interview goes as smoothly and successfully as possible.

Typically, phone interview questions are relatively straightforward and don't require too much detail or in-depth answers. Listed below are just a few basic phone interview questions that you may encounter.

• What is your availability?
• What are your salary requirements?
• What is your experience?
• What do you know about the job position's duties and responsibilities?
• What do you know about the company?
• Why do you want to work for this company?

• Cut out all distractions – Just as you're going to want to hear interviewers, interviewers are going to want to hear you. Be sure to have a dedicated quite space and be present during the conversation, as this is one of the first impressions you will make on interviewers.
• Research the company and job position you are applying to – You want to impress the interviewer and let him or her know you did the research and "arrived" prepared. By showing that you took the initiative, you will not only put your best foot forward, but you will also be able to delve deeper into the position and company details during the interview.
• Take notes and have your CV and resume in front of you – The interviewer is going to ask about your qualifications and experiences drawn from your resume or CV, so it is best to have a copy on hand so you can reference it as need be. Additionally, if the interviewer mentions important information or gives you a number, an email address, or a way to proceed with the hiring process, you'll want to write it down so you don’t forget the details later.
• Listen to the interviewer and focus on what he or she is asking you – You don’t want to appear rude by cutting the interviewer off, so be sure to listen to the entire question and give yourself a second before replying in case the interviewer expands upon his or her question, or in case you need a minute to formulate your answer. Additionally, be sure to answer the question directly. You don’t want to start trailing off on irrelevant information or stories.
• Be aware of how you answer questions – As this interview is conducted over the phone, you want to be sure you aren't speaking too loudly or too softly. In addition, be sure not to trail off with words like "so, yeah" or "that's it". Once you are done answering the question, wait for the interviewer's response or next question.
• Ask about the next step – As this is probably the first interview, you will want to make sure to take the initiative to ensure you have another by asking what the next step is or if the employer needs anything else from you (paperwork or other details). Finally, be sure to thank the interviewer for his or her time.

JobTestPrep offers an Interview PrepPack™ that is designed to help you ace an interview and bring you one step closer to the job you're after. We provide you the tools to pick relevant interview questions and assess your overall interview skills, thus giving you the chance to thoroughly improve as well as highlight your strengths. Start preparing today to ensure your success.