Phone interviews are an excellent method to screen prospects, so it’s critical that you plan effective questions to ask at this stage of the recruiting process. In this post, we will discuss why it is necessary to prepare phone interview questions, discuss some of the different types of phone interview questions, present a list of 15 sample questions, and provide some guidelines to help you pick the best candidates during a phone interview.
What is the significance of preparing phone interview questions to ask candidates?
Preparing precise questions to ask applicants during a phone interview will guarantee that you are asking the questions that will provide you with the most information. Phone interviews are an excellent approach to screen prospects and speed up the recruiting process. Instead of scheduling an in-person interview, which takes more time and coordination for all parties involved, a 15-minute phone interview can be used to ensure that the applicant has reasonable salary expectations, meets the basic job requirements, and understands the demands of the position they have applied for.
Different types of phone interview questions
Before doing a phone interview, examine the types of questions and categorise your talking points accordingly, starting with the simplest and working your way up to the most complicated. The following are the three primary categories of phone interview questions:
General inquiries: These are the types of questions that are commonly asked during phone interviews.
Behavioral questions: These questions focus on particular events from a candidate’s previous job experience. They enable you to have a better understanding of how they react and behave in various scenarios.
Situational interview questions: Situational interview questions may be particularly helpful for assessing a candidate’s mental process and behaviours in specific settings. Using this strategy, you explain a real or hypothetical event and then ask the candidate how they would react to it.
15 questions to ask applicants during phone interviews
The questions in the phone interview may not differ significantly from those in a regular in-person interview. However, the complexity of the questions will be expanded in a follow-up interview after speaking. Here are some good questions to ask applicants during a phone interview:
Who would you invite to supper if you could invite three notable persons from history, and why?
What kind of comments have you gotten that was tough to hear but ultimately beneficial?
Why do you wish to quit your current position?
Tell me about one of the most difficult problems you’ve encountered in your present role.
What aspect of your performance or professional abilities do you wish to improve?
What is the most valuable skill you’ve acquired in your present position?
Would you rather accomplish something on time and clumsily than late and perfectly?
Tell me anything interesting about yourself that isn’t on your CV.
Describe your working style in detail.
What compelled you to apply for this position?
Please tell me about yourself.
What experience and skills do you possess that will help you succeed in this position?
What type of work environment do you favour and excel in?
What do you do in your spare time while you’re not at work?
Have you got any queries for me?
1. If you could have supper with three notable persons from history, who would you select and why?
This question can provide insight into who a candidate finds inspirational, as well as useful information about the qualities they value the most. An excellent response would include a list of significant personalities as well as reasoning for their selections. You should look for how the individuals and their ideologies have inspired the applicant both personally and professionally, rather than just the explanation.
2. What difficult-to-hear but ultimately beneficial comments have you received?
Employees who are truly successful are open to receiving harsh criticism and can turn it into a learning experience. Look for a response that is nonjudgmental and honest about the candidate’s comments and focuses on how it helped them develop.
3. What motivates you to quit your current position?
If a prospect is dissatisfied with their present employment, you’ll want to know why so you can determine if the position and your organisation can meet that need. You’ll also notice that a person’s response to this question reveals a lot about their personality. Look for an answer that demonstrates a willingness to pursue a passion or locate a more difficult employment.
4. Tell me about one of the most difficult problems you’ve encountered in your present role.
Candidates should be able to demonstrate empathy as well as effective and efficient problem-solving abilities while answering this question during a phone interview. Look for an answer that focuses on finding a solution that is good to both parties.
5. What aspect of your performance or professional abilities do you wish to improve?
An flexible and ambitious applicant will describe their skill level and accept that there is still room for improvement. These people are often receptive to learning and eager to take criticism. You might ask follow-up questions if a candidate’s response leaves you wondering whether their talents are strong enough for the post.
6. What is the most crucial skill you’ve picked up in your present position?
Even if a candidate’s capabilities are already included on their résumé, a question like this might provide context and insight into their abilities. Hearing a person speak about themselves, especially in regard to the specific role, will offer clarity on who the individual is and what they are capable of.
7. Do you prefer to do something on time and clumsily, or late and perfectly?
With this question, you’re searching for more than an ideal answer; you’re attempting to assess a person’s decision-making abilities, priorities, and self-assurance. Look for a candidate who gives a clear answer backed up by logical argument.
8. Tell me anything interesting about yourself that isn’t on your CV.
By asking this question, you are indicating that you are interested in the individual and are aware that they exist beyond a CV. This question also encourages the candidate to refrain from depending on their résumé to influence their responses. This question, whether asked at the start or midway during a phone interview, may reveal the interviewee’s interests and greatest abilities.
9. Explain your working style.
Different jobs necessitate different work styles. If a candidate expresses a preference for working alone yet the function necessitates a great deal of teamwork, they may not be the greatest option for the job. While appearing adaptive and enthusiastic may make you appear more adaptable to diverse job situations, make sure you answer the question honestly.
10. What inspired you to apply for this position?
This is an excellent question to ask during a phone interview since it helps you to determine whether or not the prospect fully understands the position. It also allows you to measure an applicant’s interest in your organisation. Be wary of responses that focus on the secondary perks of working at your organisation rather than the activities associated with the position.
11. Please tell me about yourself.
This generic interview question serves several purposes. For starters, it helps the applicant to relax a little because they are likely to be asked this sort of question. Second, qualified candidates are given the chance to discuss their relevant abilities and expertise. Look for an answer that integrates terms from the job description since it indicates a candidate who is prepared for the interview and understands the responsibilities of the role.
12. What experience and skills do you possess that will help you succeed in this position?
The response to this question will reveal whether or not the candidate read the job description prior to the phone interview. An successful response would provide concrete instances of how they have applied their knowledge and experience to generate quantifiable, meaningful results.
13. What type of work atmosphere do you favour and excel in?
While it may be about applicable skills at the end of the day, your applicant should be well fitted to the setting in order to succeed. This question helps you to assess the type of worker a candidate is and if they are a good fit for the working environment at your organisation.
14. What do you do in your spare time?
Finding out how someone spends their leisure time may teach you a lot about them. By asking this question during a phone interview, you will acquire a deeper understanding of the prospect and whether or not they would fit in with your team.
15. Do you have any follow-up questions for me?
Allowing applicants to ask their own questions demonstrates their thoughtfulness and preparation for the phone interview. Seek out questions that are thought-provoking, one-of-a-kind, and analytical.
