A phone interview can feel less formal than a face-to-face interview, but it still matters. Employers often use phone interviews to check your experience, communication skills, availability and interest before deciding who to invite to the next stage.
Preparing properly can help you sound calm, confident and focused. This guide explains how to prepare for a phone interview, what to have ready, how to answer common questions and what to do after the call.
What is a phone interview?
A phone interview is an interview carried out over the phone instead of in person or by video. It may be a short screening call with a recruiter, or it may be a full interview with a hiring manager.
Phone interviews are often used to check:
- Your experience
- Your interest in the role
- Your communication skills
- Your availability
- Your salary expectations
- Your notice period
- Whether you understand the job
- Whether you should move to the next stage
Even if the call is short, treat it seriously. A strong phone interview can help you reach the next stage of the hiring process.
Confirm the interview details
Before the phone interview, make sure you know exactly when the call is happening and who is calling. If the employer has not confirmed the details clearly, it is fine to ask politely.
Check:
- Date and time
- Who will call who
- The phone number they will use
- The name of the interviewer
- The job title you are interviewing for
- How long the call is expected to last
If you are applying to several jobs, tracking these details can stop you mixing up interviews. You may find How to Track Job Applications Properly useful.
Choose a quiet place
Your environment can affect how confident and professional you sound. Try to take the call somewhere quiet, with good signal and as few interruptions as possible.
Before the call:
- Choose a quiet room
- Turn off background noise
- Tell people nearby that you have an interview
- Check your phone signal
- Charge your phone
- Keep a charger nearby if needed
- Avoid taking the call while travelling if possible
If you cannot avoid some background noise, explain briefly at the start and stay focused.
Research the employer
You do not need to memorise the company’s full history, but you should understand what the employer does and why the role interests you.
Look up:
- What the company does
- Its products or services
- The job responsibilities
- The skills they are asking for
- The location or remote working setup
- Any recent updates on the company website
This helps you answer questions more clearly and show that you are genuinely interested.
Read the job advert again
Before the call, read the job advert carefully. Many phone interview questions are based on the responsibilities and requirements in the advert.
Look for:
- Main duties
- Required experience
- Important skills
- Working hours
- Location
- Salary information
- Contract type
- Training or progression details
Keep the advert open or printed during the call if possible. This is one advantage of a phone interview: you can have notes in front of you.
Have your CV nearby
The interviewer may ask about your CV, previous roles, skills or gaps in employment. Keep your CV nearby so you can answer accurately without guessing dates or details.
Have ready:
- Your CV
- The job advert
- A few notes about the employer
- Examples of relevant experience
- Questions you want to ask
- A pen and paper for notes
If your CV needs improving before future interviews, you can use the TavaJobs CV Builder to make it clearer and easier to tailor.
Prepare answers to common phone interview questions
Phone interviews often include simple but important questions. Preparing your answers can help you sound confident without sounding scripted.
Common questions include:
- Can you tell me about yourself?
- Why are you interested in this job?
- What experience do you have?
- Why are you leaving your current role?
- What are your strengths?
- What are your weaknesses?
- What are your salary expectations?
- When could you start?
- Are you available for an interview in person or by video?
You can also read How to Prepare for a Job Interview for wider interview preparation.
Prepare a short “tell me about yourself” answer
Many phone interviews start with a question like “Tell me about yourself.” Keep your answer short and relevant to the job.
A simple structure is:
- Your current situation or recent experience
- Your most relevant skills
- Why this role interests you
For example:
“I have experience in customer service and administration, mainly supporting customers by phone and email. I am organised, calm under pressure and confident using online systems. This role interests me because it would let me use those skills in a busy team while continuing to develop.”
For more help, read How to Answer “Tell Me About Yourself” in a Job Interview.
Think of examples before the call
Employers may ask for examples of how you have handled certain situations. Before the interview, prepare a few examples you can use for different questions.
