Interview Preparation for the Telephone Interview

The Telephone Interview (Distance Interviewing)

Telephone interviews are most commonly used by HR departments and recruitment consultancy firms. From the perspective of these recruitment professionals, the main goal of the telephone interview is to screen you as a candidate in terms of your personality type, as well as to assess how closely the experience you’ve described on your C.V matches with how you sound on the phone. They will probably ask for specific competency and behavioural-based examples of times where you have performed key tasks and duties, and will test you on your knowledge of your C.V as well as on the company

Most people know there are differences between a telephone interview and a normal interview, and while participating candidates will have varying opinions and preferences regarding this, when you consider these differences on their merits, you should be able to find more things that are advantageous for you in a telephone interview than you would in almost any other interview type

Telephone interviews can be performed in various ways, but due to the fact that these interviews are normally conducted as part of a larger screening process for further stages of a recruitment process, they are usually performed in the standard setting of a structured interview format

While they can vary, the length of the telephone interview is usually slightly shorter than a standard face-to-face structured interview. (Although this can be dependent on the role and the recruiter in question, it is normally between 20min to 35min long)

The fact that telephone interviews are typically conducted as an initial step for part of an ongoing selection process is widely established. It allows employers to properly screen candidates before moving onto the next stage of an interview process. It is also widely known that some interviewees prefer face-to-face meetings with their interviewers as they feel it gives them the opportunity to better express themselves and answer questions more thoroughly. However, if you are unconfident or inexperienced at interviewing, one of the main advantages of the telephone interview is that it gives you a level playing field against more experienced candidates, as well as providing an excellent opportunity to get in badly needed interview experience without the pressure of a full face-to-face interview. A telephone interview is all about projecting yourself through your tone of voice. Doing so can help make up for a lack of verifiable experience or qualifications, as well as helping to cover for weak answers to questions given over the telephone. While the telephone interview might nullify the advantage for some who are more experienced in an interview setting, for others, it can even-the-odds and provide a valuable opportunity to progress onto further stages of the interview process.
In any normal face-to-face interview, an interviewer will be able to derive all sorts of nuances and information through your body language, even on a subconscious level. In the telephone interview, their inability to do so is viewed as an advantage by many. Lots of people will do better without the pressure and physical proximity of being constantly observed by their interviewer, and while others won’t, the fact still remains – in order to progress onto the next stage of the process and get the job, you will need to successfully traverse the telephone interview to get there…

USING YOUR PREPARATION TO MAKE THE MOST OF THE TELEPHONE INTERVIEW

Preparation is the most essential ingredient before any interview. The preparation methods you should utilise for a telephone interview are slightly different from other interview types, and the interviewees who are most adept at recognising this are the people who will do best, not the ones who are most experienced

In the telephone interview, preparation is an area where less experienced candidates can even the playing field. This is because you can do here what you can’t do in other types of interviews, such as having an interview cheat sheet or other useful notes out in front of you as you’re going through the interview. (Although do not scrimp on actual preparation, reading directly from pre-prepared notes can make you sound scripted, and your interviewer will be looking for signs of this). Due to the fact that telephone interviews are used to screen candidates before further stages of a recruitment process, most of the focus will normally center around your C.V., so be sure you prioritize your preparation time beforehand and familiarize yourself with the job duties and educational history listed on it

The preparation for the telephone interview starts from the moment you agree to the interview itself. When confirming a time and date, your first priority is to make sure you set this for a time when you can be certain you won’t be interrupted. Because on that day you’ll need to make sure you are in a quiet place with no distractions. Turn off the television, switch off any alarms, and ensure the place you’ve designated for yourself is one where you will have peace and quiet (you don’t want the bin man making noise outside when you are trying to talk to the interviewer)

Waiting for the call can be nerve-wracking, that’s why it’s advisable to take up this time by doing a last-minute revision of your notes. If you don’t want to do this, that’s fine, simply try to do something that relaxes you to reduce your anxiety levels

When you first answer the phone – smile. Not only will this help put you at ease, but it also makes you sound more friendly and relaxed when speaking (remember how important your voice and tone are in the telephone interview). Also, smiling when you initially pick up the phone will help you remember to keep smiling over the course of the interview.
When the call comes through – start off by introducing yourself, and then confirm who you are speaking with. If you have it, speak the interviewer’s title, (Mr, Dr, Prof) and name back to them, and wait for them to confirm it with you. For instance, ‘Hi, this is Hu, am I speaking with xxx?’
This will immediately impress upon the interviewer that you are prepared for the upcoming interview and eager to take the initiative, and immediately puts you on the front foot. Even if the interviewer turns out to be different from who you were expecting, this still makes you sound confident and in control and the interviewer will give you credit for this.
(Once you’ve confirmed the interviewer’s name, it’s important you try and use it over the course of the interview)

