Most companies that seek employees online prefer phone calls or Zoom meetings to conduct interviews online, especially for remote work positions. It is part of a job application that helps candidates get more idea about the job description and company values.
If you are also applying actively and getting emails for phone calls, this is the time to get a grip on essential questions to ask a recruiter on a phone interview.
Positive Realist have career and interview prep coaches who can help you learn how to communicate effectively on a phone call. With professional interview preparation, you may perfect the art of interviewing, impress hiring managers, and secure your ideal job.
Book an appointment today and be confident in your abilities in your next call.
Read: 10 Powerful Signs You Didn’t Get The Job
What is a Phone Interview?
A phone interview is the fundamental part of any job application process that is beneficial for both the recruiter and the interviewer to clear their doubts.
While the recruiter asks questions about the candidate’s education, skills, and previous work experience, the candidate has all the right to ask for more details about the job description, company values, and future goals.
A phone interview acts as a bridge between a company and their subsequent employer to get them the information test they are seeking.
Moreover, it is an effective way to hire employees online without wasting time and energy in face-to-face interviews.
The candidates must be well-prepared for the recruiter’s questions to ask candidates in the interview and the questions that they must ask the employee or the interviewer before saying yes to the next position.
It will help them self-reflect and think deeply about the company and its position. Here, we will share a list of questions to ask during a phone interview with HR.
One can modify these questions according to their job description, but still, they add impact on the interviewer:
1: What are the day-to-day responsibilities of the job?
Although the job description provides an overview of the activities that an employee has to perform, if you want to get a clear picture, you must ask the recruiter about the job responsibilities.
You must ask the recruiter some follow-up questions to make your question stronger, such as:
- How will the time be divided for different tasks?
- What’s going on with projects and assignments at the moment?
- Which activities are more critical to perform?
Listen to the interviewer carefully and determine if the reality of this job aligns with your skills, strengths, and preferences.
2: What qualities are you looking for in the ideal candidate?
The question must be asked to check what you need more. The recruiter will describe their wish list based on their desired skills, experiences, and other things they are looking for.
Respond to their examples and tell them how you fit perfectly for this role.
3: Who would be my intermediate supervisor?
Ask about your supervisor to identify the person who will evaluate your work and train you throughout this role.
It is one of the essential questions to ask recruiters during screening interviews so that you can prepare yourself beforehand to build a strong connection with your supervisor.
Additionally, if you need help understanding your supervisor’s role, you can search them online on specific platforms and get to know their previous job experiences and current job responsibilities.
It will help you get a heads-up about that person and will be beneficial soon.
4: What is the next step of the hiring process?
Knowing the steps of the hiring process can help you prepare for future interactions, as some companies conduct two or three interviews before final decisions.
In addition, you will be mentally prepared for the next step and can prepare yourself well.
5: Can you describe the company’s culture?
You must add this question to the list of questions to ask a recruiter for an internal position, as it will help you better understand the company’s work environment.
You can learn about the weekly meetings, traditions at their company, game nights, birthday celebrations, and more.
Consider the recruiter’s response to decide if you want the organization’s work environment.
6: What’s the salary for this role?
This is one of the most asked questions for the recruiter during a phone interview, as organizations mostly have a budget range for different roles. In fact, the recruiter may ask about your salary expectations.
Do some research before appearing in the phone interview, and also add your location, experience, and expectations to come up with a market-competitive salary package.
7: What is your organization’s remote work policy?
After the hit of the pandemic, remote work roles have become common, and many companies are only looking for remote workers.
Moreover, even if the job requires you to be in the office, some companies also allow employees to work remotely a few days out of the year.
So, in the phone interview, ask in detail about all the possibilities to work from home.
8: How does this role contribute to the company’s goals?
The important thing is to know if your job aligns with the company’s objectives. It demonstrates that you are interested in making a valuable addition to the company and not only going through the motions.
You can make your question strong with follow-up questions such as:
- What projects will I be responsible for?
- How will I be working on company goals?
The recruiter’s response will be enough for you to ask further questions or not. It will be beneficial for you to understand better if this role is a fit for your skills and interests.
Read: 6 Expert Tips To Prepare For An Informal Interview In 2024
Wrapping up:
To sum up, one must prepare the questions to ask the recruiter after the interview to clarify doubts. Make sure to ask authentic questions that make sense. Start with greetings and end the phone interview with kind words.
FAQs
How can I impress a recruiter in a phone interview?
To impress the recruiter, follow the timetable:
- Be active and responsive.
- Make sure you have a stable network and internet for phone interviews.
- Be an active listener and think twice before speaking.
- Ask follow-up questions to understand things.
What kind of questions do recruiters ask in phone interviews?
Mostly, the recruiters want to know your qualifications, skill set, job experiences, and salary expectations. Moreover, they will be interested in how you will add to the company’s goals and missions.
How do you start a conversation with a recruiter on the phone?
Always start the conversation with greetings and try to be professional. Give them space to ask maximum questions. You can share your concerns once the recruiter has asked all the questions.
