A phone interview is often the first step, so short, clear answers matter. The interviewer cannot see you, so your words, pace and voice do all the work.
This guide gives you 10 common phone interview questions with sample answers, a table of before, during and after tips, and a free cheat sheet builder with three starting points. Make your own sheet, then print it or copy it and keep it by the phone. The samples are for people with work experience.
AdvertisementThe people, employers, pay and numbers in these examples are fictional. Replace them with your own true information.
10 Phone Interview Questions and Answers
Quick jump: Tell me about yourselfWhy this jobWhy hereWhy leavingStrengthsSalaryStart dateOther interviewsLast jobYour questionsFree phone interview cheat sheet builder
Tell Me About Yourself
Answer: I am a customer service representative with 8 years of helping customers by phone and chat. I resolve 92% of issues on the first contact and keep a 95% satisfaction score across about 60 contacts a day. I am looking for a team where I can keep solving problems and coaching new people.
Why Are You Applying for This Job?
Answer: The job description asks for first-contact problem solving and clear communication, which is the work I do every day. I have resolved 92% of issues on the first contact for three years, and I would like to bring that to your team.
Why Do You Want to Work Here?
Answer: Your team’s focus on helping customers stood out when I read about your company. I want to work somewhere that measures service quality, and my 95% satisfaction score shows what I can add.
Why Are You Looking for a New Job?
Question: Why are you looking for a new job?
Answer: I am proud of my work at my current company, and I have grown a lot there. I am ready for more responsibility, and this role includes coaching new team members, which I enjoy.
What Are Your Strengths?
Question: What are your greatest strengths?
Answer: My top strength is staying calm with upset customers. Last year I helped resolve about 20 escalated complaints a month without a refund, and my manager asked me to coach 4 new representatives.
What Are Your Salary Expectations?
Question: What are your salary expectations?
Answer: I am flexible and would like to learn more about the full role. Based on my research, a range of $44,000 to $50,000 fits my experience. Can you tell me the range for this position?
When Can You Start?
Question: When can you start?
Answer: I can start two weeks after an offer. That lets me finish my current projects and leave on good terms.
Are You Interviewing With Other Companies?
Question: Are you interviewing with other companies?
Answer: Yes, I am speaking with a few employers. This role is a strong fit for my experience, and I would be glad to move forward.
Tell Me More About Your Last Job
Question: Tell me more about your last job.
Answer: At Summit Insurance Group, I handle about 60 calls and chats a day. I raised my first-contact resolution to 92% by building a quick-answer guide, and I coach 6 new representatives a year.
Do You Have Any Questions?
Question: Do you have any questions for me?
Answer: Yes, thank you. What does a typical day look like in this role, and what are the next steps in the process?
Free Phone Interview Cheat Sheet Builder
Step 1. Which opening fits you?
Step 2. Which strength should you stress?
Step 3. Tap the lines to add to your cheat sheet. Keep them short.
Step 4. Click any text in the cheat sheet below and type or modify to make it yours.
Replace the numbers and details with your own true ones. Keep brief notes by the phone, not a full script, and say each answer out loud once.
My Phone Interview Cheat Sheet
Tell me about yourself: I am a dedicated professional with 8 years of helping customers by phone and chat. I resolve 92% of issues on the first contact and keep a 95% satisfaction score across about 60 contacts a day. I want to keep delivering those results for your team.
Tell me about yourself: I am a dedicated professional with 9 years of steady, accurate work in a fast-paced setting. I cut errors by 40% in four months with a new checklist and keep documentation errors under 1%. I want to bring that care to your team.
Tell me about yourself: I am a dedicated professional with 8 years of keeping busy teams organized. I schedule about 25 meetings a week with fewer than 2 conflicts a month and process about 80 invoices a month with 99% accuracy. I want to help your team run smoothly.
My strength: reliability. I have met every deadline for the last two years, and my teammates know they can count on me.
My strength: results. I look for the number that shows whether my work is helping, and I track it every week.
My strength: teamwork. I share what I learn, and I coached 6 new team members in the past year.
Why this job: the role matches the work I do best and the results I have delivered.
Why this company: your team’s focus on helping people is the kind of work I want to do every day.
Why I am looking: I am proud of my current work and ready for more responsibility.
Salary: I am flexible and would like to hear the range for this role first.
Start date: I can start two weeks after an offer.