MAXIMISING YOUR PERFORMANCE IN THE TELEPHONE INTERVIEW

Miscellaneous advice

• You have total choice in what you wear in the telephone interview. There are two lines of thinking when it comes to this. You can put on formal attire, suit and tie, dress suit, etc, to make yourself feel more professional. Or you can do the opposite, and put on something casual, to make yourself feel more comfortable. The choice is up to you, it’s really just down to whatever you think will help you perform better
  
  
• Following on from this, you also have total choice when it comes to freedom of movement as well. Choosing whether or not you sit down or stand up can make a big difference. Again, much of this comes down to personal preference. If you are feeling nervous or restless, standing up may be the better option. If you are talking or reading from your notes (sitting down is usually the better choice)
  
  
• Have some water at hand
  
  
• Using a headset can also be a good idea for telephone interviews as well, as it can make it easier to talk and concentrate on what you have to say while leaving your hands free for other things such as sorting interview notes, taking a drink of water, etc
  
  
• Most people nowadays don’t have a landline and use mobile phones only. This is an interview that will be conducted over the telephone, so before the interview even begins, make sure your mobile is fully charged (even if you do have a landline). Also make sure your phone is on the right settings, such as do not disturb, because if you have an incoming call (or calls), these distractions can seriously disrupt the course of your interview. Also, it’s a matter of preference, but if you have the choice between a mobile and a landline, it’s advisable to use the landline as the connection is more reliable and there’s less risk of being interrupted mid-interview by other incoming calls
  
  
• Trying to obtain a contact number so you have a way to call them back if the signal is lost or the call gets disconnected can be a really helpful thing to do, (this can sometimes happen with mobile phone signals). This step is not strictly necessary, and if this happens you shouldn’t panic – as professionals who arrange these types of interviews for a living, your interviewer will be aware that problems like this can sometimes occur, and as such, they will normally be the ones who will call you back if you get disconnected. They should also be quite forthcoming in arranging an alternative time to complete the interview if these or any other problems should persist. Nevertheless, trying to obtain a contact number is still a very useful thing to do and the interviewer will give you credit for taking the initiative
  
  
• Take notes as soon as the interview has finished – this should always be one of your basic post-interview steps anyway. It is reiterated here because it’s usually quite common to be told a little more about the job and/or the company during a telephone interview. This can provide you with important information that can be very useful if you successfully traverse the telephone interview and progress onto subsequent stages of the interview process. Taking notes immediately after your interview has finished will ensure you don’t miss noting down important bits of information which can sometimes provide you with brilliant talking points in the subsequent interviews to come
  
  
• When speaking with the interviewer, it is imperative you keep your language and tone professional. Towards the end of the interview, they will probably talk with you about the next stage of the process and might let you know right there and then if you have been successful in progressing forward onto the next stage at the end of the call.
  (In the telephone interview the turnaround time is usually quite quick, that’s why thank you notes are normally less effective with this type of interview format)
  
  

Below you will find questions and answers to some of the most commonly asked questions in the telephone interview. Alternatively, why don’t you look at the link at the bottom of the page for the steps we recommend you take to prepare for your next interview

COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS FOR THE TELEPHONE INTERVIEW

1. Can you describe yourself?

What is this question
There are many iterations of this question, and in the telephone interview, it still serves the same underlying purpose as it would in any other type of interview format. This is a basic icebreaker question, however not being there in person makes it more difficult for the interviewer to gauge your personality, so in the telephone interview they will rely heavily on this question to get a feel for your underlying character

How to answer this
This type of question gives you the opportunity to set the tone and structure for your answer. In the telephone interview, it also provides the perfect opportunity for you to use an ‘elevator’ pitch, (this is a specialized type of personal statement. See the LINK TO BEST WRITTEN PERSONAL STATEMENTS, under – STEP 8)

Example
‘I’m someone who’s a self-starter. Selling has always been in my family, my father was always talking about the skill it took to sell products in the automotive industry, and as I got older, I discovered I had the same natural flair and passion for selling things that he did. Digital marketing was a natural fit for me, and after I finished high school, I moved to Sheffield where I got my bachelor’s degree in digital marketing from the University of Sheffield. I’ve had a lot of experience in the field over the years, working on everything from marketing furniture, healthcare products, and electronics. One thing I’ve learned in this industry is that if you’re not going to market something properly, you shouldn’t do it at all, and this is a mantra I use both in my work life and home life alike. To give you an example, I’m very thorough about the things I do. I like to play sports and when I do, I play to win. I like to read long science ‘fiction’ and fantasy books, and when I do, I make sure I read them all the way to the end from cover to cover. It’s not just about having a competitive nature or having a desire to finish things. For me, it’s about making a commitment to something, and because I apply this same ethos whether in my work or my personal life, it’s what makes me so effective at what I do’.

