How to Prepare for (and Ace) a Phone Screen Interview

Before the big, in-person interview with your (potential) future boss in your (potential) future office, you have to get through the screening interview. Usually taking place over the phone, though occasionally over video or in-person, a screening interview allows a recruiter or hiring manager to find out more about you and if you could be a good fit for the job.

Nailing the screening interview is key, as it’s the only way to advance to the next interview stage. Acing a phone interview depends on a few things – preparation and your performance during the interview. Be sure to research a company thoroughly beforehand (Read 6 Things to Know About a Company Before Your Interview) but keep these tips in mind as well:

Be confident and bring the energy!

You've already done one of the hardest parts of the job search process — landing the first interview! Today, not many applicants even get the opportunity to move forward in the hiring process after submitting an application, and knowing this, you should feel confident when heading into the discussion.

When going into a phone interview, it’s important that you showcase your energy. It can be hard to do this over the phone, so try to smile and speak enthusiastically as if you're in person. Sounding confident and upbeat will show you're truly engaged and interested and make you stand out. You can even think of it as bringing 25% more energy than the recruiter.

Be conscious of time.

Double-check when your screening interview is set to take place and be sure you know of any time zone differences. If the time zone was never specified and you’re unsure when to expect a recruiter’s call, send an email the day before to ensure you have the correct time on your calendar.

On the day of the interview, you should be ready for the call at least 10 minutes before its scheduled time to ensure you answer when the recruiter calls. You don’t want a missed call to cut into your interview time, and it doesn’t create a great impression if you aren’t prepared to talk at the scheduled time.

Lastly, leave a 15-minute buffer scheduled at the end of your interview. If a recruiter is running late, you don’t want to end a conversation that’s going well because you had a hard time cutoff.

Don’t over-complicate your answers.

Phone screens allow interviewers to get to know you beyond your resume. One of the things they’ll be listening for is your ability to answer questions concisely and stay on topic. To make a good impression on a phone screen, answer questions concisely. For example, if you’re asked to give a brief introduction, keep it short. If you’re worried you’re not providing enough information, offer to expand on anything you mentioned.

If you tend to ramble when you’re nervous, record yourself during a mock interview with a friend. You can answer simple questions like, “Tell me about yourself” or “Tell me about the key responsibilities at your last internship,” and listen for any areas where you need to tighten your explanation.

Use valuable resources during the interview.

With the phone screen being offline, don't be afraid to have the company's website or job description in front of you. It can be helpful to have this handy in case the interviewer asks about what specific details from the job posting or the company overall sparked your interest.

Get comfortable talking about your previous work experiences.

On a screen, you’ll be asked about your previous experiences. Practice walking through your resume, and be prepared to discuss the skills you gained from past roles. If the position you’re applying for is very different from your past experiences, be ready to explain why your skills are transferable and why you’re interested in this specific role.

Avoid bashing previous internships or jobs if they had anything to do with your decision, and instead, focus on what you gained from experience and how it informed your choice to switch roles or industries.

Don’t ask about salary, but come prepared with your own salary expectations.

Avoid being the first to bring up salary or benefits on a phone screen, as it can send the wrong message to the interviewer. However, be prepared with your salary expectations, as most recruiters will ask about them during the call. You should be able to find salary benchmarks online, or you can read our article on figuring out the pay you deserve here.

Close out the screening interview by asking intelligent questions.

The screening interview isn’t only for a recruiter to ask you questions. It’s also your chance to learn more about the company and its role. That being said, it can be really helpful to take notes during the conversation so you can make sure you aren’t asking something that has already been discussed, and so you can use this time meaningfully. 

Here are some questions to consider asking at the end of your phone interview:

• How would you describe the culture in the office?
• What are the near/mid/long-term goals of the company?
• What kind of team would I be working on? Is it collaborative or more individually focused?
• What traits have people that have been successful in the position demonstrated?  
• What are the key skills required in this position?
• How do you typically measure success in this role?
• What are the opportunities for professional development at the company?
• Where do people who have held this position usually end up next?
• What are the next steps in this process?

Follow-up quickly and appropriately.

Just like after any other interview, follow up within 24 hours, if not within 2 hours, of the conversation to thank the interviewer for their time and express your continued interest in the position. Be sure to include a specific example or two from the conversation.

Making a good impression in your screening interview is essential to progressing through the hiring process. Prepare ahead of time, answer your phone when a recruiter calls, speak confidently and concisely during the interview, and remember to follow up with your interviewer after the call thanking them for their time.

With these tips, you'll be sure to ace your phone screen interview and make it to the next round!

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