Other interviews: I am speaking with a few employers, and this role is a strong fit.
My last job: I handle my main duties every day and have improved my results each year.
Ask: What does a typical day look like in this role?
Ask: What are the next steps, and when will I hear back?
Ask: What would success look like in the first 90 days?
Closing line: Thank you for your time. I am very interested in this role.
After the call: write down the key points and send a short thank-you note the same day.
To save your cheat sheet: press Ctrl+P (Windows) or Cmd+P (Mac) and choose Save as PDF. Only the cheat sheet prints. To copy it, select the text inside the cheat sheet and press Ctrl+C or Cmd+C.
How to Answer Each Type of Question
| Question type | How to answer |
|---|---|
| Tell me about yourself | Cover your current work, your top qualifications and why you fit the job |
| Why this job or company | Use specific details from the posting and the company’s own pages |
| Why are you looking | Keep it about your career goals, stay positive about your employer |
| Salary | Give a flexible range after researching pay. Negotiation usually comes after an offer |
| Start date | Know your notice terms. If you are unemployed, as soon as possible is typical |
| Scenario or test question | Ask for a moment to think, ask clarifying questions and aim to answer in under 30 seconds |
| Other interviews | Be honest but brief, with no details |
| Do you have questions | Ask about a typical day and the next steps |
Phone Interview Tips: Before, During and After
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Before | Confirm the time, time zone, who will call and which number they will use |
| Before | Research the job description, the company website and recent news |
| Before | Practice common answers out loud and prepare 2 or 3 questions to ask |
| Before | Pick a quiet spot with a good signal and an outlet, and charge your phone |
| Before | Keep brief bullet points and your resume in front of you, not a full script |
| During | Answer promptly, introduce yourself clearly and speak at a steady pace |
| During | Pause before you answer so you do not interrupt, and ask the interviewer to repeat anything you missed |
| During | Smile, because others can hear it in your voice |
| After | Write down the key points and send a short thank-you note the same day if you can |
| After | If you have heard nothing after about a week, send a polite check-in |
Mistakes to Avoid
- Reading a script. Use short notes and sound natural.
- Taking the call in a noisy place. Pick a quiet spot with a good signal.
- Interrupting. Pause before you speak.
- Negative talk about an employer. Stay positive.
- Typos. Proofread twice.
Phone Interview Checklist
Tick each item as you finish. You are ready when the counter reaches 10.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common phone interview questions?
Tell me about yourself, why you are applying, why you want to work here, why you are looking, your salary expectations and when you can start. Indeed also lists questions about other interviews and your resume.
How long should my answers be?
Keep most answers short and clear. Indeed advises answering scenario questions in under 30 seconds. Practice out loud so that your answers sound natural.
Can I use notes during a phone interview?
Yes. Indeed notes that unlike an in-person interview, you can keep your resume and notes in front of you. The Muse advises brief bullet points, not a full script.
What should I say when asked about salary?
Indeed advises giving a range that shows flexibility, after you research typical pay. Negotiation usually comes after an offer.
What should I do before the call?
Confirm the time and time zone, find a quiet spot with a good signal, charge your phone, review the job description and prepare 2 or 3 questions.
How do I sound confident on the phone?
Smile, speak at a steady pace and pause before you answer. Indeed notes that others can hear a smile.
What if I do not understand a question?
Politely ask the interviewer to repeat it, as The Muse advises. For scenario questions, ask for a moment to think.
Should I ask questions at the end?
Yes. Indeed suggests asking what a typical day looks like and when you might hear about next steps.
Should I send a thank-you note after a phone interview?
Yes. The Muse advises sending a short note the same day if possible, or the next day at the latest, and mentioning specific topics from the call.
When should I follow up if I have not heard back?
The Muse suggests a polite check-in if you have not heard anything after about a week.
Conclusion
A good phone interview is short, clear and prepared. Know your top three points, keep notes in front of you and end with a question or two. Use the builder above to make your cheat sheet today.
Related Reading
- What is your greatest weakness: best answers
- Reasons for leaving a job: interview answers
- Thank you letter after a telephone interview
- Email about the status of an interview
Sources: Indeed Career Guide, 15 Common Phone Interview Questions (With Example Answers). The Muse, 22 Phone Interview Tips to Help You Nail the Call. The sample answers, people, employers, pay and numbers are fictional.