Phone Interview Tips | Preparing for a Screening

If you’re new to phone interviews, the tips in this article will help you avoid last-minute problems and understand what the interviewer is looking for—so you can give yourself the best possible chance of progressing to the next round.

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Know what kind of interview to expect

Read the information you’ve received carefully to establish what kind of phone interview to expect.

Phone interviews are often screening interviews, also called a “phone screen,” “recruiter screen,” or “HR screening interview.” The aim is to assess your general suitability for the position before deciding whether to invite you to an interview with the hiring manager (typically the person who would be your future boss).

If it’s an initial screening interview, find out who you’ll be speaking to. Is it a member of the company’s internal HR or recruitment team or a recruiter from an external agency? This can help you anticipate how familiar they’ll be with the company, the specific role, and the work involved.

The interviewer for a screening will probably be a recruitment or HR specialist rather than an expert in your field, so avoid using technical jargon without explaining it. The technical terms used in the job posting are generally a good guide to what they’ll be familiar with.

Initial screening interviews typically focus on:

• A broad overview of your professional background, relevant experience, and qualifications
• Whether you meet the basic requirements of the role
• Why you’re interested in the position and the company
• Practical considerations such as your availability, salary expectations, and preferred working arrangements

If the phone interview is with the hiring manager, you should generally prepare for more detailed questions about your skills, experience, and ability to perform the specific responsibilities of the role.

Be ready for the call

Double-check the date and time of your phone interview, including the time zone if necessary. Add it to your calendar and set reminders so you’re comfortably settled in the place you’ve chosen to take the call before your phone rings.

Make sure you know whether the interviewer will call you or you’re expected to call them. If you’re making the call, check that you have the correct phone number and any access codes you might need.

Plan where you’re going to take the call well in advance. Choose somewhere quiet and comfortable. If you’re going to use a place you’re not familiar with, check the phone signal and make sure the acoustics aren’t too echoey.

Gather together the following things so they’re close at hand for reference:

• The resume and cover letter from your application
• Your interview preparation notes, including any questions you want to ask the interviewer
• A pen and paper to jot down important information during the conversation

Make sure you know how to access your phone’s calendar app during the call in case the interviewer wants to schedule a follow-up interview. Alternatively, have your calendar open on another device.

Before the interview, don’t forget to:

• Charge your phone. Set yourself a reminder to do this well in advance.
• Turn off call waiting and silence notifications to minimize distractions during the interview. But make sure you don’t prevent the interviewer’s call from coming through because you’ve set your phone to “do not disturb.”
• Let others know about the interview. Tell anyone who’ll be nearby that you’re going to be taking an important call. Consider putting a sign on the door as a reminder.

If the interviewer calls early, your phone could go to voicemail, so make sure that you’re using an appropriate voicemail message.

Prepare your phone setup

Consider using earphones or a headset with a built-in microphone for your phone interview. This can help ensure good audio quality, prevent your hand or neck from getting tired, and leave your hands free to take notes or check your calendar.

If you plan to use an external device (e.g., Bluetooth headphones), make sure it’s charged and working properly and that you know how to connect it to your phone.

Alternatively, you can use your phone’s speakerphone function to keep your hands free, although audio quality probably won’t be as good. If you choose this option, make a test call from the location where you plan to take the interview. Ask the other person whether they can hear you clearly and if there’s any distracting background noise or echo.

Phone interview questions

If you’re preparing for an initial phone screening interview and have limited time, prioritize preparing answers to questions that ask you to:

• Summarize your professional background, particularly in response to a common opening question like “Tell me about yourself.”
• Explain your motivation for applying, including why you’re interested in the position and want to work for the company.
• Address potential weaknesses in your application, such as not meeting all the requirements listed in the job posting. Prepare convincing arguments for why you’re still a strong candidate, drawing on your transferable skills and relevant experience.

Otherwise, prepare for a phone interview questions as you would prepare for any job interview:

• Review the resume and cover letter you submitted, along with the job posting, to anticipate questions you’re likely to be asked.
• Think of specific examples from your work experience that you can draw on to demonstrate your skills and answer behavioral interview questions about how you’ve handled situations in the past.
• Review a list of common interview questions and make notes on how you’d answer the ones you find most challenging.
• Practice answering questions out loud by doing a mock interview with a friend or writing interview questions on cards, shuffling them, and answering them at random.

Frequently asked questions about a phone interview

What is a screening interview?

A screening interview is an initial interview used to assess whether a candidate meets the basic requirements for a job before deciding whether they should progress to the next stage of the hiring process.

Screening interviews are often phone interviews or virtual interviews conducted by a member of the company’s HR or recruitment team or an external recruiter.

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