This document provides guidance on preparing for and succeeding in a phone interview. It discusses researching the company and position, preparing answers to common questions, preparing questions to ask, and ensuring your environment is optimal. The key steps are to research thoroughly, craft strong answers to typical questions, and prepare both questions for the interviewer and your environment so you can make a great impression despite not being in-person.

1. How to Shine
On Your
Phone Interview
Welcome!
We will start promptly at 12:00pm

2. Enough about Us.
Let’s Get Down to Business
Introduction to
Phone
Interviews
Key Steps
BEFORE The
Call
Key Steps
DURING The
Call
Key Steps
AFTER The
Call
7

3. The Phone Interview
The Basics
8

4. Employers conduct phone interviews to
narrow their search
There could be a fundamental
mismatch between the company’s need
and the job seeker’s need. You can
figure this out quickly on the phone and
save everyone’s time
There are two basic types of phone
screens: scheduled and unscheduled
Your goal is to convince the interviewer
that you are worth pursuing further –
which can be difficult when all you have
to rely on is your own voice – no body
language, no visual cues
Phone Interview Basics
9

5. Scheduled vs. Unscheduled
Phone Interviews
“Is 
 g
 
?”
Most phone interviews are scheduled
ahead of time
An unscheduled phone interview never
works in your favor. If you’re caught by
surprise, schedule another time to talk
If you get an unscheduled call and
you’re not ready: “Great to hear from
you! I’m not at my desk right now and I
want to give this call the attention it
deserves. When can I call you back?”
When you’re in a job search, you never
know who will call and when it will
happen. Always answer your phone
professionally and have a professional
greeting on your voice mail
10

6. Prepare
Your
Environment
Prepare
Yourself
Prepare
Your
Answers
Prepare
Your
Questions
4 Keys: BEFORE the Phone Interview
11

7. Set the Stage for Success …
Prepare Your Environment
q Eliminate distracting background noises (TV, pets, kids, etc.)
q Turn off email notifications on your computer (visual or sound)
q Turn off message notifications on your cell phone (sounds or
vibrations)
q If using your cell phone at your home, turn off the ringer on your home
phone
q If using your home phone, turn off your cell phone
q Make sure you’re in an area with good reception
q Make sure your phone is fully charged
q If using a Blue Tooth (or other headset) make sure it’s charged and
ready to go
q Make sure you’re somewhere where you can talk for 20-30 minutes
without incident
q Don’t drive during a phone interview
12

8. Set the Stage for Success …
Prepare Your Environment – Your Desk
q Set aside a space for your conversation
q Pen, paper for taking notes
q Your resume/LinkedIn profile
q Your research
q Take advantage of the fact that you can’t be seen - your cheat sheet(s)
q How you would answer questions they might ask
q Questions you want to ask
q A brief bio on yourself
q Why you are the best for for the role
q Glass of water (should your mouth go dry or you get a frog in your throat)
13

9. What If You’re Currently Working
and You Need To Do a Phone Interview?
§ Most interviewers will understand that you have a job and as such you have
limited options for when and where you can chat
§ If it’s not too obvious, take the call in an office with the door closed or in a
empty conference room
§ it can feel a little awkward
§ you risk work-related interruptions
§ If you drive to work, take the call in your car (while parked, not while driving)
§ Try to go to a coffee shop or nearby park/quiet outdoor area
§ If you go somewhere like a coffee shop and you know there will be
background noise, just frame the conversation, something like this: “I
stepped out of work to take this call. I’m in a coffee shop and I hope there
won’t be much background noise, but you might hear some, I hope that’s
ok.”
14

10. Prepare Yourself
Dress for the Part
Take a deep breath &
calm your nerves
Be well rested
Use the restroom
Be ready 10
minutes early
Eat something
15

11. Prepare Yourself
16

12. Prepare your ANSWERS
Craft some killer answers to the
most commonly asked questions
Why do you want this role?
Tell me about yourself.
What are your strengths?
What salary are you looking
for?
Why did you leave x-y-z role?
What are you looking for in
your next job/company?
What do you know about this
position/our organization?
What makes you a fit for our
company/this position?
What questions do you have for
me?
Why are you considering
leaving your current employer?
17

13. Prepare your RESEARCH
Do Your Homework
18
Research the Company
• Primary mission or
purpose of the company
or organization
• Principal services or
products
• Latest annual sales or
revenue information
• Major competitors
• Organizational culture
(management style,
work environment,
structure)
• Trends in the industry or
field and the “hot” issues
Research the Position
• Major position
responsibilities
• Qualifications and
required skills
• Required training and
education
• Typical earnings,
advancement, career
path, and employment
outlook
• Opportunities for
continuing education
and training
Research Your
Interviewer
• Google them
• Use LinkedIn
• Also use Facebook and
Twitter
• Make note of anything
that could be useful
during your interview
• Look for ways to make
personal connections to
help you stand out
• Look for awards,
accomplishments that
you can congratulate
them on

14. Prepare your ANSWERS
Some pointers …
“Tell me about yourself”
• Don’t give a chronological history. Start with the present and the direct
experience you have that makes you a fit
• Keep your answer short and informative
“What are your strengths/weaknesses?”
• They want to know your own ability to assess your experience, work
style, and mistakes
• They also want to see how you think on your feet
• A great technique is to tell stories about how your skills helped you excel
• Engage them, but keep the answer brief
“Why do you want this job?”
• They want to know what you know about the job. They want to see if
you’ve done your homework. Have you gone above and beyond to study
the job & the organization?
19

15. Prepare your ANSWERS
Here’s a big one …
For more samples questions and answers, see our past webinar “Ace the Interview, Land
the Job” on our website at https://www.advancedresources.com/job-seeker-webinars/
“What
salary
are you
looking
for?”
• Interviewers just
want to know if
you’re asking for
more than the
position is paying.
• Never fully answer
this question.
• “I don’t have
enough information
yet to make a firm
determination but
your salary
requirements fall
within my range.”
20

16. Prepare your QUESTIONS
Be ready to ask several questions
What would I be doing on
the job?
Who supervises this
position?
At what stage in the
process are you?
What are the top three things
you’re seeking in the ideal
candidate?
Why is the position open?
Tell me about the rest of the
team.
What is the culture like in your
company?
How long have you been with
the company and what do you
like about working there?
What are the next steps in the
process?
What is the vision/future for the
company?
21

17. Prepare your QUESTIONS
Skip these questions …
Will I have to work overtime?
Are the working hours flexible?
Can I work from home?
Does this job require that I pass a drug screen?
How much does this position pay?
What type of health insurance does the company offer?
Is there public transportation in the company’s area?
22

18. Our Next Job
Seeker Webinar
Thursday, December 3
Tackling the Tough Interview Questions
Visit
https://www.advancedresources.com/events/
to register for this webinar!
34
An exclusive Job Seeker Webinar
Watch the full
webinar here:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/4764251320302786306