ALTERNATIVE ANSWER

2. In your own words, can you tell me what you think this role entails?

What is this question
This is a good screening question for the interviewer. They are asking this for 2 reasons – to see if you have researched the role, and also to see if you have understood it. A strong answer indicates to the interviewer that you are not only interested in the role, but that you have the ability to perform competently in it. By contrast, a weak answer indicates the opposite

How to answer this
Stick to the facts of the role. Your first priority should be to make sure you keep your answer upbeat and positive as you describe the duties you feel the role entails. Although it sounds contradictory, you should also resist the urge to relate these duties to your previous or current job as much as possible, because what might be relevant for one employer might not necessarily be the case for the other, and you might be totally off the mark. That’s why it is essential you stick as closely as you can to the job description when answering this. While in the telephone interview you can have helpful reference material out in front of you while you’re going through the interview, the answer you give needs to sound like it’s in your own words, and not read off from a sheet of paper

Example
‘This role will require me to act as the first point of contact for claims pertaining to buildings and contents for valued customers residing here in the UK. It includes me being responsible for familiarising myself with how to access policy information to help me correctly identify whether a claim is valid or not. The role also involves me being a friendly and professional voice of the company, valuing attention to detail by correctly logging all aspects of a claim. It involves me being proactive and persistent because in addition to logging claims, I will also be monitoring the progress of these claims and making sure the correct information is updated and passed along to the relevant departments. The other aspect of this role involves me working with fraud investigation and other internal or external departments to help resolve these claims as required. Overall, I feel it requires the ability for me to prioritise my workload, the ability to analyse information, along with an innate ability to communicate effectively with my customers. Having worked in the telecommunications industry for 8 ½ years, I am very confident that all of these are skills I already possess, and I’m also highly eager to adapt and learn new skills as required’. 

3. Can you tell me a bit about the company?

What is this question
This is another screening question for the interviewer.
From your answer they will be able to determine whether or not you have a genuine interest in the company and in the role itself, that’s why being able to answer this effectively tells the interviewer that you have a basic desire to want to work for them 

How to answer this
Keep everything you say here positive and upbeat.
Researching the company using the ‘about us’ and ‘history’ tabs on a company’s website, or searching online using the companies name, should usually give you more than enough information to use. Compose your answer by compiling 1-2 paragraphs about the company regarding its products and services, values and culture, mission objectives, or current news and events with this information. This is one of the questions you should be able to recite easily when asked, so make sure you practice this answer before the interview

Example
‘This university has a long, proud, and pioneering history. Specializing in engineering and science you are one of the leading universities in the world with 11 campuses throughout the US and Europe and further plans to expand into Asia. With over 40,000 students, you’re looking for the best and brightest educators to continue building your legacy. Not only are your research facilities renowned as world-class, but over 92% of this institution’s students go onto employment or further education within 3 months of graduation. You’re building a future for scientist’s and innovators alike, and I would love to be a part of it.’

ALTERNATIVE ANSWER

4. Why should we hire you?

What is this question
The interviewer asks this to get a sense of what you have managed to achieve in your previous roles, to get an understanding of what you can bring to the company, and to further determine your eligibility for the role

A strong answer to this question is a must here, and doing so will ensure a favorable impact on the interviewer’s overall assessment of you. It’s a very open-ended question, and while these can be more challenging to structure, it also gives you plenty of scope to answer in the way that you want, so in the balance of things, it’s a good opportunity to make a solid impact by convincing the interviewer of your worth

