Top Phone Interview Questions with Example Answers

Telephone interviews have been used more due to social distancing restrictions since the COVID-19 pandemic, but beyond the end of the pandemic they will still be a common part of the interview process, especially during the early stages.

Phone interview questions are often used as a way to screen out unsuitable candidates, in order to cut down the shortlist to a manageable number of face-to-face interviews.

A lot of the most common telephone interview questions are quite general - and quite predictable - so it's worth preparing some answers in advance, so that you're ready whenever your phone rings.

In this article we'll look at some of the top phone interview questions and give some example answers of how to answer them, to keep your name on the shortlist for round two.

Related: How To Prepare For A Phone Interview

Telephone interviews vs. video interviews

Voice calls and video calls both allow job interviews to take place over long distances. That has had obvious advantages in 2020, but even when there is no pandemic taking place, remote interviews are beneficial:

A lot of the questions are the same whether the call is video or voice-only, so the example answers below should apply equally to both.

Just remember that your physical appearance matters too for a remote interview via webcam or video - so be sure to make yourself presentable if you know the interviewer will be able to see you.

Related: How To Ace Your Video Interview

Most Common Phone Interview Questions and Answers

Let's get on to the examples. Here are some of the top phone interview Q&As. Prepare answers to these and you'll be well on your way to fielding the interviewer's questions in any early-stage interview or screening call.

Give special thought to questions that appear to have quite limited scope. You should avoid giving a one-word 'yes' or 'no' answer unless the question is very specific, such as whether you have a driving licence or the relevant work permit.

In all other cases, aim to give a concise answer, but one that goes into a degree of detail about yourself, so you can make the most persuasive case for why the interviewer should call you back for a second meeting, or offer you the job outright.

Here are the most common phone interview questions:

Tell me a little about yourself

This is a common first question for telephone interviews. It's a chance to break the ice, and a way for you to make a first impression on an interviewer who can't see you face-to-face.

Even in face-to-face interviews you will often be asked this. Prepare a positive answer. Even if you feel awkward talking about yourself, there's no avoiding the question, so overcome those self-conscious instincts and choose 2-3 positive character traits to talk about.

Example: "While at university I discovered a real passion for ... and have worked hard to gain the skills and experience I needed. In my previous/current role I am responsible for ... and enjoy working with my team to deliver and exceed expectations. I'm ready to progress to the next stage of my career, and think I would bring a lot to this role."

Why do you want this job?

This is another obvious question, so be ready for it. Try to avoid overly material answers - of course you want to earn some money, but why this job and not another one?

It's good to talk about interests that are relevant to the position, or how the job suits you better than your previous employment. You can mention ambitions for the future too, if you think the job will give you the experience and learning opportunities you need.

Example: "In past roles I have particularly enjoyed ... and ... but was not able to spend as much time on those parts of my job as I would have liked. This position is a really good fit for my abilities and my interests, and I'm ready to make the move."

Why did you apply for this position?

This is only subtly different from the previous question, but its scope is more specific. It's a way to test whether you have read and remembered the job description, and whether you are a good match for it.

Bring up specific duties or characteristics from the job profile, and say why you think you fit the role well. Interviewers will want to know you are highly engaged and chose the role specifically, rather than just applying for every vacancy you could find.

Example: "I understand you are looking for a candidate who can bring ... and ... to the table. I've worked in similar roles in the past, where I was responsible for ... and was able to deliver to a very high standard. I think I would excel in this position, based on my past knowledge and experience of working in this discipline."

Why do you want to work here?

This again is a subtle, more specific version of 'Why do you want this job?' In this case, it relates to the company, rather than the job itself. Interviewers will want to know you have researched the company, so make sure you are ready with a relevant fact.

'About Us' pages and press releases are a good starting point, where you can usually pick up some information about the company's culture and any social responsibility pledges. Bring it back around to yourself, your career ambitions, and the kind of company you would like to work for.

Example: "I have always wanted to work for a company that values its customers/employees/environmental commitments. I can see from your press releases/website that you really care, and I'd like to be a part of that kind of company ethos."

Why are you looking for a new job?

This can be an awkward question to answer, but be honest and positive. People are made redundant all the time, so don't be ashamed to say you've been let go - just make clear that it was an economic decision by your employer, and not a result of disciplinary action.

