January 31

Phone Interview Tips – #33: Typical Phone Interview Questions

Finding a Job, Getting Hired, Job Interview Advice, Job Interview Preparation, Job Interview Questions and Answers, Job Interview Skills, Job Search, Job Search Success, Job Search Tips, Jobseekers, Phone Interview Questions, Phone Interview Tips, Phone Interviews

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Phone Interview Tips Series

Table of Contents

Phone Interview Tips 1-10
  1. Phone Interview Tip #1 -- Check Your Voicemail Greeting

  2. Phone Interview Tip #2 -- The Best Time to Set Up Your Call

  3. Phone Interview Tip #3 -- Where’s the Best Place for a Phone Interview?

  4. Phone Interview Tip #4 -- How To Keep Your Focus

  5. Phone Interview Tip #5 -- How to Build Your Confidence

  6. Phone Interview Tip #6 -- How to Project Enthusiasm

  7. Phone Interview Tip #7 -- Use Cheat Sheets

  8. Phone Interview Tip #8 -- Research the Interviewer

  9. Phone Interview Tip #9 -- Research the Company

  10. Phone Interview Tip #10 -- Prepare Answers to Common Phone Interview Questions

Phone Interview Tips 11-20
  1. Phone Interview Tip #11 -- Practice Your Phone Interview

  2. Phone Interview Tip #12 -- How to Hit Your Phone Interview Goals

  3. Phone Interview Tip #13 -- The Best Phone for Your Interview

  4. Phone Interview Tip #14 -- Your Phone Interview Voice

  5. Phone Interview Tip #15 -- How to Give the Interviewer What They’re Looking For

  6. Phone Interview Tip #16 -- How to Project the Right Image Over the Phone

  7. Phone Interview Tip #17 -- Help Them Qualify You for the Face-to-Face Interview

  8. Phone Interview Tip #18 -- Speak the Right Body Language (Yes, Even On the Phone)

  9. Phone Interview Tip #19 -- Secret Tricks to Phone Interview Success

  10. Phone Interview Tip #20 -- Ask Questions

Phone Interview Tips 21-30
  1. Phone Interview Tip #21 -- How to Listen Well

  2. Phone Interview Tip #22 -- Don’t Talk Too Much

  3. Phone Interview Tip #23 -- Watch Your Language

  4. Phone Interview Tip #24 -- Phone Interview Etiquette

  5. Phone Interview Tip #25 -- Getting the Face-to-Face Interview

  6. Phone Interview Tip #26 -- How and When to Follow Up

  7. Phone Interview Tip #27 -- Biggest Phone Interview Mistakes

  8. Phone Interview Tip #28 -- Small Phone Interview Mistakes That Cause Big Problems

  9. Phone Interview Tip #29 -- Things You Should Never Say

  10. Phone Interview Tip #30 -- Make a Phone Interview Checklist

Phone Interview Tips 31-37
  1. Phone Interview Tip #31 -- Relax, Be Calm, and Make a Good Impression

  2. Phone Interview Tip #32 -- Good Telephone Communication Tips

  3. Phone Interview Tip #33 -- Typical Phone Interview Questions

  4. Phone Interview Tip #34 -- Thank You Notes

  5. Phone Interview Tip #35 -- The One Question You Should Ask

  6. Phone Interview Tip #36 -- How to Keep Them From Screening You Out

  7. Phone Interview Tip #37 -- How to Prepare for a Phone Interview

Click to expand question sets, then click individual questions to read the article.

Here’s a secret:  There’s really only so many interview questions they can ask you.  Some hiring managers like to break out of the rut and ask crazy things to catch you off guard, like “What kind of tree would you be?”, but most of the time they tend to ask the same kinds of questions.  There’s just basic information that they all need to know in order to make the decision to hire you.

Tell me about yourself.  Interviewers love to start with this question, because it lets them wade in slowly.  Do not let the open-endedness of this question trip you up.  The wrong way to answer this is with personal information: “I’m from Ohio and I’m a huge NASCAR fan.”  This is not social; this is business.  Answer it appropriately:  “I have a degree in X, I have 5 years of experience in Y, and I am great at Z.”  X, Y, and Z should all be things that help sell your fit for this job. What you need to know is what questions they’re most likely to ask you so you can be ready to answer them.  What are the most typical phone interview questions?

  1. Phone-Man - Copy (2)Why are you interested in this job?  I know….you need a job for little things like food and shelter.  Meanwhile, they’re wondering “Does he really like us, or is it only the money?”  They want to know how interested and serious you are before they go to the trouble of bringing you in for an hour of in-person interviewing.  Your answer should always be along the lines of, “This job is a great fit for me because of ABC.”  If you can throw in something positive about why you’d enjoy working for that particular company, that would be good, too.
  2. Why are you leaving your current job?  The question behind this question is:  Is there something wrong with you? Was there a problem?  Because if they hire you, then it’s going to be their problem.  Say something like, “I’ve enjoyed my time there, but I’m ready to use my skills in a more challenging role.”  Whatever you say, keep it positive and make it clear that you’re not running away from your old job, you’re running TO this one.

When answering all job interview questions, keep your answers focused on the positive.  Talk up your strengths every time you can so that you sell yourself for the job.

For more job interview questions and answers, check out our blog series, How to Answer Interview Questions.

 

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