Questions to Ask During Phone Screen Interview

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.

1

What are the key responsibilities and expectations for this role?

Clarifies the scope of the position and helps you understand what success looks like in the role.

2

What does a typical day look like in this position?

Provides insight into daily tasks and helps you understand the practical aspects of the job.

3

What are the biggest challenges someone in this role would face?

Reveals potential obstacles and helps you assess whether you're prepared to handle the role's demands.

4

What skills and experience are most important for success in this role?

Helps you understand the key requirements and assess your fit for the position.

5

What opportunities are there for growth and development?

Shows your interest in long-term career development and helps you understand advancement opportunities.

6

What's the team structure and who would I be working with?

Provides insight into team dynamics and helps you understand your working relationships.

7

What's the company culture like?

Reveals the work environment and helps you assess cultural fit and alignment with your values.

8

What are the next steps in the interview process?

Clarifies the hiring timeline and helps you understand what to expect moving forward.

9

What do you enjoy most about working at this company?

Gives insight into the positive aspects of the company and can reveal what makes it a great place to work.

10

What are the company's goals and priorities for the next year?

Shows your interest in the company's direction and helps you understand how your role fits into broader goals.

11

How does this role contribute to the company's success?

Helps you understand the importance of the position and how your work would impact the organization.

12

What are the performance expectations and how is success measured?

Clarifies how your performance would be evaluated and what metrics matter most.

13

What training and support would be available for someone new to this role?

Shows your interest in learning and helps you understand the onboarding process.

14

What are the biggest opportunities for this role in the next 6-12 months?

Reveals potential projects and challenges that could be exciting and rewarding.

15

How does the company support work-life balance?

Shows your interest in employee well-being and helps you understand the company's approach to work-life balance.

16

What are the company's values and how do they influence daily work?

Helps you understand the company's culture and whether your values align with theirs.

17

What are the biggest challenges facing the company right now?

Shows your interest in the company's situation and helps you understand the context for your potential role.

18

How does the company approach innovation and change?

Reveals the company's attitude toward new ideas and helps you understand their approach to growth and development.

19

What are the company's plans for growth and expansion?

Shows your interest in the company's future and helps you understand potential opportunities for advancement.

20

Is there anything else you'd like me to know about this role or the company?

Gives the interviewer a chance to share additional information and shows your interest in learning more.

Want to learn more?

Best Practices for Phone Screen Interviews

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

1
What are the key responsibilities and expectations for this role?
2
What does a typical day look like in this position?
3
What are the biggest challenges someone in this role would face?
4
What skills and experience are most important for success in this role?

The Company Culture Sequence

1
What's the company culture like?
2
What do you enjoy most about working at this company?
3
What are the company's values and how do they influence daily work?
4
How does the company support work-life balance?

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.

Conversation Templates

The Professional Inquiry

1
Step 1: Start with: "What are the key responsibilities and expectations for this role?"
2
Step 2: Follow with: "What does a typical day look like in this position?"
3
Step 3: Deepen with: "What are the biggest challenges someone in this role would face?"
4
Step 4: Conclude with: "What are the next steps in the interview process?"

Further Reading

"The Interview Question and Answer Book" by James Innes
"Knock 'em Dead" by Martin Yate
"The Complete Interview Answer Guide" by James Innes
LinkedIn Learning interview preparation courses