How to answer this
For this answer to be effective it must be delivered with confidence.
The challenge, like with so many important open-ended questions, is that it can be difficult to construct a response that takes your answer along a structured path.
The place you need to start your answer here is with the job description. As part of your interview preparation, not only should you have familiarized yourself with the requirements of the role, but you should also be familiar with your own skills and qualities and how they tie in with the role too. That is where you should base your answer. Keep it brief and concise. Do this by matching your best skills and qualities to 2 or 3 of the main requirements of the role. Next, bring up an example of something you’ve accomplished in a current or prior role that reaffirms your ability to perform the duties required, (if you can’t think of an example to give, simply move onto the closing part of your answer).
The closing part involves you finishing strongly by recapping key duties you’ve performed in current or prior roles, and restating the confidence you have in your own abilities, while at the same time also expressing the strong desire you have to get the job and start contributing to the success of your future employer…To this end, reviewing STEPS 2 and 5 of our recommended preparation steps – reviewing the job description, write out a list of your most relevant skills – and what you can do that other candidates can’t, write down what makes you stand out from other candidates – might be useful actions to take

5. Your C.V says you have experience setting up new claims, as well as experience dealing with existing claims and new policy queries, can you give an example where you’ve performed these duties to an exceptional level? (Competency-based interview question)

What is this question
The interviewer wants to know that you can do what your C.V is claiming you can do. They are zeroing in on something on your C.V that is relevant to the role and want to examine this further. In this instance, they are looking for proof that you can do what you are claiming and have asked for a verbal example of this

How to answer this
This question is all about being to provide a verbal example to the interviewer. The best way to do this is to use a S.T.A.R competency-based example. This is where you construct your answer in a purposefully structured way. The structure is always the same – Situation, Task, Action, Result

In the first part of your answer, start by explaining the SITUATION you found yourself in at the time; this sets the scene and provides a context for the rest of your answer. This should be done within the first 3 – 4 sentences.
The next part of your answer goes on to explain your TASK. This defines the challenge or difficulty you were faced with and putting this across well sets you up nicely for the next part of your answer. Ideally, you want to explain the task within 2-3 sentences.
Next, is the ACTION you took in that situation. This part of the answer defines the actions you took and categorizes the experience or skillset you used to resolve the difficulty or challenge you described in your task. The action is the most important part of your answer, so try and incorporate specific details here as it will add depth and lend credibility to what you say. You should take anywhere from 1-2 paragraphs to describe the action you used to resolve the problem you encountered.
Once you’ve described the action, finish up by talking about the RESULT those actions produced. It is very important that the result ends in a positive or constructive way. Try to do this by focusing on what was gained, or what was learned, as a result of your actions. A well delivered closing will provide an authentic and purposeful feel to the entirety of your answer, and as such, it means it’s equally important to have a strong result as it does to have a solid action in any competency-based answer you give. Try and keep your result between 4 – 6 sentences long

Remember – practice makes perfect.
A comprehensive and well-structured answer like this requires proper preparation.
S.T.A.R interview examples are best delivered when they are properly rehearsed before an interview. As an interview candidate, you will have no way of knowing specifically what questions will be asked of you. Because of this, people who use S.T.A.R interview examples tend to choose 7 or 8 competency or behavioural based examples to rehearse before the interview that cover as wide a variety of different scenarios as possible. In this way, by rehearsing a range of different situations, they give themselves the best possible chance of matching one they’ve rehearsed to any question the interviewer asks where the S.T.A.R method is required.
Lastly, when reciting any competency or behavioural based example, be sure to personalize your answer to the fullest extent by referring to yourself in the first term ‘I’.

6. On your C.V, you outline experience pertaining to complaint handling, can you please describe this experience in more detail

What is this question
The interviewer wants to know that you can do what your C.V is claiming you can do. In this instance they have picked up on something in your C.V that is relevant to the role, and are not asking for a specific example, rather they are asking you instead to talk about these duties which means they want to understand more about what they entailed to see if they fit with the requirements of the role

How to answer this
Having a great familiarity with your C.V is the key to a strong answer here. This question is quite open ended, and the challenge with open-ended questions like this is that they can sometimes prove harder to structure when answering them. Having a good familiarity of your own C.V is essential, and being able to talk openly and positively about your prior experience is also a must with this question

Example
‘The first step to readdressing any grievance was to correctly identify when a complaint was being made. To do this, I used my solid understanding of the businesses criteria for logging complaints, along with my own good judgement based on the tone of voice the customer was using in that situation. As a claims handler, the most important thing for me was to listen to the complainant, this enabled me to methodically capture the details surrounding each complaint, not only helping me to ensure I captured all the details properly, but enabling me to better understand the issue our customer was having and attempt to come up with an appropriate resolution. When raising a complaint, it was important to me to treat the customer with fairness and empathy. The objective was always to resolve the complaint at first contact if possible, and to do this, I would use varying methods such as explaining policy details, overcoming customer objections, or using a feedback process to provide recommendations to specific individuals or departments where I identified service failings were evident. In mitigating circumstances, when I felt it was appropriate, I would also issue gestures of goodwill as part of the resolution for a complaint. I was always able to manage my complaints diligently, even difficult ones, and overall, I am very comfortable when dealing with and managing complaints.’

