Questions to Ask on Initial Phone Interview
Strategic questions to ask during a phone screening to assess the role, company culture, next steps, and whether it's worth pursuing further.
1Can you give me an overview of the role and its main responsibilities?
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Can you give me an overview of the role and its main responsibilities?
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Why this works
Establishes a clear understanding of what the job entails.
2What does success look like in this position, especially in the first 90 days?
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What does success look like in this position, especially in the first 90 days?
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Why this works
Clarifies expectations and how performance will be measured.
3What are the most important skills or qualities you're looking for in a candidate?
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What are the most important skills or qualities you're looking for in a candidate?
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Why this works
Reveals priorities so you can emphasize relevant strengths.
4Why is this position open—is it a new role, backfill, or growth?
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Why is this position open—is it a new role, backfill, or growth?
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Why this works
Provides context on whether the role is stable or replacing someone who left.
5What's the team structure, and who would I be working with most closely?
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What's the team structure, and who would I be working with most closely?
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Why this works
Gives insight into collaboration and reporting relationships.
6Can you describe the company culture and work environment?
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Can you describe the company culture and work environment?
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Why this works
Surfaces whether the culture aligns with your values and work style.
7What are the biggest challenges facing the team or company right now?
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What are the biggest challenges facing the team or company right now?
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Why this works
Reveals pain points and whether you're equipped to address them.
8What does the career growth and development path look like?
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What does the career growth and development path look like?
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Why this works
Assesses whether there's room for advancement or if it's a dead-end role.
9What's the work-from-home or remote work policy?
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What's the work-from-home or remote work policy?
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Why this works
Clarifies flexibility and whether the setup matches your needs.
10What's the salary range for this position?
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What's the salary range for this position?
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Why this works
Saves time if the compensation doesn't align with your expectations.
11What are the next steps in the interview process, and what's the timeline?
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What are the next steps in the interview process, and what's the timeline?
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Why this works
Sets expectations for follow-up and how long the process will take.
12How many people are you interviewing for this role?
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How many people are you interviewing for this role?
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Why this works
Gauges competition and how selective the process is.
13What 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
Gets a personal perspective from the recruiter or hiring manager.
14Is there anything about my background that gives you pause or that I can clarify?
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Is there anything about my background that gives you pause or that I can clarify?
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Why this works
Surfaces concerns early so you can address them proactively.
15What's the onboarding process like for new hires?
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What's the onboarding process like for new hires?
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Why this works
Shows whether the company invests in setting people up for success.
16How 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
Assesses whether the environment is sustainable long-term.
17What are the company's goals for this year, and how does this role contribute?
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What are the company's goals for this year, and how does this role contribute?
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Why this works
Connects the role to the bigger picture and company direction.
18Can you tell me more about the interview team I'd be meeting?
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Can you tell me more about the interview team I'd be meeting?
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Why this works
Prepares you for the next round and who you'll be speaking with.
19What's the expected start date if an offer is extended?
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What's the expected start date if an offer is extended?
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Why this works
Clarifies urgency and whether the timeline works for you.
20Is there anything else I can provide or clarify to help move forward?
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Is there anything else I can provide or clarify to help move forward?
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Why this works
Shows eagerness and gives them a chance to request more information.
Nailing the Phone Screen
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.