Useful examples could include:
- Helping a customer
- Solving a problem
- Working in a team
- Handling pressure
- Learning something new
- Meeting a deadline
- Dealing with a difficult situation
- Using communication skills
Keep examples short and focused. Explain the situation, what you did and what happened as a result.
Smile and speak clearly
Your voice matters in a phone interview because the interviewer cannot see your body language. Speaking clearly, calmly and with energy can make a big difference.
During the call:
- Speak slightly slower than normal
- Smile when appropriate
- Avoid interrupting
- Listen carefully to each question
- Ask for clarification if needed
- Keep answers focused
- Avoid eating, typing loudly or walking around
If you did not hear a question properly, ask them to repeat it. That is better than answering the wrong question.
Take notes during the interview
Taking notes can help you remember important details and prepare for the next stage. Keep it simple so you are still listening properly.
Note down:
- Important job details
- Interviewer’s name
- Next steps
- Any dates mentioned
- Questions you want to ask later
- Anything you need to send after the call
After the call, add these details to your job application tracker.
Prepare questions to ask
At the end of the phone interview, you may be asked whether you have any questions. Having one or two questions ready shows interest and helps you understand the role better.
You could ask:
- What does a typical day in this role look like?
- What training is provided?
- What are the next steps after this call?
- What skills are most important for success in this role?
- How soon are you hoping the successful candidate can start?
For more ideas, read Questions to Ask at the End of an Interview.
Know your availability and notice period
Phone interviews often include practical questions. Be ready to explain when you could start, what hours you can work and whether you have a notice period.
Prepare answers for:
- Your notice period
- Your availability for shifts
- Your availability for a second interview
- Whether you can work weekends or evenings
- Whether you can travel to the workplace
- Whether you are looking for full-time, part-time, remote or hybrid work
If you are looking for flexible work, you may find How to Find Part-Time Jobs Near You useful.
Follow up after the call
After the phone interview, write down what happened and send any information the employer requested. If the call went well, a short thank-you email can also be helpful.
After the call:
- Update your application tracker
- Save the interviewer’s details
- Write down the next steps
- Send any requested documents
- Prepare for the next interview stage
- Follow up politely if the employer misses the response date
If you need help with follow-up wording, read How to Follow Up After a Job Interview.
Use job alerts to find more interview opportunities
If you are not getting many phone interviews, review the jobs you are applying for and whether your CV matches the advert. Job alerts can help you find suitable roles earlier so you can apply with more focus.
Useful searches include:
Quick phone interview checklist
- Confirm the time and phone number
- Choose a quiet place
- Charge your phone
- Research the employer
- Read the job advert again
- Keep your CV nearby
- Prepare common answers
- Think of examples
- Prepare questions to ask
- Take notes during and after the call
Ready to prepare for your next interview?
Use TavaJobs to improve your CV, search suitable jobs and set up alerts for roles that match your experience.
Final thoughts
A phone interview is your chance to make a strong first impression before the next stage. Prepare your notes, choose a quiet place, read the job advert and practise clear answers to common questions.
You do not need to sound perfect. You need to sound prepared, interested and suitable for the role. A calm, focused phone interview can help you move closer to a job offer.
FAQs
How do I prepare for a phone interview?
Choose a quiet place, charge your phone, read the job advert, research the employer, keep your CV nearby and prepare answers to common interview questions.
What should I have with me during a phone interview?
Have your CV, the job advert, notes about the company, a pen and paper, and questions you want to ask the interviewer.
How long does a phone interview usually last?
Some screening calls last 10 to 20 minutes, while fuller phone interviews may take 30 minutes or more. The employer may tell you the expected length in advance.
Should I follow up after a phone interview?
Yes, if appropriate. A short thank-you message or polite follow-up can be useful, especially if the employer gave a response date and you have not heard back.
What should I avoid in a phone interview?
Avoid taking the call in a noisy place, interrupting, giving very long answers, sounding unprepared or forgetting which job you applied for.
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