Questions to Ask Interviewer During Phone Screen
Strategic questions to ask during phone screen interviews to demonstrate your interest, gather important information, and advance to the next stage.
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
Shows your interest in understanding the role and helps you assess whether the position aligns with your skills and career goals.
2What'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
Helps you understand the working environment and team dynamics, which is important for assessing cultural fit and collaboration opportunities.
3What are the biggest challenges this role will face?
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What are the biggest challenges this role will face?
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Why this works
Demonstrates your problem-solving mindset and helps you understand the context and obstacles you'll be working to address.
4What's the company culture like and how does it influence daily work?
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What's the company culture like and how does it influence daily work?
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Why this works
Shows your interest in cultural fit and helps you understand the organizational environment and values.
5What opportunities are there for professional development and growth?
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What opportunities are there for professional development and growth?
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Why this works
Demonstrates your commitment to growth and helps you understand the learning and advancement opportunities available.
6What's the typical career path for someone in this role?
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What's the typical career path for someone in this role?
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Why this works
Shows your long-term thinking and helps you understand the potential career progression and advancement opportunities.
7What's the most rewarding aspect of working in this role?
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What's the most rewarding aspect of working in this role?
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Why this works
Helps you understand what motivates current employees and what you might find most fulfilling about the position.
8How do you measure success in this role?
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How do you measure success in this role?
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Why this works
Shows your focus on results and helps you understand the performance metrics and expectations for success.
9What's the work-life balance like for this position?
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What's the work-life balance like for this position?
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Why this works
Helps you understand the time commitment and scheduling expectations, which is important for work-life balance planning.
10What's the company's approach to innovation and change?
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What's the company's approach to innovation and change?
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Why this works
Shows your interest in organizational development and helps you understand how the company approaches change and innovation.
11What 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
Helps you understand the timeline and process, ensuring you know what to expect and how to prepare for the next stage.
12What's the company's mission and how does this role contribute to it?
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What's the company's mission and how does this role contribute to it?
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Why this works
Shows your interest in the company's purpose and helps you understand how your role fits into the broader organizational goals.
13What's the most important quality for success in this role?
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What's the most important quality for success in this role?
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Why this works
Reveals their perspective on what makes a successful employee and helps you understand the key qualities they value.
14How do you handle feedback and performance management?
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How do you handle feedback and performance management?
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Why this works
Shows your interest in professional development and helps you understand the company's approach to performance management.
15What's the company's approach to diversity and inclusion?
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What's the company's approach to diversity and inclusion?
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Why this works
Shows your awareness of important workplace topics and helps you understand the company's commitment to equity and inclusion.
16What's the most challenging aspect of this role?
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What's the most challenging aspect of this role?
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Why this works
Helps you understand the real challenges and obstacles you'll be facing, allowing you to assess your readiness and interest.
17How do you typically communicate with team members and stakeholders?
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How do you typically communicate with team members and stakeholders?
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Why this works
Helps you understand the communication culture and expectations, which is important for collaboration and relationship building.
18What's the company's approach to remote work and flexibility?
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What's the company's approach to remote work and flexibility?
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Why this works
Shows your interest in work arrangements and helps you understand the company's policies on remote work and flexibility.
19What's the most important thing I should know about working here?
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What's the most important thing I should know about working here?
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Why this works
Gives them a chance to share what they think is most important for you to know, providing valuable insights about the company and role.
20What questions do you have about my background or experience?
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What questions do you have about my background or experience?
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Why this works
Shows your openness to discussion and helps you understand what aspects of your background they're most interested in exploring.
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
Have your questions ready before the call. This shows you're prepared and ensures you don't forget to ask important questions.
Listen Actively
Pay attention to their answers and ask follow-up questions. This shows you're engaged and helps you gather more detailed information.
Take Notes
Take notes during the conversation to help you remember important details and prepare for follow-up conversations.
Question Sequences
The Role Understanding Sequence
The Culture and Growth Sequence
Common Pitfalls
Don't Ask About Compensation Too Early
While salary is important, don't make it the first question. Focus on understanding the role and company culture first.
Don't Ask Generic Questions
Avoid questions that could apply to any job. Ask specific questions about the role, company, and team to show you've done your research.
Don't Rush the Conversation
Take time to listen to their answers and ask follow-up questions. Don't rush through your questions just to get them all asked.