Questions to Ask During Phone Screen Interview
Strategic questions to evaluate the role, company culture, and fit while demonstrating your interest and professionalism during phone screenings.
1What are the key responsibilities and expectations for this role?
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What are the key responsibilities and expectations for this role?
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Why this works
Clarifies the scope of the position and helps you understand what success looks like in the role.
2What does a typical day look like in this position?
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What does a typical day look like in this position?
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Why this works
Provides insight into daily tasks and helps you understand the practical aspects of the job.
3What are the biggest challenges someone in this role would face?
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What are the biggest challenges someone in this role would face?
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Why this works
Reveals potential obstacles and helps you assess whether you're prepared to handle the role's demands.
4What skills and experience are most important for success in this role?
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What skills and experience are most important for success in this role?
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Why this works
Helps you understand the key requirements and assess your fit for the position.
5What opportunities are there for growth and development?
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What opportunities are there for growth and development?
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Why this works
Shows your interest in long-term career development and helps you understand advancement opportunities.
6What's the team structure and who would I be working with?
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What's the team structure and who would I be working with?
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Why this works
Provides insight into team dynamics and helps you understand your working relationships.
7What's the company culture like?
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What's the company culture like?
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Why this works
Reveals the work environment and helps you assess cultural fit and alignment with your values.
8What are the next steps in the interview process?
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What are the next steps in the interview process?
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Why this works
Clarifies the hiring timeline and helps you understand what to expect moving forward.
9What do you enjoy most about working at this company?
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What do you enjoy most about working at this company?
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Why this works
Gives insight into the positive aspects of the company and can reveal what makes it a great place to work.
10What are the company's goals and priorities for the next year?
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What are the company's goals and priorities for the next year?
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Why this works
Shows your interest in the company's direction and helps you understand how your role fits into broader goals.
11How does this role contribute to the company's success?
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How does this role contribute to the company's success?
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Why this works
Helps you understand the importance of the position and how your work would impact the organization.
12What are the performance expectations and how is success measured?
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What are the performance expectations and how is success measured?
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Why this works
Clarifies how your performance would be evaluated and what metrics matter most.
13What training and support would be available for someone new to this role?
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What training and support would be available for someone new to this role?
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Why this works
Shows your interest in learning and helps you understand the onboarding process.
14What are the biggest opportunities for this role in the next 6-12 months?
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What are the biggest opportunities for this role in the next 6-12 months?
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Why this works
Reveals potential projects and challenges that could be exciting and rewarding.
15How does the company support work-life balance?
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How does the company support work-life balance?
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Why this works
Shows your interest in employee well-being and helps you understand the company's approach to work-life balance.
16What are the company's values and how do they influence daily work?
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What are the company's values and how do they influence daily work?
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Why this works
Helps you understand the company's culture and whether your values align with theirs.
17What are the biggest challenges facing the company right now?
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What are the biggest challenges facing the company right now?
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Why this works
Shows your interest in the company's situation and helps you understand the context for your potential role.
18How does the company approach innovation and change?
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How does the company approach innovation and change?
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Why this works
Reveals the company's attitude toward new ideas and helps you understand their approach to growth and development.
19What are the company's plans for growth and expansion?
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What are the company's plans for growth and expansion?
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Why this works
Shows your interest in the company's future and helps you understand potential opportunities for advancement.
20Is there anything else you'd like me to know about this role or the company?
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Is there anything else you'd like me to know about this role or the company?
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Why this works
Gives the interviewer a chance to share additional information and shows your interest in learning more.
Best Practices for Phone Screen Interviews
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Best Practices
Prepare Your Questions in Advance
Write down your questions beforehand and have them ready to reference during the call to ensure you don't forget anything important.
Listen Actively and Take Notes
Pay attention to their responses and take notes so you can follow up on interesting points and remember key details.
Show Genuine Interest
Ask questions that demonstrate your interest in the role and company, not just questions that benefit you.
Question Sequences
The Role Understanding Sequence
The Company Culture Sequence
Common Pitfalls
Don't Ask About Salary Too Early
Avoid asking about compensation in the first phone screen. Focus on the role and company fit first.
Avoid Generic Questions
Don't ask questions you could easily find on the company website. Ask specific, thoughtful questions that show your research.
Don't Dominate the Conversation
Balance asking questions with listening to their responses. Don't turn it into an interrogation.