7. In your opinion, what are the most important aspects of your C.V as relates to this role?

What is this question
The interviewer is querying your understanding of the role. There may be something they have identified on your C.V that stands out as particularly significant and they are asking this to see if you’ve picked up on it too. They will also be interested in your thoughts on your C.V and how this ties in with your understanding of the role, and will form an opinion of your answer based on how substantive and insightful your comments on your C.V are

How to answer this
The answer you give here depends on what is outlined on your C.V, therefore the key to a good answer lies in 2 fundamental things. Firstly, is to have a professionally written C.V (that is written specifically for the industry/ field you are applying for). Second, is to ensure you follow the basic interview preparation steps (particularly as pertains to steps 1,2 and 3 – researching the company, reviewing the job description, and studying your resume respectively). Doing these things should ensure the answer you give is well-structured and impactful. Having your C.V in front of you as you go along should also help greatly on a question like this too

8. On your C.V, you’ve indicated an ability to effectively prioritise your workload, can you provide an example of this? (Competency-based interview question)

What is this question
The interviewer wants to know that you can do what your C.V is claiming you can do. They are zeroing in on something on your C.V that is relevant to the role and want to examine it further. In this instance, they are looking for proof that you can do what you are claiming and have asked for a verbal example of this

How to answer this
This is a competency-based interview question. Interviewers ask such questions because they want to know about a real-life experience where you were challenged or where you excelled at doing something. Answering competency-based interview questions is very important because the interviewer will take what you have said as evidence that you have the requisite experience performing those competencies, and what you should keep in mind is that those competencies are almost always essential for the job you are applying for. When answering a competency-based question you should be utilizing the S.T.A.R technique. This is where you construct your answer in a purposefully structured way. The structure is always the same – Situation, Task, Action, Result

In the first part of your answer, start by explaining the SITUATION you found yourself in at the time; this sets the scene and provides a context for the rest of your answer. This should be done within the first 3 – 4 sentences.
The next part of your answer goes on to explain your TASK. This defines the challenge or difficulty you were faced with and putting this across well sets you up nicely for the next part of your answer. Ideally, you want to explain the task within 2-3 sentences.
Next, is the ACTION you took in that situation. This part of the answer defines the actions you took and categorizes the experience or skillset you used to resolve the difficulty or challenge you described in your task. The action is the most important part of your answer, so try and incorporate specific details here as it will add depth and lend credibility to what you say. You should take anywhere from 1-2 paragraphs to describe the action you used to resolve the problem you encountered.
Once you’ve described the action, finish up by talking about the RESULT those actions produced. It is very important that the result ends in a positive or constructive way. Try to do this by focusing on what was gained, or what was learned, as a result of your actions. A well delivered closing will provide an authentic and purposeful feel to the entirety of your answer, and as such, it means it’s equally important to have a strong result as it does to have a solid action in any competency-based answer you give. Try and keep your result between 4 – 6 sentences long

Remember – practice makes perfect.
A comprehensive and well-structured answer like this requires proper preparation.
S.T.A.R interview examples are best delivered when they are properly rehearsed before an interview. As an interview candidate, you will have no way of knowing specifically what questions will be asked of you. Because of this, people who use S.T.A.R interview examples tend to choose 7 or 8 competency or behavioural based examples to rehearse before the interview that cover as wide a variety of different scenarios as possible. In this way, by rehearsing a range of different situations, they give themselves the best possible chance of matching one they’ve rehearsed to any question the interviewer asks where the S.T.A.R method is required.
Lastly, when reciting any competency or behavioural based example, be sure to personalize your answer to the fullest extent by referring to yourself in the first term ‘I’.

