Ahead of the next Work Ready Mission meetup on Monday, ŌCHT’s employment coach Lyn looks at interview skills.

Phone interviews/phone screen are a common pre-selection tool in the hiring process, especially for jobs that have many applicants. They save time interviewing candidates who clearly aren’t suitable. They're convenient for employers and candidates alike. But that doesn't mean they're easy.

With most job vacancies attracting a large number of candidate applications, your performance in a phone interview is crucial to your application progressing further through the recruitment process and the overall success of your job search.

It’s important to prepare for all phone interviews. But many candidates overlook phone interviews as less important simply because they’re not conducted face-to-face and treat a telephone interview more like an informal chat than a professional conversation. Others don’t take the time during their job search to learn how to prepare for standard phone interview questions. These candidates usually don’t perform well during the call, provide answers that fail to impress and rarely make it to the next round of the hiring process.

Since phone interviews lack the face-to-face component, it's harder to convey body language and establish rapport.

Here’s how you can stand out and ace your next phone interview.

An initial phone interview allows a recruiter or hiring manager to talk through your CV and determine if you have the skills and experience necessary to make the shortlist for a face-to-face or video interview.

Getting a phone interview is a positive sign – you've made the first shortlist, and the employer wants to know more.

This is the final hurdle before the highly prized in-person interview, and one you should take seriously. Getting this far doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed to reach the next stage.

By preparing for your phone interview properly, you’ll be able to use this stage of the recruitment process to make a good first impression and build rapport with the interviewer. This will help to set yourself apart from other candidates.

Key Takeaways for Phone Interviews:

Preparation is key: Research the company, understand the role, and have materials at hand. Charge your phone and make sure you’re somewhere where you get consistent signal on your phone
Voice matters: Speak clearly, confidently, and with enthusiasm. Avoid monotone speaking: Vary your pitch and intonation to keep the conversation engaging.
Get in the zone: Eliminate distractions and focus entirely on the conversation. Turn the TV off, close your laptop and get rid of pens or other desk items you’re likely to fiddle with.
Listen and engage: Show that you’re actively listening by asking relevant questions and pausing when needed.
Keep your answers brief: As a general rule, keep things on the shorter side. The interviewer will ask for more detail if they need it, and you don’t want them falling asleep on the other end of the line.
Finish Strongly: At the end of the interview, thank the interviewer for their time and express your continued interest in the position. If appropriate, ask about the next steps in the hiring process.
Match your qualifications: Be ready to explain how your background and achievements make you the ideal candidate.
Stay Calm and Confident: Interviews can be stressful, but staying calm and maintaining confidence is key. If you feel nervous, take a deep breath and collect your thoughts before answering questions. Confidence comes from preparation, so trust in the work you’ve done to prepare.
Prepare for Common Interview Questions: Practice answering common interview questions, especially those about your strengths, weaknesses, and previous job experiences.
Ask questions: Show interest and engage with the interviewer.

Questions that may be asked by the interviewer

Favourite questions include:

1. Tell me about your past experience

The interviewer isn’t looking for a list of everything you’ve ever done. They want to know how your education, qualifications and past experience set you up for their role.

Our advice? Read the job description thoroughly and only mention stuff that directly links to their list of desired skills. Keeping a copy of the listing, job description and your CV to hand is helpful for answering this one.

2. Why did you apply for this job?

The interviewer is looking to discover if you’ve fully understood what you’d be doing in the position.

What do you know about our organisation?

Why do you want to work here?

What makes you a suitable candidate for this job?

3. What are your wage expectations?

Employers want to get an idea of your desired wages early on. It’s vital you do your research to avoid giving a wildly unrealistic answer, as this can damage your chances. Use comparisons with similar job listings, experience ask for what’s reasonable.

In addition, we recommend giving a range, rather than a specific figure, and mentioning you’re open to negotiate. This way, if your calculations were a little off, the interviewer knows this isn’t a line in the sand for you.

4. Why are you leaving your current role?

Don’t, we repeat, don’t, rip into your former employer.

Other than this, be honest here. Common reasons for moving on include:

Looking for a new challenge or a chance to learn different skills.

A change in personal circumstances – e.g. relocating or the arrival of kids.

Being made redundant – this happens, and good employers will understand it’s not your fault. Better you tell them than lie and they find out another way.

5. What’s your notice period?

This is purely practical. If you’re currently working, know the terms of your contract so you can give an answer on the spot.

6. Can you pass a Drug Test and a MOJ (Ministry of Justice check)

7. Do you have a car, and licence or how will you to get to the job site

8. What is your availability for an in-person interview?

Questions to ask

Not all phone screenings will give you time for your own questions, but it’s good to have a couple up your sleeve just in case. These questions can help you determine whether the role is right for you, and show your potential employer that you’re enthusiastic, interested and prepared.

Just make sure it’s not something that’s already been covered!

1. Could you tell me why this position has become available?

2. What would a typical day in this role look like?

3. Would I be working with a small or large team, and can you tell me a little more about the people I’d be working with?

4. Who would I be reporting to and what would my contact with that person look like?

5. If I’m successful, do you have someone in my team who would act as a mentor or ‘buddy’ for the first little while?

6. How would you describe the workplace culture?

7. If I was offered this role, is there any training you think I’d need to undertake immediately?

8. What are the next steps in the interview process?

9. Walk me through the current job and responsibilities

The phone screen interviews are the first contact you have with the employer after your application. A successful phone interview will give you the opportunity to move to the next stage.

Although this is all about a phone interview the above tips can be used for a face-to-face interview. Your body language and personal presentation are also important to create a great first impression.

Our next column will be about the importance of body language and personal presentation.