Due to the rising competition in today’s market, most employers conduct phone interviews to make the initial elimination of the candidates before inviting them for an in-person interview. Doing so provides them with a glimpse of the candidate’s qualifications, traits, and how well they would fit into their establishment. This article will guide you through the key questions to ask in English during phone interviews and how best to evaluate the responses received.

Key Questions to Ask in English During Phone Interviews

At times, phone interviews can prove to be less engaging which may negatively impact the evaluation of candidates. However, having good phone interview questions to use can assist in obtaining the information that is crucial. The below questions prove to be the best to achieve during a phone interview:

Tell Me About Yourself

One of the most common questions in any interview, and one that tells a lot about a candidate, is this one. Listen to the answer in detail, focusing on the following:

Do they speak on past professional tasks performed that are relevant?

Do they concentrate on personal milestones or business successes?

What is the overall image and impression constructed about them?

This question gives you insight into the candidate’s maturity, communication skills, and self-perception in terms of the career life.

What Do You Know About Our Company?

This question is clever in such a way that helps ease its answer. The answer will tell you:

How invested they are in researching for your business.

If at all they have any information regarding the values and products/services of the firm.

In-depth answers without much thought or clear hesitation generally indicate that the candidate is well-informed about your firm which means they have done their research and will be eager to work in your organization.

What Do You Know About the Job Role?

Any candidate is expected to understand the job in question and its responsibilities. With this question, you can find out whether the candidate:

Knows the various aspects of the role.

Has spent some time learning the scope of work provided in the job description.

Not having been able to provide a robust answer to this question may point towards ill preparation on the candidate’s side.

Why Are You Leaving Your Current Company?

This question speaks volumes about the candidate’s motivation. It gives you insights into:

Whether they are leaving due to a positive experience or negative experience.

What they want in their prospective job.

A well thought out answer would suggest that the candidate is reflecting on areas from which they can challenge or grow from while not simply trying to avoid the position they currently hold.

Explain the Company You Enjoy Working for Most

This question looks to see the candidate’s preferences and expectations relating to a work environment. Some key elements to observe:

The candidate’s reports depict that he or she expresses in detail appreciation towards a particular work aspect.

They may blend well into the culture of your firm.

Steer clear from candidates talking about a work culture that is in contradiction with your company’s values.

What is Your Motivation for Wanting to Work at Cuthbert & Sons?

This question is aimed at measuring the candidate’s motivation and dedication. It highlights whether they find the company within your brand some attractive unique position or simply a career stepping stone. A suitable answer will contain:

Good interest towards acceptance of the position.

Familiarity with the company culture and ethos.

Are There Any Questions You Wish to Ask Me?

This broad question cuts across and into diverse fields framing and presenting questions in every context and gives the candidate room to zone in on singular focal areas like interests and talents. Look for:

An indication of the candidate’s ability to come up with reasonable questions.

Wording of the questions further indicates their level of prominence or importance e.g. company culture and employment prospects.

Of concern, candidates with no questions to pose will usually be the least satisfactory engaged as you would expect.

What Salary Are You Looking For?

This is an important practical question. Knowing the candidate’s salary expectations will allow you to benchmark their expectations against your budget. This is also a chance to see whether the candidate:

Possesses a realistic expectation relative to their experience and skills.

Has knowledge regarding how the market rates this position.

What Is Your View On Working During Weekends?

This question may seem out of the ordinary but it can provide insight into the candidate’s work ethic and flexibility. For certain positions, the candidate may be required to perform work during weekends, thus it is important to ascertain if the candidate:

Is amenable to working during weekends when needed.

Possesses an adaptable attitude towards working hours.

Candidates who are adamant in their preference for weekends off may not be ideal candidates for positions that require some weekend work.

We Are Interviewing More Candidates For This Role. We Will Update You On The Result Of This Interview In Four Days.

Although this does not qualify as a question, it is a relevant component of the interview. Providing a timeframe within which the candidates can expect feedback:

Demonstrates professionalism as well as courtesy.

Guarantees that candidates are not left in the dark with regards to when they can expect a response.

It goes without saying that giving timely feedback helps to strengthen the company brand as a professional organization.

Final Thoughts

Professionalism: As the interviewer, you must take note of your tone and ensure that it remains neutral and courteous. Inform the candidate when will they receive the feedback.

Preparation: Assess the extent of the candidate’s preparation by inquiring about your company and the role in question.

Fit In: Determine whether the candidate’s values and work style will contribute positively to the workplace.

Steps to Prepare for Phone Interviews

To improve the quality of your phone interviews:

Prepare: Have the key queries at hand and readily accessible during the interview.

Evaluate: Pay attention to the candidate’s answers and take notes.

Follow Up: Provide the feedback as per the agreed upon timeline.

With the suggestions provided and answering these questions, proactive measures regarding hiring can be taken.

Conclusion

Knowing which questions to ask can help a great deal when trying to find the most suitable candidate. It is advisable to go through all the 10 questions given in the above set. These questions set will help when determining whether an applicant is appropriate for the company. Looking at these factors will enable you to pick candidates compatible with your company standards.

Keep in mind that phone interviews are your initial real chance to make a lasting impression on prospective employees. By adhering to these protocols, the hiring process will be seamless and effective.

Categories: English for Business