Try to avoid being overly personal. Interviewers will be looking for red flags, such as any major disputes you've had with past employers. Instead, focus on career progression and moving on to the next stage of your employment journey.

Example: "I have loved working for my current employer, but there are few opportunities left to progress. I have already been promoted several times and would like to move on to my next challenge. I have discovered a real passion for ... and this job looks like a perfect fit for everything I'm looking for. I know I could contribute a lot to your company."

What are your salary expectations?

Ideally when applying for a job, you'll know the salary on offer from the advertisement or job description; however, that doesn't mean your answer has to be a cash amount.

Think about what the salary means to you, including any intangible benefits like improved quality of life due to a shorter commute, so that you can give a full answer to the question that reflects all the different ways in which the job will be rewarding for you.

Example: "I know the advertised range is £xxx to £xxx and with my skills, qualifications and experience, I feel I would be around the £xxx mark. I'm willing to put in extra effort in order to earn pay rises and performance-related bonuses, but taking into account all aspects of the role, I would be comfortable with the salary advertised."

Which one attribute would most help you to excel in this role?

This question is testing two different things: firstly, and most obviously, the interviewer wants to know that you are able to recognise your own strengths and that you have the required character traits to perform well in the job you are applying for.

Secondly, and more subtly, the question asks for only one attribute. It's important to have attention to detail, so you should expect to only provide one personal characteristic about yourself in your answer. If you feel strongly that you need to mention more of your traits, make clear that you understood the question but have chosen to broaden your reply.

Example: "I have excellent organisational skills that would allow me to perform well in this role, despite the need to manage multiple projects at any one time. However, that is not the only attribute I can offer. I also communicate well with others, and think fast in a crisis, so I can get projects quickly back on track if any problems occur."

How to prepare for a telephone interview

If you know you will be asked to have a telephone interview - or you have already been asked and have some time to prepare - then it's worth spending some time tailoring your answers to the particular role and company you have applied for.

The more specific your answers, the better your chances of coming across as enthusiastic, diligent and engaged. If you show you put the effort into a first-stage interview, then you show that you're the kind of person who will put effort into their job too.

Remember to check if the interview will be a voice or video call. You don't want to find yourself on-screen in casual clothes. At the same time, interviewers might not expect you to wear full business attire for a video interview from home.

Try to at least meet their expectations, perhaps slightly exceed them, but think carefully about whether it's necessary to wear a full shirt, suit and tie combination for a job interview via webcam.

Related: How to Prepare For an Interview

How long should a phone interview last?

Phone interviews can vary a lot. Some interviewers will keep it quite brief, especially if they're trying to screen a large number of candidates. Make your time count, if you know the recruiter has only scheduled a 10-15 minute call.

Some telephone interviews will be longer. By the time you've said hello and made it past the small talk and introductions, it's easy to already be 5 minutes into the call. Overall, it's likely you'll be on the phone for at least 20-30 minutes even for a basic interview.

If the interviewer wants to go more in-depth, for example if they are using telephone interviews as a full substitute for in-person interviews, the call could quite reasonably last anywhere up to 40-60 minutes.

Part of this is your own responsibility. Try to avoid waffling or listing lots of generalisations. Keep your answers concise and specific. Unless there's good reason to list lots of attributes in a single answer, try to stick to 2-3 of your best qualities. The interviewer can always ask for more details if they're interested.

How to end a phone interview

Ending a phone interview is like ending any other job interview. You'll probably be asked if you have any questions - try to have at least one prepared. It's good to ask for more information about the company's culture and what it's like to work there, or some aspect of the job that you're genuinely interested in learning more about.

Be confident at the end of the call. Always remember to thank the interviewer for their time. It's OK to ask general questions about the interview process itself, such as how many more calls the interviewer has to make, or what format the next round of interviews will take.

Forward-thinking is good: "I look forward to hearing from you." End on a positive note, try not to drag out the goodbyes, and hang up the call when it's appropriate to do so.

Telephone interviews are nothing to be afraid of. In fact, a lot of people grow to prefer them. You have a lot of control and the process often stays more focused on the interviewer's questions and the answers you have prepared for them - so make it count, and land yourself that second-round face-to-face interview, or potentially even an immediate job offer.
Related:12 Things to Never Do During A Phone Interview