Mastering the Phone Interview: Your Key to Efficient Hiring

Phone interviews are often the first step in the hiring process—a chance to assess candidates quickly and determine who moves on to the next stage. They’re a valuable screening tool, helping hiring pros gauge a candidate’s interest, passion, and fit for the role beyond what’s listed on their resume or LinkedIn profile.

What Phone Interviews Are (and Aren’t)

A phone interview isn’t about making a hiring decision. Think of it as a casual but purposeful conversation—a brief introduction between you and the candidate.

A phone interview is your chance to:

• Assess the candidate’s excitement and interest in the role

• Answer their questions

• Explain next steps in the hiring process

• Give candidates a chance to opt out if the role isn’t a fit

What it isn’t is a full-blown interview or a deep dive into the role and company details. Avoid using this time to:

• Fully explain the position or organization

• Cause unnecessary stress for the candidate

• Invite candidates to apply for other open roles in the company

Remember, most hiring managers spend 15 minutes or less on phone interviews.so don’t waste time on unnecessary chatter.

The Right Questions for a Short Interview

Since phone interviews are brief, you’ll need to ask the right mix of questions to get a strong sense of the candidate. Here are some sample questions, broken into categories to help you customize your approach.

Breaking the Ice

• What’s a typical day like in your current position?

• What about this role made you want to apply?

• What are your salary expectations?

• If offered the job, how soon could you start?

• If you had to delete all but three apps from your phone, which ones would you keep?

Skills and Experience Questions

• What’s a professional achievement you’re especially proud of?

• What key skills do you bring that would help you succeed in this role?

• How do your current skills align with the requirements of this position?

• What tasks or responsibilities in this role would you find most/least enjoyable?

Culture Questions

• What kind of work environment helps you thrive?

• How do you typically handle setbacks or disagreements with colleagues?

• What are your long-term career goals, and how does this role help you achieve them?

• What kind of challenges are you hoping to take on in your next role?

Technical and Role-Based Questions

• What’s your understanding of the core responsibilities for this position?

• Have you worked with [relevant software/tool] in previous roles?

• What style of coaching or feedback helps you perform your best?

• How long were you responsible for using [skill X] to accomplish [result Y] in your current or previous role?

Moving Beyond the Phone Interview

The phone interview is just a stepping stone to deeper conversations. Some candidates will stand out as clear fits; others will show that they’re not quite right for the role. Take notes on anything you want to explore further in later interviews.

The Bottom Line

Mastering the phone interview is crucial for efficient, effective hiring. Focus on asking targeted questions, keeping the conversation brief, and identifying the candidates who are ready to move to the next step.

With the right approach, these quick conversations can open the door to finding your next great hire.