9. Can you give me an example of a time when you have taken ownership of a challenging customer enquiry? (Behavioural-based interview question)

What is this question
This is a behavioural-based interview question. The interviewer wants to get a sense of how much responsibility you have when it comes to taking ownership of difficult situations where resolving customer enquiries and wants to get an understanding of how far you will go to promote customer satisfaction

How to answer this
Just like in a competency-based question, with a behavioural-based interview question you should be looking to employ the S.T.A.R technique in your response. While that means you’ll structure your answer in the same way, the focus with a behavioural-based question should be on your individual qualities and traits. This means the answer itself should focus on the emotional and behavioural qualities you employed to resolve the situation, rather than on a utilization of skills and technical knowledge.
Remember that in answers where the S.T.A.R response is utilized, the examples you give are almost always essential to the role that you are applying for. Answering behavioural-based interview questions is very important because the interviewer will take what you have said as evidence that you are able to deal with customers and situations in the way that you have described. Where utilizing the S.T.A.R technique the structure is always the same – Situation, Task, Action, Result

In the first part of your answer, start by explaining the SITUATION you found yourself in at the time; this sets the scene and provides a context for the rest of your answer. This should be done within the first 3 – 4 sentences.
The next part of your answer goes on to explain your TASK. This defines the challenge or difficulty you were faced with and putting this across well sets you up nicely for the next part of your answer. Ideally, you want to explain the task within 2-3 sentences.
Next, is the ACTION you took in that situation. This part of the answer defines the actions you took and categorizes the experience or individual qualities you used to resolve the challenge you described in your task. The action is the most important part of your answer, so try and incorporate specific details here as it will add depth and lend credibility to what you say. You should take anywhere from 1-2 paragraphs to describe the action you used to resolve the problem you encountered.
Once you’ve described the action, finish up by talking about the RESULT those actions produced. It is very important that the result ends in a positive or constructive way. Try to do this by focusing on what was gained, or what was learned, as a result of your actions. A well delivered closing will provide an authentic and purposeful feel to the entirety of your answer, and as such, it means it’s equally important to have a strong result as it does to have a solid action in any behavioural-based answer you give. Try and keep your result between 4 – 6 sentences long

Remember – practice makes perfect.
A comprehensive and well-structured answer like this requires proper preparation.
S.T.A.R interview examples are best delivered when they are properly rehearsed before an interview. As an interview candidate, you will have no way of knowing specifically what questions will be asked of you. Because of this, people who use S.T.A.R interview examples tend to choose 7 or 8 competency or behavioural based examples to rehearse before the interview that cover as wide a variety of different scenarios as possible. In this way, by rehearsing a range of different situations, they give themselves the best possible chance of matching one they’ve rehearsed to any question the interviewer asks where the S.T.A.R method is required.
Lastly, when reciting any competency or behavioural based example, be sure to personalize your answer to the fullest extent by referring to yourself in the first term ‘I’.

10. Do you have any questions for us?

What is this question
This question should always come at the very end of your interview.
The interviewer is extending you the courtesy of asking if you have any questions for them. They are doing this to give you the opportunity to get answers to any queries you might have, or to clarify anything you’re unsure of

How to answer this
You never want to respond by telling the interviewer you have no questions at all. This question is all about having something to say when you are asked. Having something to ask the interviewer shows them that you have been engaged in the topics you’ve covered during the interview, and it also signals to the interviewer that you are interested in the job itself. Not having anything to ask signals the exact opposite. The interviewer is giving you this opportunity to clarify any points, clear up any concerns, and most importantly to ask about things that interest you about the role and the company. That’s why you should always prepare and rehearse 2 or 3 questions to ask them at the end of your interview.
There are a few effective tactics you can employ when composing your questions. To start with, you can base some of your questions around what you learn about the company during STEP 1 of your interview preparation – Research the company. Also, you can choose questions from Interview Professional’s Top List of Questions for the Interviewer. Ideally, any questions that you ask should tie in with yourself and reflect well on your motivations and aspirations for the role. Be sure to stay away from asking about salary or benefits, and make sure the questions you ask are open-ended to give your interviewer the chance to respond with long, well thought-out answers

(If you think of another question before the interview starts, or if you pick up on something that is said during the interview that you want to clear up (outwith salary and benefits related questions), don’t be afraid to deviate from the list of rehearsed questions that you’ve prepared. Remember that the interviewer is giving you this opportunity to clarify any points and clear up any concerns that you may have about the role. So while it is fine to take this opportunity to impress upon the interviewer that you are not only interested in the role, but that you are looking to make a name for yourself within the company, don’t neglect to ask questions regarding genuine concerns or issues that you have as well)

Example
‘Yes, thanks for asking, there are a few questions I have for you. Firstly…’

Now that you’ve seen some of the most common questions asked in the telephone interview and the most effective ways to answer them, next, why not have a look at the steps we recommend you take to prepare for your next interview in the link at the bottom of the page

INTERVIEW PROFESSIONAL’S – RECOMMENDED PREPARATION STEPS FOR YOUR NEXT INTERVIEW