Anyone searching for a job knows that to get an actual interview, you usually have to make it past the phone screen first. Whether the recruiter is calling or you’re starting it off with a hiring manager, the phone interview is the gateway, and how you perform will determine whether or not you get to go through those gates (and get one step closer to a job offer).
Phone screen interviews are interesting because they can sometimes feel a little less formal, especially when talking to a friendly recruiter and not the actual hiring manager for the position. Because of this, it’s easy to slip into the mindset that you can show up less prepared or let your guard down a little bit, but that would be a mistake. Every interview is equally important for getting a job, and if you don’t take the phone screen seriously, you could spoil your chances of landing a job before you even get your foot in the door.
So, when a recruiter gets in touch with you to schedule a phone screen, the best thing you can do is do your research, get prepared, and show up ready to rock it and move forward in the process.
What To Expect in a Phone Screen Interview
The reason a phone screen interview often feels so informal is that it’s a lot more information than when you’re meeting with the hiring manager, team, and other people in leadership. Typically, in a phone screen interview, a recruiter will call to tell you a little bit more about the position and will ask you questions to see if you seem as good in person as you do on paper (after all, it was your resume that impressed them, first).
During a phone screen interview, recruiters commonly ask more surface-level questions. This is because it is their job to determine if you’re a good possible candidate, not necessarily the perfect candidate. A recruiter is an expert at what they do, which is sourcing talent, so while they will have a general understanding of a position they’re trying to fill, they’re most likely not going to know the technical details that go into doing the job well. During a phone screen interview, recruiters commonly ask more surface-level questions. This is because it is their job to determine if you’re a good possible candidate, not necessarily the perfect candidate.
They’re using this interview as an opportunity to ensure you check all of the boxes necessary for them to pass your resume on to the hiring manager. They’re like a human talent management system, and their job is to ask pointed questions to help them filter out any applicants that the algorithm missed.
Questions a Recruiter Might Ask in a Phone Screen Interview
- Will you tell me a little about yourself?
- Can you walk me through your resume?
- How did you hear about the company/this role?
- Why are you looking for a new job?
- What makes you interested in this job?
- Are you currently in the process of interviewing for other jobs?
- What are some of your responsibilities in your current role?
- Do you have any other relevant experience?
- What are your salary expectations?
- Are you willing to relocate?
- This job requires travel, is that something you’re comfortable with?
- If you are offered the job, how soon can you start?
- Do you have any questions for me?
Tips For a Successful Phone Screen Interview
The most important thing to remember here is that the recruiter is not likely to get into the nitty-gritty details of the job you applied for. Chances are high that any details they know about this position and the ideal candidate came from a brief one-on-one with the hiring manager and the job description. With that in mind, the best tool you’ll have at your disposal for preparing for the interview is the job ad.
It’s always best practice to research the company a little bit ahead of a phone interview, if for no other reason than to know how to put your experience into context, but by really combing through the job description you’ll be better able to anticipate what the recruiter will ask about. For example, remember all of those keywords that you filled your resume up with in order to get past the algorithm? Expect the recruiter to ask questions around those keywords. Additionally, if the job ad has a lot of talk about company culture, it’s likely that the recruiter will be assessing your personality to see if you’d fit in. Also, if there is anything in the job description that the recruiter can quickly confirm over the phone, assume they will do just that.
Here are a few more general tips to help you get past the phone screen interview:
- Keep your tone conversational (though not overly casual) and express enthusiasm over the opportunity
- Have the job description and the company website pulled up on your computer so that you can quickly and easily reference them as needed (one of the perks to a phone screen is that you can have all kinds of notes to help you out at your disposal)
- Pay attention to what the recruiter is saying, and make sure they know that you’re listening by engaging in conversation
- Come to the call prepared with questions to ask; keep in mind that phone screen interviews are often quick, so list your questions in order of priority so that you can be sure to get the most important ones answered
- Speak with confidence when you’re discussing your experience, your abilities, and when you’re sharing what you’re looking for in a new job/employer
- Make sure you’re ready to talk about any skills necessary to do the job (use the job description as your guide to help you prepare)
- Know how you’re going to answer the inevitable salary question; do your research beforehand so that you present a reasonable number based on your experience and the market
- Ask when they’d like to have the position filled
- Find out what the next steps in the process are and what the timeline for each step looks like
- After the call is over, take a few minutes to write a quick thank you email; let them know that you’re still interested in the position and that you’re looking forward to hearing from them soon
- If it’s been a couple of weeks since the interview and you haven’t heard back, send a follow-up email to see if there are any updates
- Don’t hesitate to ask to reschedule the phone interview if something comes up that will distract you from the call; it’s better to delay the conversation a day than to try to talk over a toddler screaming in the background demanding your attention
You’ve Got This
The phone screen is somehow both the least intense and an essential interview in the process. It’s much less formal than later interviews. But you can’t move forward without it. As you prep yourself for the call, remember that the job description is the best resource to help you anticipate what the recruiter will ask during the interview. As long as you do your research, show up with confidence, and make good conversation, you’re sure to make it on to the next round.
Find your fit with The Mom Project
Join The Mom Project to create your talent profile and browse career opportunities from vetted companies that support work and life integration. 
Recommended Articles
